Embrace a major that will take you anywhere through an understanding of how a society uses its limited resources, and how its people deal with the production, distribution and consumption of goods and services. Economics is one of the most in demand majors in today’s job market. In this major you will take the core courses in our B.A. Economics program with a focus on global trade and finance.
What is the global trade and finance option in the B.A. economics major?
This option explores the global trade and financial systems and their importance for understanding macroeconomics and business activity, foreign direct investments and other international capital flows, globalization, economic growth and development, international financial markets, and currency fluctuations and risk.
Why study global trade and finance at UNH?
In this option in the B.A. economics major you’ll learn about the role of the World Trade Organization (WTO), the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and other institutions undergirding the global economy. You’ll develop institutional knowledge and analytical skills to study some of the most hotly debated issues of our day, including free-trade policies such as the North American Free Trade Agreement and WTO, global financial crises, Basel III and other financial reforms, European monetary union, and international policy coordination.
Potential careers
- Commercial and investment banking
- Financial trading
- Portfolio management
- Security analysis
Research and analysis position with:
- Federal Reserve System
- International Monetary Fund
- U.S. State Department
- U.S. Trade Administration
- World Bank
- World Trade Organization
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Curriculum & Requirements
The Option in Global Trade and Finance (B.A. degree) studies the global trade and financial systems and their importance for understanding macroeconomics and business activity, foreign direct investments and other international capital flows, globalization, economic growth and development, international financial markets, and currency fluctuations and risk.
Students will learn about the role of the World Trade Organization (WTO), the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and other institutions undergirding the global economy. Students will develop institutional knowledge and analytical skills to study some of the most hotly debated issues of our day, including free-trade policies such as the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and WTO, global financial crises, Basel III and other financial reforms, European monetary union, and international policy coordination.
The option is designed for students interested in careers at international organizations such as the IMF, WTO, World Bank, and Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). This option also prepares students for careers in the financial services sector, including commercial and investment banking, financial trading, security analysis, portfolio management, and financial advising, and in the government sector, especially at the Federal Reserve System, U.S. Trade Administration, and U.S. State Department.
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 Business Statistics 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 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.
Global Trade and Finance Option Requirements
(Note: Some courses may have prerequisites that are not part of the option.)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required courses: | ||
| ECON 645 | International Economics | 4 |
| Select two of the following (at least one course must be an ECON course): | 8 | |
ECON 635 | Money and Banking | |
ECON 655 | Innovation in the Global Economy | |
ECON #668 | Economic Development | |
ECON 726 | Introduction to Econometrics | |
ECON 746 | International Finance | |
FIN 703 | International Financial Management 1 | |
POLT 546 | Wealth and Politics in Asia 1 | |
GEOG 582 | Global Trade and Local Development 1 | |
Other 600-level or 700-level course, must be approved by ECON department | ||
| Total Credits | 12 | |
- 1
Satisfies the requirement of the option, but does not count toward the four-elective requirement of the economics B.A. degree.
- 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.
