Why Study Economics?

The study of economics explains how people make choices and helps us understand societal and global issues. Economic decisions have an enormous influence on society and the character of our lives. Problems such as health-care reform, the debate on public vs. private schooling, foreign aid, the national debt, and a host of other current issues can be illuminated by an understanding of economics.

Students can earn a bachelor of arts degree with a major in economics, business economics, or economics/mathematics. We also offer an emphasis in accounting within the business economics major.

The Department of Economics offers three degree programs at the graduate level: master of arts in economics, master of arts in economics with an emphasis in business economics, and doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.) in economics.

Our students are competitors for the best graduate programs in the country in such areas as business administration, economics, law, finance, and journalism.

A major in business economics or economics can provide the background for diverse career options. For example, some of our graduates are candidates for management training programs in large corporations and retail firms; others go into such areas as finance, management of natural resources, management consulting, industrial relations, and operations research. In the public sector, there are opportunities in the Foreign Service, the Bureau of the Census, the U.S. Information Service, public utility corporations, and federal, state, and local governments.

Other major areas of employment include:

Students pursuing double majors -- combining one of our majors with a field such as psychology, political science, environmental studies, or art -- find opportunities in areas such as industrial psychology, labor relations, and art administration.

The UCSB accounting program is led by a dedicated group of faculty known for their innovative and outstanding teaching. As a result, the accounting program consistently graduates students who perform exceptionally well on the CPA exam. Due to the combination of accounting and economics taught to those completing the emphasis in accounting, our students are actively recruited throughout the year by corporations and public accounting firms, including the four leading international accounting firms. Visit the Accounting Association website.

Most students majoring in economics/mathematics expect to pursue graduate study. This is the most rigorous and demanding major in the department because it is a full reflection of two disciplines: economics and mathematics. Many students use this major to acquire mathematical and econometric tools (econometrics involves the application of quantitative methods in economics) essential for advanced study in economics, actuarial science, business administration, and various areas of management. Other career fields include finance, consulting, market analysis, natural resources, industrial law, marketing, systems analysis and operations research fields such as production management.

The following resources are available in the Undergraduate Office, 2121 North Hall:

• Opportunities for Graduate Study
• Business School Information
• University and College catalogs (also available at http://www.cgf.org)
• CPA Information (also available at http://www.dca.ca.gov/cba)
• Scholarship and Fellowship Opportunities
• Information also available via our listserv

Be sure to check the bulletin board just outside the office for current employment opportunities, office hours of faculty members and teaching assistants, and current departmental announcements. Additional information on career opportunities is available at Counseling and Career Services, Building 599.