The economics major at UNH attracts students with curious minds who seek to better understand markets, public policy, and the business environment. Here, you'll discover how people, businesses, and governments make choices that shape our world and learn to tackle the big questions, like why some countries are rich while others struggle.
At UNH you'll build a strong base in economic theory and policy issues, with the flexibility to take a wide range of electives to meet your career goals. Then you'll use what you've discovered to work on important issues, from conflict and poverty to global trade.
Many students pair economics with another major to broaden their skill set, while others have their eyes on law school. By graduation, you'll be ready for whatever path you have chosen, including a career with many rewarding, challenging, and lucrative jobs.
What is economics?
Economics is the study of how societies organize themselves to produce goods and services and distribute those services among their members. It helps us understand how businesses decide what to produce and how much to charge. Economists also explore bigger questions, like why some countries are rich and others poor, and how government policies can affect the economy. They use concepts, models, and data to analyze efficiency of resource use, fairness of economic outcomes, and development of global and national economies.
Why study economics at UNH?
In the economics major at UNH you will learn economic theory, be introduced to the tools of economic analysis, and taught how to use these tools to better understand real-world issues relevant to business, public policy, and society. You will work with and analyze data, learn to argue logically and persuasively, and communicate both orally and in writing. You’ll have flexibility to pick elective courses or can choose from three options: global trade and finance, money and financial markets, or public policy and sustainability. An undergraduate major in economics is excellent preparation for many jobs and graduate work in economics, law, business and data analytics, and business administration. If you are interested in the 4+1 accelerated master’s in economics, your academic advisor can help you develop a personalized course of study.
Potential careers
- Banking or financial analyst
- Business consulting
- Data analytics
- Economic development
- Economic forecasting
- Environmental conservation
- Government administration
- Journalism
- Market research
- Non-Governmental Organization (NGO)
- Supply chain management
- Stock/commodities brokerage
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Curriculum & Requirements
Bachelor of Arts in Economics is designed to offer students the maximum flexibility in tailoring a program of study and provides a powerful platform for launching careers in almost all walks of life. Students are encouraged to take a wide variety of courses, double major, and take advantage of study abroad programs.
B.A. economics majors may select to focus their major electives to satisfy the requirements of one of the three options defined by the Department of Economics: Money and Financial Markets, Global Trade and Finance, or Public Policy and Sustainability.
Sample Degree Plan
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| ECON 402 or ECON 401 | Principles of Economics (Micro) or Principles of Economics (Macro) | 4 |
| ECON 501 | Business and Economic History | 4 |
| ENGL 401 | First-Year Writing | 4 |
| MATH 422 or MATH 424A | Mathematics for Business Applications or Calculus for Social Sciences | 4 |
| PAUL 405 | Freshman Academic Experience I | 1 |
| ADMN 403 | Computing Essentials for Business | 1 |
| Credits | 18 | |
| Spring | ||
| ECON 401 or ECON 402 | Principles of Economics (Macro) or Principles of Economics (Micro) | 4 |
| PHIL 431 | Business Ethics | 4 |
| Discovery | 4 | |
| Discovery | 4 | |
| PAUL 406 | Freshman Academic Experience II | 1 |
| Credits | 17 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| ECON 611 | Intermediate Macroeconomic Analysis | 4 |
| ADMN 510 | Business Statistics | 4 |
| Foreign Language | 4 | |
| Discovery | 4 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| ECON 605 | Intermediate Microeconomic Analysis | 4 |
| Foriegn Language | 4 | |
| Discovery | 4 | |
| Discovery | 4 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| Economics Elective | 4 | |
| Economics Elective | 4 | |
| Discovery | 4 | |
| Course selected in consultation with advisor 1 | 4 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| Economics Elective | 4 | |
| Course selected in consultation with advisor 1 | 4 | |
| Course selected in consultation with advisor 1 | 4 | |
| Course selected in consultation with advisor 1 | 4 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| ECON 774 | Senior Economics Seminar | 4 |
| Course selected in consultation with advisor 1 | 4 | |
| Course selected in consultation with advisor 1 | 4 | |
| Course selected in consultation with advisor 1 | 4 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| Economics Elective | 4 | |
| Course selected in consultation with advisor 1 | 4 | |
| Course selected in consultation with advisor 1 | 4 | |
| Course selected in consultation with advisor 1 | 4 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Total Credits | 131 | |
- 1
Students can explore a second option, second major, minor, or general electives.
