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About Our Programs
Economics is a discipline concerned with how society chooses to allocate scarce resources among alternative uses in order to produce and distribute private and public goods.
The programs and course offerings are designed to provide a basic understanding of economic concepts, institutions, processes, and problems; to foster critical and analytical methods of thinking; and to lay the foundation for further study of economics.
Students in the economics program at Western Kentucky University can encounter the latest technology through integration of the World Wide Web into the classroom, interactive television courses, simulation software packages designed for greater hands-on experience, and campus-wide access to computer laboratories and the Internet.
The economics program awards the N.O. Taff and the Kenneth T. And Maria Cann Scholarships. The recipients must be economics majors and selection is made on the basis of academic performance. The program also recognizes the outstanding senior economics major with the annual Wall Street Journal Student Achievement Award and the James R. Ramsey Prize.
Bachelor of Arts in Economics
Bachelor of Science in Business Economics
Minor in Economics
Master of Arts in Applied Economics
Other
Bachelor of Arts in Economics
General Description:
Students can combine their work in economics with study in other fields such as business, communication, and computer science. For example, a major in economics could be combined with a minor in business administration, or a major in journalism could be combined with a second major in economics. Many other combinations are also available. These options allow a high degree of flexibility in choosing alternative areas of study.
Program Requirements:
The major in economics (reference number 638) requires a total of 128 credit hours of course work with 31 hours in economics and leads to a bachelor of arts degree. The program requires completion of a second major or a minor. All majors must complete a 16 hour core composed of ECON 202, 203, 206, 302, 303, and 499. Either MATH 116, MATH 119 or ECON 464 must be completed. The remaining 15 hours for completing the major may be selected from other 300 and 400 level economics courses. In addition, students must complete CIS 141*, MATH 116 (or higher), and COMM 161, all of which may be applied toward general education requirements. A sample schedule is listed below.
Admission for the economics major requires 1) the completion of MATH 116, ECON 202, 203, and 206 and CIS 141 with a minimum GPA of 2.0 in the courses listed; and (2) completion of a minimum of 60 semester hours with a minimum GPA of 2.0; and (3) completion of a minimum of 12 hours at Western Kentucky University with a minimum WKU GPA of 2.0. All economics majors will be required to participate in an assessment process prior to graduation (ECON 499, 1 hour).
* CS 145 is an acceptable substitution, CIS 141 is strongly preferred.
Sample Class Schedule
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Bachelor of Science in Business Economics
General Description
The business economics major combines courses in economics with those in accounting, finance, information systems, management, marketing, and quantitative business analysis. This unique array of courses leads to a B.S. degree and provides the student with both the general and specific skills desired by employers. The business economics major requires a total of 128 hours of course work with 73 hours in business and economics. No minor or second major is required for this program.
Program Requirements
The major in business economics (reference number 724) requires 73 hours in professional and elective courses and leads to a bachelor of science degree. The program of study requires 128 hours. Business economics majors must complete the Ford College of Business core consisting of ACCT 200, 201, CIS 141, ECON 202, 203, 206, CIS 343, FIN 330, MGT 300, 310, 314, 498, and MKT 320. Required courses in economics include: ECON 302, 303, 306, 414, 499; and either ECON 465 or ECON 480; fifteen hours of economics courses; and an approved three hour upper division business elective. Either MATH 116, MATH 119 or ECON 464 must be completed. No minor or second major is required.
Business economics majors should refer to the Ford College of Business introductory section for sample course schedules for the freshman and sophomore years. That section also outlines the requirements for being formally admitted to the Ford College, a condition which students must satisfy before they will be permitted to enroll in 300-level and 400-level professional courses. All economics majors will be required to participate in an assessment process prior to graduation (ECON 499, 1 hour).
* CS 145 is an acceptable substitution, CIS 141 is strongly preferred.
Sample Class Schedule
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Minor in Economics
General Description
The minor in economics can be obtained with a major outside or inside the College of Business Administration. The minor enhances employment opportunities and lays the basis for graduate study.
Program Requirements
The minor in economics (reference number 356) requires 21 semester hours. All minors must complete a 15 hour core composed of ECON 202, 203, 206, 302, and 303. The remaining 6 hours for completing the minor must be selected from other 300 and 400 level economics courses. All minors must also complete MATH 116. The remainder of the program depends on what other major or minor is pursued.
