Department of Economics
Why are some people and nations poor while others are rich? How do businesses decide how many workers to hire, what to produce, and what price to charge? The Department of Economics offers courses, majors and minors that help students learn how to answer these questions. Students explore theories of how the economy works, how businesses operate, and how public policy can address important economic issues.What will I study?
At Agnes Scott, students can take courses in economics and in organizational management. Economics is the study of how society allocates scarce resources. Organizational management is the study of how businesses and non-profit organizations are structured and how they interact with each other, with their customers, and with the government.
The department offers three majors: Economics, Economics & Organizational Management and Mathematics-Economics. Economics majors learn how to use theories and data analysis techniques to analyze current economic issues within the U.S. and internationally. Economics & Organizational Management majors acquire a solid foundation in economics and management theory and develop the management skills needed for today's business world. Mathematics-Economics majors get a deep background in both mathematical and economic theory that prepares them for analytical jobs or for graduate study.
Why should I study economics at Agnes Scott?
- Hands-on
Experience
Most of our students supplement their on-campus education with internship and research opportunities in the Atlanta area. Some students intern at the Federal Reserve Bank or at commercial banks and stockbrokers while others intern at non-profit organizations. All of our Economics & Organizational Management majors participate in a hands-on, semester-long group project that illustrates how theory translates into practice. - Supportive Learning Environment
Our classes are small, and students are encouraged--even expected--to ask questions. The department has an Economics Learning Center where students can meet with faculty or upperclasswomen for help with assignments, exams and research projects. - International Education Opportunities
We encourage our students to study abroad for a semester or a year or to participate in a faculty-led global awareness program. Our students have studied in Argentina, Australia, Brazil, England, France, Hong Kong, and South Africa, to name just a few. Plus, we offer courses with an international focus, including international trade, international investment, and economic development.
Many of our graduates go to graduate school in economics or accounting, or they earn an MBA or a JD. Our majors prepare students to be business analysts, teachers, economic analysts, and financial planners, among others. You can start your own business or work your way up to be a CEO. Agnes Scott is the place to begin learning who you will become.
Did you know?
The Bridge to Business program gives rising juniors and seniors an opportunity to learn about the world of business on the Georgia Tech campus for 3 weeks in August.
Agnes Scott ranks #2 in the entire U.S. in economics Ph.D.s earned per undergraduate degree awarded. Women's colleges have an excellent track record of preparing women for graduate school, as exemplified by our department. Students interested in grad school should read this information from the AEA.
Across all workers, women earn 77% of what men earn, on average. Studying economics can help you learn why that happens and help you avoid becoming part of that statistic! Average earnings among college graduates who majored in economics are higher than for almost any other major.
We offer majors in Economics, Economics and Organizational Management, and Mathematics-Economics (which is joint with the Math Department). We also offer a minor in Economics and a minor in Organizational Management.
Students in the Intro to Organizational Management class create and carry out public service projects as part of the course, giving them an opportunity to see how the leadership theories they learn in the classroom apply in practice.
Our students work in internships all over the Atlanta area during the school year and all around the world during the summer. Agnes Scott is located just a few miles from Atlanta and a short walk from the public transit system, giving students access to incredible internship opportunities.
The Economics and Organizational Management major offers in-depth study of management theories and techniques. Traditional business administration undergraduate majors, in contrast, give students a smattering of knowledge in many topics--from marketing to management to finance--without a deep understanding of any particular topic.
Nga Than '13 was selected to participate in Harvard University's Fulbright School program in Vietnam in the summer of 2012 to do research on the policy challenges associated with Vietnam's development. Congratulations, Nga!
Professor Li Qi received a Fulbright Scholarship to do research on health care among migrant workers in China. She is spending part of 2012-2013 doing research in Beijing.