Economics

Economists are concerned with decision-making processes, particularly those involving economic policymaking. Majoring in economics prepares you for almost any professional career. It is also excellent preparation for law school or for graduate studies in economics, finance, or related business fields.

Commodities fluctuate, stock markets change continually and corporations spring up and fade out at amazing speed. Economists thrive on making sense of these phenomena by collecting data, researching trends and evaluating economic issues. It is one of the most exciting and rewarding social science fields.

As you study economics at UW-Superior, you will conduct surveys and collect data as you research and analyze current economic issues and prepare and present your research results. You will also develop, discuss and analyze various economic policies, explore business and market trends and examine the social, environmental and political elements of economic theory and practice.

Research

100% of economics majors who want to pursue paid research opportunities in collaboration with instructors have been approved to do so.

Small Class Sizes

Class sizes are kept small, with upper-level classes averaging 8 to 15 students per class.

Scholarships and Fellowships

Many scholarships are available including the Shippar-Beam which is available exclusively for Economics majors in their 2-4th year of school.

What You’ll Learn

You can complete the economics major as a bachelor of science degree or a bachelor of arts degree. Undergraduate research and data analysis using Excel are cornerstones of the economics program. You’ll take classes focusing on skills and knowledge needed for careers in economics, including Money and Banking, International Economics, Data Exploration and Economics Analysis, and Applied Economic Analysis (with Stata software).

The economics major at UW-Superior will provide you with the skills and ability to:

• Apply knowledge of economic terminology, concepts and theories.
• Understand the economy in general and analyze various social, political and economic issues.
• Develop economic reasoning and research skills and demonstrate them through critical thinking, rational decision-making and competent collection, processing and interpretation of information.
• Communicate effectively in oral and written forms using professional economics language.

Because it is a non-comprehensive major, many students choose to combine economics with another major or minor in areas such as accounting, business administration, business analytics, finance, transportation and logistics management, math, political science, history, information technology, communicating arts or others.

All economics majors with a GPA of 3.0 or higher are eligible to apply for the Shippar-Beam Economics scholarship.

One of my professors came up to me after her class one day and told me I was really good at economics and asked if I’d ever considered majoring in it. I met with her to learn more and decided to switch my major to economics and finance. I’m so glad I did. I have loved getting to know my professors – that’s something that just doesn’t happen very often at a big university.

Grant Garding, Economics and Finance

Internship Opportunities

A large number of paid internships and research opportunities are available to economics majors. Students have opportunities to participate in some Economics conferences in the region such as Minnesota Economic Association, Wisconsin Economics Association, and Midwest Economics Association conferences.

The Center for Economic Development frequently uses students to assist in survey design, data collection and coding for reports prepared for county extension agents and county agencies throughout Wisconsin. Internships are also offered to economics majors by area banks in Superior. Economics interns have also been placed in the Mayor’s Office, at the Superior Recycling Center, and the Superior YMCA. The economics faculty at UW-S are committed to helping economics majors locate and complete challenging internships that provide valuable job experience and career advancement.

Program Outcomes/Career Opportunities

With a bachelor’s degree in economics you will be prepared for a wide variety of career opportunities in private and public sectors, including:

Advanced career positions often require a master’s or doctorate degree, and many UW-Superior economics graduates pursue their studies at some of the most prestigious graduate programs. A few examples include PhD Programs in Economics at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, American University, Kansas State University, Washington State University, Georgia State University, Simon Fraser University, and many more.