B.A. in Economics
Study the allocation of resources in society.
There are three degrees in economics at the University of Mississippi: the Bachelor of Business Administration in economics, the Bachelor of Arts in economics, and the more technical Bachelor of Science in economics. The B.A. degree is the most flexible program that provides broad social science training. Students take introductory and advanced micro and macro economics, statistics, and then pursue their own interests with economics electives.
Key Benefits
Using mathematical and statistical models, economists consider how resources such as labor, land, money, and technology are distributed. Economics majors gain a broad understanding of the field of economics as well as skills in statistics, mathematics, organization, research methodology, and verbal and written communication. The choice of three different degree programs allows students to better tailor their studies to different interests.
Graduate Outcomes
A liberal arts education prepares graduates to deal with complexity and change. They gain key skills in communication, problem-solving, and working with diverse groups. Related careers to economics include actuary, policy planner, stockbroker, bank examiner, labor relations specialist, venture capitalist, cost analyst, market research analyst, development officer, controller, financial planner, fundraiser, law, marketing, chief financial officer, and insurance analyst.
Experiences Offered
The Mississippi Experimental Research Laboratory (MERLab) is a research facility used by University of Mississippi faculty and students to conduct a wide variety of economics research, including research in experimental economics, econometrics, and microeconomics. Recent undergraduates have used the MERLab for experiments on topics such as school choice, risk analysis, and game theory.
B.A. in Economics Faculty
The faculty in the University of Mississippi's Department of Economics have areas of specialization including applied microeconomics, monetary theory, game theory, health economics, public finance, economic history, managerial finance, labor economics, and econometrics.
Course Requirements
The requirements for the B.A. with a major in economics are Econ 202, 203, 230, 398, 399, and 15 hours of additional Econ courses numbered 200 or above, which may include Inst 371.
Admissions Requirements
Admission requirements for the Bachelor of Arts in economics degree programs is the same as the general undergraduate admission requirements.
Shadrack White
Shad (B.A. in economics and political science, 2008) received the Truman and Rhodes Scholarships. While in student government, he persuaded the state-wide university board to establish a task force for more affordable textbooks. He chaired the College Republicans and was director of the Mississippi Federation of College Republicans. He organized voter registration drives, interned with the William Winter Institute for Racial Reconciliation, wrote for the campus newspaper, and helped with various political campaigns, including that of State Auditor Stacy Pickering. Shad's honors thesis on finance and education in Mississippi schools helped him succeed in his job as an analyst with the U.S. Department of Education, then to a fellowship with Pre-K Now. Shad was named Mississippi state auditor, replacing Stacey Pickering. Prior to that appointment, he was director of the Mississippi Justice Institute and General Counsel of the Mississippi Center for Public Policy. He earned a master's degree from the University of Oxford, England, and a law degree from Harvard.