The field of economics is very broad and can be applied many ways. Our graduates can do just about anything — government, law school, teaching or finance fields like insurance and banking. In the broadest sense, economics is the science of decision-making. You will learn how to identify the costs, benefits and consequences of a decision. Often identified with the study of market behavior, economists also study issues that affect the market such as criminal behavior, poverty, law, environmental control, population, voting and political behavior. Two colleges at WVU offer a major in Economics. You may earn a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Economics from the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences or a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Economics from the College of Business and Economics. Students earning a BS in Economics must take required courses in Economics (Intermediate Microeconomic Theory, Intermediate Macroeconomic Theory and American Economic History), as well as Economics electives, such as International Economics, Economic Development, Comparative Economic Systems, Econometrics, Mathematical Economics, Labor Economics, Money and Banking, and Public Economics. In addition to the courses in Economics, BS Economics students must take elective hours from the College of Business and Economics. Many take the introductory courses in each of the business areas, such as finance, management, marketing and business law, to get a basic introduction to business. Others concentrate in one or two areas. There is a great deal of flexibility to design a curriculum best suited to your interests. Many students choose to attend graduate school and place well into graduate programs. Recent graduates have gone on to attend Penn State Law on a full scholarship, intern with the Cleveland Indians and work as chief economist for the city of Quincy, Massachusetts
