The Tulane Department of Economics is known for excellent, personalized teaching and policy-driven research focused on understanding and addressing some of the world’s most pressing problems. Our undergraduate program teaches basic and advanced economic theory and provides training in econometrics and data analysis. We offer courses that highlight the economic perspective on a wide range of issues including economic development and growth, education, health, international trade, and labor markets. In our classes, you will learn not only about these topics but also about the real-world experiences of our faculty, who continue to make meaningful impact through work with both government and non-government organizations.
Majoring in economics
The famous British economist Alfred Marshall wrote: "Economics is a study of mankind in the ordinary business of life." You will find that an economics major prepares you for many careers because economics offers a clear, concise, and rigorous way of thinking about the ordinary business of life. Job recruiters and graduate admissions committees are favorably inclined toward economics majors.
One enduring strength of economics is its logical, ordered way of looking at problems and issues. Economics is at the same time the most applied, most quantitative, and most scientific of the social sciences and the most theoretical of business subjects. It draws on history, philosophy, and mathematics to confront topics ranging from how households or businesses can make solid decisions to societal issues such as unemployment, inflation, crime, and environmental decay.
A career in economics: It's much more than you think (video)
**Tulane University has officially reclassified its undergraduate Economics major, both Bachelor of Science (BS) and Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Economics, as STEM designated degrees (CIP: 45.0603).
Requirements for a major in economics
Students wishing to major in economics during the course of their undergraduate studies can choose from among two programs of study at Tulane: the Bachelor of Arts in economics and the Bachelor of Science in economics.
Each of these programs shares a common core in economic theory and quantitative methods but is tailored to the diverse interests and career goals of students. The B.A. in economics combines economic science with broad liberal arts training, providing an excellent background for postgraduate work in business, public policy, or law and also for the student who will enter the labor force upon graduation. The B.S. in economics provides a rigorous quantitative background for advanced study in economics or for outstanding postgraduate programs in business.
Students considering a major in economics are strongly encouraged to complete Economics 1010 and 1020 as soon as possible, usually in their freshman year and no later than their sophomore year. They are also encouraged to complete Economics 3010 and 3020 as soon thereafter as possible as background to the more advanced courses.
