academic programs

Does it pay to go to college? What determines the interest rates on student loans? What causes bank failures? Does free trade between the U.S. and China benefit Americans? Why is the price of gas so high? Is current U.S. immigration policy good for the economy?

If you have ever thought about any of these questions, you have thought about questions economists study and try to answer. Economists use mathematical and statistical models to study how individuals, organizations and societies make choices about how to use limited resources to meet various needs and desires. The goal is to attain higher living standards and improve social welfare.

At Oregon State University the small size of economics classes encourages student-faculty interaction. As a student you will receive the personal attention that is characteristic of a liberal arts college as well as the academic benefits of a department with internationally recognized scholars, two of whom are among the top 250 scientists in the world. Our faculty publish in the top journals in economics and bring their cutting edge expertise into the classroom. You will learn about economic development and international trade and finance, resource and environmental economics, public economics, the economics of discrimination, industrial organization, productivity analysis, and managerial economics. You will also learn to approach important economic and social issues with theory and evidence, to think critically, to analyze problems, and to foresee the unexpected consequences of changes in economic conditions and public policy.

The department offers two undergraduate majors: a traditional economics major and a managerial economics option. This option is particularly suited for students interested in pursuing jobs or graduate study in business but with a more rigorous economics background than that given by a business degree. Undergraduate students in economics can enhance and extend their learning through internships and the University Honors program. Honors thesis topics have included the effect of the North American Free Trade Agreement on technology in Mexico, and the effect of oil price shocks on U.S. inflation. Economics students have also held internships at the Oregon Senate and the Oregon Affirmative Action Office. In addition, many students are members of the Economics Club, a student run organization that fosters discussion and debate among students and faculty.

At the graduate level, the Department participates in the Master of Public Policy (MPP) and the Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies (MAIS). Current students in the graduate program in economics can find information about program requirements at this link.

Solid analytical skills, logical thinking and a rigorous economics curriculum prepare our graduates for advanced study and a broad range of careers. Some of our graduates are stock brokers, economic consultants, business economists, and academic economists. Others have gone on to graduate school in economics, law, public policy, and business administration at institutions such as the University of Arizona, University of California at Santa Barbara, Georgetown University, London School of Economics, University of Michigan, University of Pennsylvania, University of Texas-Austin, and Willamette University.

Useful links for students interested in information about graduate school and the economics profession include:

American Economic Association
American Economic Association (pertinent to undergraduate economics students)
Job Openings for Economists