What courses are required to complete the program?
For an Economics Major:
- Required Core Courses: ECON 110, ECON 111, 231, 232, 314, 410, 441, 499, and six hours selected from other 300- or 400-level courses in Economics.
- Required Related Courses: MATH 205 or 315 and 125 or 117.
- For the maximum of 36 hours permitted in the department, nine additional hours may be selected from other courses in Economics.
For an Economics Minor:
- ECON 110, 111, 231 or 232, MATH 125 or 117, and an additional nine hours selected from 200-, 300- or 400-level courses in Economics.
- Note: Finance majors who minor in Economics must take an additional 300- or 400-level Economics course. If they choose ECON 231 and ECON 410, then ECON 410 can double count as a substitute for BUSA 346 in the Finance major as well.
What employment opportunities are available with a degree in economics?
Economics provides an excellent background for students planning to pursue graduate work in business, international studies, public policy and law. Students with undergraduate or advanced degrees in economics may pursue a wide range of careers in both the private and public sectors. Private-sector opportunities include jobs in areas such as banking, finance, insurance, real estate, marketing, data management, general management and research and development. Opportunities in the public sector include jobs at the local, state or federal level of government or with organizations such as the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). Some graduates have also pursued careers in academia by going on to earn doctorates. Some have become entrepreneurs who operate their own business.
Recent graduates have obtained jobs at a variety of notable businesses including Morgan Stanley, PNC Bank, The Stevenson Company, Schneider Electric, General Electric and William Mercer.
Bellarmine graduates in economics have been awarded teaching or research scholarships to pursue doctoral degrees (typically in economics or finance) at Florida State, George Mason University, Miami University, North Carolina State University, Indiana University, The University of South Carolina and Mississippi State University.
Some of our recent graduates have chosen to complete law degrees at Indiana University, Michigan State University, the University of Louisville, Northern Kentucky University and the University of Kentucky.
Do you provide job or internship placement?
Yes. Bellarmine guarantees every student the opportunity to have an internship, develop a career plan and build a professional network. A sizeable percentage of economics majors pursue internships at local businesses or government internships in Frankfort or Washington. Internship opportunities are available at a number of notable businesses including Morgan Stanley, National City Bank, The Stevenson Company, Summit Energy, General Electric, William Mercer and Constellation Energy.
Are there any special requirements to remain in the program?
Yes. Students must achieve a minimum 2.00 GPA for all Rubel School courses (accounting, business, economics, and finance) taken in the Rubel School (not counting transfer courses) to graduate with an economics major.
Is financial aid available?
Yes. Please go to Bellarmine’s financial aid website for detailed information on financial aid packages. Additionally, students can work with our Faculty Development Center to apply for grants and awards outside of the Bellarmine offerings.
How many hours can I expect to spend studying outside of class time?
Students have their own learning styles so this can vary greatly. As a rule of thumb, expect to spend an average of two hours studying for every hour you spend in class.