Business economics is playing an increasingly important role in managerial decision making in the United States and in international settings. Consequently, job opportunities have expanded. Firms are particularly interested in the application of economic thinking, including game theory and predictive data analysis to business strategy.. At the same time enterprises have also become increasingly influenced by governmental rules, regulations, and policies. Specifically regulated industries, such as public utilities, have a need for individuals qualified to deal with the economic and administrative problems that they encounter as they face increased competition and government scrutiny. The undergraduate majors in business economics and public policy provide students with training in the application of micro- and macroeconomics to problems of strategic business decision making, the effect of governmental policies on the business environment, and data analysis.

The department offers two majors: Economic Consulting and Public Policy Analysis.

Economic Consulting Major

The undergraduate major in Economic Consulting provides students with training in the application of economic analysis to strategic business decisions. This major intends to serve the growing business consulting market, the financial industry, as well as the in-house business economist market. A growing number of consulting companies—such as A.T Kearney; Analysis Group, Inc.; Bain & Co.; Boston Consulting Group; Eco-Stat Corporation; Economics Resource Group; The Brattle Group; Chicago Partners; Cornerstone Research; McKinsey & Co.; Law and Economics Consulting Group; Nathan Associates; and NERA—are providing the services of business economic analysis to enterprises that do not want to develop in-house expertise in this area. Many financial industry firms such as Credit Swiss First Boston, Ernst & Young, Deutsche Bank, Lincoln International, and Lehman Brothers are actively hiring BEPP graduates Many large corporations in the fields of banking and finance, manufacturing, transportation, utilities, insurance, real estate, mining, and retailing employ in house business economists and the Economic Consulting major serves the needs of these companies as well...

Economic Consulting Major Requirements: G303, G304, G345, G350, G400, G456, and G492.

Public Policy Analysis Major

The major in Public Policy Analysis provides students with training in the application of micro- and macroeconomics to the analysis of the effect of governmental policies, internationalcapital markets and terms of trade on the business environment.

As job opportunities have expanded, firms have become particularly interested in the fields of policy analysis, applied economics, and forecasting. As a result, most public policy analysts are involved in a variety of tasks rather than in narrow or highly specialized work. Thus a broad (rather than specialized) education in public policy analysis and business administration is advantageous. Analysts may be employed by companies in the fields of banking, manufacturing, transportation, utilities, insurance, real estate, finance, mining, and retailing. In addition, many trade associations, consulting firms, and governmental agencies employ public policy analysts. Public policy analysts help provide information to top management for use in interpreting governmental regulations. Their skills may be called upon to assist in writing speeches, preparing testimony, or helping with company publications.

Public Policy Analysis Major Requirements: G303, G304, G345, G350, G406, and G494.