Helzberg School of Management

The goal of the BA in Economics is to prepare future leaders with the proper analytical, ethical and oral communication skills which are necessary to succeed withinall areas of economics. This is accomplished through offering students a solid foundation in economics to understand the complexities of the economy and how it impacts and is impacted by all other aspects of society. This is then complemented by selection of a track of study in economics and related courses that is more focused on a student’s individual interests and career aspirations. Upon completion students will be able to engage in evaluative and critical analysis of economic issues and determination and evaluation of relevant policies both in the general economic contexts as well as those in their chosen track. This prepares them for careers in their designated areas of interest as well as preparation for continued graduate study.

Policy: Global, National, and Industrial Track
The Policy track prepares students for either continued graduate study or careers immediately after graduation. Graduate programs include those in law, public administration, graduate social science programs such as in economics, political science, and sociology, interdisciplinary programs such as planning and urban development, environment and sustainability, economic development and development studies, and a wide variety of specialized administrative programs such as health administration. Students who decide to gain practical experience immediately up[on graduation from Rockhurst would find some of the best opportunities in manufacturing and agriculture firms, business services, health care, utility companies, state and local government, and federal and international regulatory agencies and international organizations.

Policy: Global, National, Industrial Track Requirements >

Major Courses
EC3000 Intermediate Macroeconomics
EC3100 Intermediate Microeconomics
One three credit hour undergraduate statistics-based course in
quantitative methods beyond BUS2200 or EC4500

Students should select two electives in each the global area and the
policy/industry area which include any of the following courses listed:

Global Courses
EC3400 The Developing World
EC4200 International Economics
EC4300 Political Economy
EC4940 Global Economic Issues

Policy/Industry Courses
EC3225 Health Care Issue
EC3300 Money and Banking
EC3750 Law and Economics
EC3800 Competitive Analysis
EC4001 Forecasting and Data Analysis

*EC4001, if chosen as one of the Policy/Industry electives, would satisfy the requirements for the undergraduate methods course. Should a student elect not to take forecasting as one of these courses, mathematical statistics, econometrics, or a course approved by the economics discipline coordinator would fulfill this requirement.

Related Upper-division Coursework
Twelve hours of related upper-division courses are also required and are to be chosen under the direction of the major advisor.

Those students who are preparing for entry into graduate studies in economics should also take at a minimum Calculus I and II and consider minoring or majoring in Mathematics. Dual degrees in Economics and Mathematics are an attractive preparation for graduate school in the field of Economics.

Financial Markets and Economic Analysis Track
The Financial Markets and Economic Analysis track prepares students for success withinboth the investments and the financial markets and institutions areas of finance. Consulting opportunities are prevalent in both investment management and asset planning. Banking, both commercial and retail, as well as investment banking offer an array of career choices. Investment management, including pension and trust management, offer future career choices. The global arena is becoming quite sophisticated, offering career choices in world portfolio investing including: the management of derivatives, hedge funds and venture capital organizations. Mergers and acquisition analysis is becoming popular within the investment fields. Careers in government are expanding within finance, since regulation is increasing due to the world stock market crash of 2008.

Financial Markets and Economic Analysis Track Requirements >

Major Courses
EC3000 Intermediate Macroeconomics
EC3100 Intermediate Microeconomics
EC4001 Forecasting and Data Analysis
FN4300 Financial Markets and Institutions
FN4110 Investments
FN4000 International Finance or EC4200 International Economics

Required Additional Upper-division Coursework
Required additional upper-division coursework will fulfill the prerequisite course requirements for the 5th year MBA program if the student receives a grade of C or better.

AC4500 Principles of Accounting** (or AC2000 and AC2100)***
FN3000 Essentials of Finance
MIS 3100 Management Information Systems
MK3000 Principles of Marketing

**AC4500 cannot be taken by BSBA majors to fulfill requirements for their degree. Students must have junior standing or be a post-baccalaureate pre-MBA student.
***Students who have substituted lower-division courses for upper-division courses must complete at least 12 HSOM upper-division credit hours to complete the required upper-division coursework.

Social Justice Track
The Social Justice track prepares students who want to take their study to the service of others whether it is directly, through organizations, or through the development and implementation of relevant policy. This particular mix of courses is foundation for work in non-for-profit or foundation based careers, governmental careers at all levels focused on social policy, faith based careers geared towards the service of others in society, and in firms conforming to the growing trend of for profit organizations creating their own in house justice based arms. Additionally this is ideal for students contemplating further study especially in interdisciplinary fields such as sustainability, development, and peace and justice studies. Finally, this track is ideal for students considering domestic or international volunteer experiences as part of their career formation path.

Social Justice Track Requirements >

Major Courses
EC3000 Intermediate Macroeconomics
EC3100 Intermediate Microeconomics
EC3400 The Developing World
EC4940 Global Economic Issues
EC3225 Health Care Issues: Economics and Policy
EC3750 Law and Economics

Required Related Upper-division Coursework*
Students select five of the following courses in consultation with their economics advisor and in consideration of their individualized interests and career aspirations.

CT 3850 Intercultural Communication
HS3820 Urban America
HS3925 Colonization, Nationalism, and Decolonization
PL4620 The Just War and International Ethics
PL4640 Justice within Society
PL4660 International Distributive Justice
PL4700 Seminar in Medical Ethics
TH 4280 Religion, Ethnicity, and Race
NP3070 Community Engagement

*Note: Some prerequisites are required for certain upper-division courses and must be taken prior to taking the upper-division courses required for the major.

Lower-division Requirements for all Tracks
EC2000 Principles of Macroeconomics
EC2100 Principles of Microeconomics
BUS1800 Microcomputer applications
BUS2200 Statistics