Economics
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.
Does the production, consumption, and transfer of wealth excite you? Our Economics program has an excellent reputation in preparing you for a professional careers in academia, government, international organizations, and corporate sector so that your future is just as exciting.
Economics students learn how to identify the costs, benefits and consequences of a decision. Economists study issues that affect the market, such as criminal behavior, poverty, law, environmental control, population and political behavior.
Government economists assess economic conditions in the U.S. and abroad and estimate the economic impact of specific changes in legislation or public policy. Economists in private industry work largely for marketing research firms, management consulting firms, banks, investment firms, and insurance companies. A degree in economics is also highly desirable for students who plan to attend graduate school or law school. The College of Business and Economics has an excellent record of placing economics students in both.
The Department of Economics at West Virginia University has a large number of national and internationally recognized faculty members and doctoral students. The Department has a well-established research tradition in the areas of public economics, political economy, health economics, international trade and development, and urban and regional economics.
The Department has developed several areas of strength including market-based solutions to social and economic problems with its relationship with the Center for Free Enterprise and, through its long relationship with the University's well-known Regional Research Institute, a focus on spatial econometric and regional analysis.
Our Ph.D. Program in Economics currently offers six fields on concentration: health economics, international economics, monetary economics, public economics, regional and urban economics, and resource economics.
The department has substantial ties with several other units across campus. The
specialization in the area of resource economics is offered in collaboration
with the Division of Agricultural and Resource Economics, and some of our faculty
are also associated with the Regional Research Institute.
Detailed admission and graduation requirements for the Bachelor of Science degree
can be found in the WVU Undergraduate Catalog.
3+3 Program
The 3+3 Program at WVU is an opportunity for qualified undergraduate students to earn their bachelor's degree and law degree in six years instead of seven years. Students accepted into the 3+3 program begin taking classes at WVU Law in what would be their Senior year of college.
To be eligible, you must:
- Have a 3.0 after your freshman year,
- Have a 3.2 after your sophomore year,
- Have a 3.4 after the first semester of your junior year,
- Take the LSAT in October of your junior year,
- Complete the first three years as outlined in the plan of study, and
- Apply to and be accepted by the Law School.
Economics ABM (Accelerated Bachelor's-Master's)
Our accelerated bachelor’s-to-master’s (ABM) program allows you to take 12 credit hours of graduate coursework while completing your undergraduate degree, leaving only 18 credit hours in order for you to achieve a master’s degree. Rather than 150 hours being needed for a bachelor’s and a master’s, this option allows you to finish with 138 hours.
Careers
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
Wondering what you can do with a degree from WVU's Economics (BS) major? Check out these ideas from WVU Career Services and the Occupational Information Network (O*NET). A median salary is the midpoint of what people typically earn—half of those surveyed earned above the median salary, and half earned below.
- Bright Outlook
- Green Occupation
- Requires a Graduate Degree
Business Intelligence Analysts
$103,500 Median Salary
Produce financial and market intelligence by querying data repositories and generating periodic reports. Devise methods for identifying data patterns and trends in available information sources.
Possible job titles for this career include: Business Intelligence Analyst.City and Regional Planning Aides
$43,190 Median Salary
Compile data from various sources, such as maps, reports, and field and file investigations, for use by city planner in making planning studies.
Possible job titles for this career include: Community Planner.Economics Teachers, Postsecondary
$103,930 Median Salary
Teach courses in economics. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
Possible job titles for this career include: Economics Professor.Economists
$113,940 Median Salary
Conduct research, prepare reports, or formulate plans to address economic problems related to the production and distribution of goods and services or monetary and fiscal policy. May collect and process economic and statistical data using sampling techniques and econometric methods.
Possible job titles for this career include: Economic Analyst.Environmental Economists
$101,050 Median Salary
Conduct economic analysis related to environmental protection and use of the natural environment, such as water, air, land, and renewable energy resources. Evaluate and quantify benefits, costs, incentives, and impacts of alternative options using economic principles and statistical techniques.
Possible job titles for this career include: Environmental Economist.Financial Analysts
$95,080 Median Salary
Conduct quantitative analyses of information affecting investment programs of public or private institutions.
Possible job titles for this career include: Analyst.Financial Examiners
$82,210 Median Salary
Enforce or ensure compliance with laws and regulations governing financial and securities institutions and financial and real estate transactions. May examine, verify, or authenticate records.
Possible job titles for this career include: Credit Union Examiner.Financial Managers, Branch or Department
$139,790 Median Salary
Direct and coordinate financial activities of workers in a branch, office, or department of an establishment, such as branch bank, brokerage firm, risk and insurance department, or credit department.
Possible job titles for this career include: Banking Center Manager (BCM).Financial Quantitative Analysts
$73,810 Median Salary
Develop quantitative financial products used to inform individuals or financial institutions engaged in saving, lending, investing, borrowing, or managing risk. Investigate methods for financial analysis to create mathematical models used to develop improved analytical tools or advanced financial investment instruments.
Possible job titles for this career include: .Fraud Examiners, Investigators and Analysts
$73,810 Median Salary
Obtain evidence, take statements, produce reports, and testify to findings regarding resolution of fraud allegations. May coordinate fraud detection and prevention activities.
Possible job titles for this career include: Certified Fraud Examiner.Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists
$62,560 Median Salary
Research market conditions in local, regional, or national areas, or gather information to determine potential sales of a product or service, or create a marketing campaign. May gather information on competitors, prices, sales, and methods of marketing and distribution.
Possible job titles for this career include: Market Analyst.Personal Financial Advisors
$95,390 Median Salary
Advise clients on financial plans using knowledge of tax and investment strategies, securities, insurance, pension plans, and real estate. Duties include assessing clients' assets, liabilities, cash flow, insurance coverage, tax status, and financial objectives.
Possible job titles for this career include: Certified Financial Planner (CFP).Statistical Assistants
$48,880 Median Salary
Compile and compute data according to statistical formulas for use in statistical studies. May perform actuarial computations and compile charts and graphs for use by actuaries. Includes actuarial clerks.
Possible job titles for this career include: Actuarial Assistant.
This page includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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