Economics

An Economics major is a versatile degree that prepares students for careers in the business world as well as graduate study. The exposure to economic analysis (theoretical and empirical) makes Economics majors attractive to many job recruiters and graduate schools.

The skills taught to Economics majors provide a solid foundation and preparation for many business and technical occupations. Occupations that attract students with these kinds of skills include consulting firms, commercial banks, oil companies, investment firms, healthcare entities, and utility companies.

Economic majors are also attractive to various branches of the Federal, State, and Local governments. These agencies offer extensive employment opportunities for undergraduate Economics majors. For example, the Departments of Agriculture, Labor, Commerce, and Treasury are the biggest federal employers of Economics majors. At the State level, Corporation Commissions, Office of the State Treasurer, Office of Management and Budget, and the Department of Commerce are among the major recruiters. Other big recruiters of Economics majors include the Federal Reserve Banks and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.

OU offers two exceptional programs of study in Economics, one in the Dodge Family College of Arts and Sciences' Department of Economics and another in the Michael F. Price College of Business. Both give students an invaluable understanding of economic practice and theory. Price College's program is designed for students who plan to directly enter the business world or apply to a Master of Business Administration program. Students who are planning on applying to law school, medical school or an Economics doctoral program tend to choose the Arts and Sciences program. The degree requirements vary for each major, so students should choose based on their post-undergraduate expectations.

The Economics Club offers students from both programs the chance to interact and meet with faculty. Attendance of club activities allows students to find out more information on careers and research opportunities.

Both Price College and the Dodge Family College of Arts and Sciences Department of Economics have active internship programs to give students on-the-job training and foster development of career skills.

Economics students typically have interests in applied economics, economic theory, mathematics, history and business. High school preparation should include study in economics. 

Economics courses provide students with a good foundation in both analytical and quantitative analysis.

What Kind of career could I pursue?

• Consulting firms
• Banks
• Investment firms
• Government agencies
• Telecommunications companies
• International agencies
• Libraries and universities
• Data processing centers
• Information service agencies
• Professional and technical
      journals

What have our OU graduates done with their economics degree?

• Chief Economist, Oklahoma
      Employment Security
      Commission
• Total loss specialist, Farmers
      Insurance
• Economist, U.S. Department of
      Labor, Bureau of Labor and
      Statistics
• Economist, Oklahoma
      Department of Commerce
• Instructor of Economics, Seminole
      State College

• Economist, Asian Development
      Bank
• Director, Global Risk
      Management
• Economist, U.S. government
• International account manager,
      Bartech Dispensing Technology
• CEO, Apollo Resources
      International, Inc.