Program Overview (should not exceed 250 words): Located in Huntington, West Virginia, Marshall University’s Brad D. Smith Undergraduate School of Business offers a Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A.) degree in Economics and an area of emphasis in International Economics. Graduates of the Economics bachelor’s program add value to many types of organizations. Upon graduation, our Economics majors are prepared to meet the challenges of the modern day business environment.

Economics is the study of choices that individuals, business and government entities make when allocating limited resources among alternative uses. For example, individuals must choose what goods or services to purchase with their limited incomes. Business firms must decide which goods to produce, how much to produce and what methods to use. Government bodies must choose which programs to implement and which taxes to levy.

Economists develop theories to explain how components of an economy operate and interact with one another. They then gather statistical and empirical evidence to estimate the relationships among the various aspects of the economy. Using this data, economists predict how different economic entities will respond to changes in policies and external forces. These predictions, in turn, help guide private and public decision-makers to form appropriate policies.

Students with this degree can:

• Communicate economic ideas and analysis effectively, in writing and in oral presentations
• Use quantitative techniques, economic modeling and problem-solving skills to develop, complete, and present a research project involving economic analysis
• Review and analyze, critically, alternative economic policy proposals
• Evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of proposed and existing government programs.