Degree Requirements
All Major, Option and Elective Requirements as indicated.
*Major GPA requirements as indicated.
Major Requirements
B.A. economics majors must complete nine courses in economics plus ADMN 510 with a grade of at least C- (1.67) in each Paul College major course and an average grade of 2.0 or better in major courses.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Freshman Year | ||
| ECON 401 | Principles of Economics (Macro) | 4 |
| ECON 402 | Principles of Economics (Micro) | 4 |
| ECON 501 | Business and Economic History | 4 |
| ADMN 403 | Computing Essentials for Business | 1 |
| MATH 422 | Mathematics for Business Applications | 4 |
| or MATH 424A | Calculus for Social Sciences | |
| PAUL 405 | Freshman Academic Experience I | 1 |
| PAUL 406 | Freshman Academic Experience II | 1 |
| PHIL 431 | Business Ethics | 4 |
| Sophomore Year | ||
| ADMN 510 | Business Statistics | 4 |
| ECON 605 | Intermediate Microeconomic Analysis | 4 |
| or ECON 606 | Intermediate Microeconomics with Calculus | |
| ECON 611 | Intermediate Macroeconomic Analysis | 4 |
| Junior and Senior Years | ||
| ECON 774 | Senior Economics Seminar 1 | 4 |
| Select four (4) additional ECON electives 2 | 16 | |
| Total Credits | 55 | |
- 1
ECON 774 Senior Economics Seminar is the capstone course for the B.A. major and satisfies the capstone requirement of the University Discovery Program.
- 2
Specific electives for the BA Options must be chosen from an approved list of courses.
Coursework in accounting and econometrics is recommended but not required. B.A. economics majors may choose to focus their major electives to satisfy the requirements of one of the three options defined by the Department of Economics.
- Students have core proficiency in microeconomics. They understand key concepts including opportunity cost, marginal analysis, voluntary exchange, diminishing marginal returns, equilibrium and market structure.
- Students have core proficiency in macroeconomics. They understand key concepts including GDP, inflation, interest rates, business cycles, exchange rates, financial institutions and fiscal and monetary policy.
- Students have strong oral communication skills. This includes fundamental skills in preparing and delivering presentations, as well as being able to explain technical material clearly and concisely.
- Students are able to use economic models to understand real-world issues relevant to business, public policy and society.
- Students are able to communicate economic concepts clearly in writing. This involves having strong fundamental writing skills as well as being able to explain technical material clearly and concisely.
Explore Program Details
Students interested in our Economics major may also be interested in these advanced degree offerings:
- M.S. Economics (4+1 Accelerated Option)
- Ph.D. Economics
- Full-Time MBA or Online or Hybrid MBA
- Six MBA options are available, but not required: Finance, Information Systems & Business Analytics, Marketing, Global Business, Growth and Innovation, and Healthcare Industry
- Business Analytics Graduate Certification
Graduate with the skills you need to work with big companies that do business worldwide. You'll learn how trade rules affect countries, how to guess when money might lose value, and how cash gets around the world.
Understand money's role in society, analyze market fluctuations, and learn to manage risk using financial instruments like options and futures contracts. Emerge prepared for success in the financial sector.
Become someone who can leverage their business skills to make positive changes in the world. You'll study ways to solve big problems like climate change and unfair pay, and learn how money and laws can help or hurt the environment.
