Economics Major: Global Trade and Finance Option (B.A.)

Economics Major: Global Trade and Finance Option (B.A.)
Members of UNH's student-run investment fund, Atkins Investment Group, gather in the college's Bloomberg Terminal room.

The Global Trade and Finance option within the Economics major at UNH is for people who want to know how the world's money moves.

You'll learn how trade rules affect countries, how to guess when money might lose value, and how cash gets around the world.

Dive into real-world data from the World Trade Organization and International Monetary Fund to understand global economic trends. Get the skills you need to work with big companies that do business worldwide.


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.

Sample Degree Plan

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
FallCredits
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
 Credits18
Spring
ECON 401
or ECON 402
Principles of Economics (Macro)
or Principles of Economics (Micro)
4
PHIL 431 Business Ethics 4
Discovery Course 4
Discovery Course 4
PAUL 406 Freshman Academic Experience II 1
 Credits17
Second Year
Fall
ECON 611 Intermediate Macroeconomic Analysis 4
ADMN 510 Business Statistics 4
Foreign Language 4
Discovery Course 4
 Credits16
Spring
ECON 605 Intermediate Microeconomic Analysis 4
Foriegn Language 4
Discovery Course 4
Discovery Course 4
 Credits16
Third Year
Fall
ECON 645 International Economics 4
Economics Elective 2 4
Discovery Course 4
Course selected in consultation with advisor 1 4
 Credits16
Spring
Economics Elective 2 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
 Credits16
Fourth Year
Fall
Economics Elective 2 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
 Credits16
Spring
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
 Credits16
 Total Credits131
1

Students can explore a second option, second major, minor, or general electives.

2

Students can use three ECON elective courses to satisfy both the Global Trade and Finance option and the Economics Elective requirement for the core major required courses.  

Degree Requirements

Minimum Credit Requirement: 128 credits
Minimum Residency Requirement: 32 credits must be taken at UNH
Minimum GPA: 2.0 required for conferral*
Core Curriculum Required: Discovery & Writing Program Requirements
Foreign Language Requirement: Yes

All Major, Option and Elective Requirements as indicated.
*Major GPA requirements as indicated.

Major Requirements

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.

Coursework in accounting is recommended but not required. 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.

Required Courses
ADMN 403Computing Essentials for Business1
ADMN 510Business Statistics4
ECON 401Principles of Economics (Macro)4
ECON 402Principles of Economics (Micro)4
ECON 501Business and Economic History4
ECON 605Intermediate Microeconomic Analysis4
or ECON 606 Intermediate Microeconomics with Calculus
ECON 611Intermediate Macroeconomic Analysis4
MATH 422Mathematics for Business Applications4
or MATH 424A Calculus for Social Sciences
PAUL 405Freshman Academic Experience I1
PAUL 406Freshman Academic Experience II1
PHIL 431Business Ethics4
Capstone
ECON 774Senior Economics Seminar 14
Electives
Select four (4) additional ECON elective courses. 216
Total Credits55
Gobal Trade and Finance Option Requirements 3
Required Courses
ECON 645International Economics4
Select two courses from the following (must select at least one ECON course):8
ECON 635
Money and Banking
ECON 655
Innovation in the Global Economy
ECON 726
Introduction to Econometrics
FIN 703
International Financial Management 4
POLT #546
Wealth and Politics in Asia 4
GEOG 582
Global Trade and Local Development 4
Or other 600-level or 700-level course, approved by ECON department
Total Credits12
1

Course 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.

3

Note: some courses may have prerequisites that are not part of the option requirements.

4

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.

Explore Program Details

Students interested in our Economics major may also be interested in these advanced degree offerings:

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