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Master of Arts in Applied Economics
General Description
The master in applied economics emphasizes the training of students with backgrounds in economics and other arts and sciences for careers that require strong analytical skills, technical tools, and communication abilities that can be applied to a broad range of subjects. Toward this end, students may also enroll in courses from related master programs including the Master in Business Administration, the Master in Public Administration, and the Master in Health Care Administration to enhance their range of knowledge and experience. In addition to coursework, the program utilizes practicum, an end-of-program applied project, and non-credit workshops to build specific technical skills and to enhance employability of graduates. The master program in applied economics will be a complement to the department’s undergraduate major by offering additional training that will enhance employment opportunities.
Program Requirements
Overview: The master of arts in applied economics requires a minimum of 30 hours of coursework. These 30 hours will include a 9 hour core: ECON 502, 503, and 506 (502 and 506 must be taken in initial fall semester). In addition, the program will include three options (described below) from which students may choose courses. Both options will require a minimum of 2 skill-building, non-credit workshops. A maximum of 6 hours of 400G credit will be allowed.
Option I: Applied Analyst Option (30 hours):
This option emphasizes building in-depth analytical, quantitative, and communication skills. Requirements include the core courses (9 hours) plus Forecasting (594), Applied Economics Project (596), at least (9) hours from: Urban & Regional Economics (475G), Public Sector Economics (511), Labor and Human Resource Economics (595), (3-6) hours of electives including up to (6) hours of approved graduate level electives outside economics, and at least (2) skill-building Workshops.
Option II: Social and Policy Issues Option (30 hours):
This option emphasizes analytical and communication skills but includes a wider variety of subject matter, as well as, more elective choice. Requirements include the core courses (9 hours) plus at least 12 hours from the following courses: up to (6) hours from the 400G courses, Public Sector Economics (571), International Economics (591), Labor and Human Resource Economics (595), Applied Economics Project (596), (6-9) hours of electives including up to (6) hours of approved graduate level electives outside of economics, and at least (2) skill-building workshops.
Option III: Advanced Academic Option (30 hours):
This option prepares students to pursue a Ph.D. by providing opportunity for more advanced theoretical coursework and statistical tools. Requirements include the core courses (9 hours) plus Regression & Econometrics (465G), Introduction to Mathematical Economics (434G) or Directed Studies in Mathematical Economics, Advanced Microeconomic Theory (583), Topics in Macroeconomics (585), (3-6) hours of electives including up to (6) hours of approved graduate level electives outside of economics, and ECON 596 or 599 (3-6 hour Project or Thesis)
Program admission requirements:
A. Completion of graduate application form, a list of three references, submission of official copy of undergraduate degree transcript, and an official copy of a GRE score taken within the last five years. Applications are considered for fall admission only.
B. Minimum undergraduate overall grade point average of 2.75 (4.0 scale) and a minimum GRE score of 900. Alternate graduate admission test scores such as the GMAT or LSAT will be considered on a case by case basis as a substitute for the GRE.
C. All applicants from non-English speaking countries are required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). A minimum score of 525 on the TOEFL, 197 on the computer based TOEFL or 68 on the internet based TOEFL is required for admission.
D. All applicants must have completed an introductory microeconomics (Economics 202 or equivalent) course, an introductory macroeconomics (Economics 203 or equivalent) course, and an introductory statistics (Economics 206 or equivalent) course. Students who have not completed an intermediate level course (300 level or higher) course in microeconomics, macroeconomics, or statistics will be required to attend a week-long, preparatory workshop in the area of deficiency prior to the fall semester. Economics 501 may be substituted for the microeconomics and macroeconomics preparatory workshops.
For more information about the MA in Applied Economics, contact:
Dr. Brian Goff
Acting Coordinator for Graduate Studies in Economics
414 Grise Hall
Western Kentucky University
1906 College Heights BLVD
Phone: (270) 745-3855
Web Address: ~http://www.wku.edu/~brian.goff
E-mail: brian.goff@wku.edu
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Other Programs
Students earning an economics degree can also obtain an Emphasis on Global Studies Designation.
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