TCNJ Home / Explore Programs / Economics
Economics
At a Glance
Study economics and learn how society uses resources to attain varied and often conflicting goals. You’ll examine fiscal and monetary policies, apply theoretical and statistical tools, and explore economic activities like production and consumption in preparation for a breadth of postgraduate opportunities. Skills and knowledge gained in this program are flexible and applicable across career fields and in graduate programs ranging from law to business.
Undergraduate Program Options
Majors
Economics, BA
This program is designed for students seeking a broad liberal arts context for their study of economics. It is particularly recommended for those planning to pursue graduate study in economics, law, or public administration.
Economics, BS
This program offers more specialized training in economics and related business fields, including core courses in accounting, finance, management, and marketing.
Teacher Preparation
Economics (Social Studies) Secondary Education, BA
Qualify for New Jersey teacher certification in grades 6–12.
Minors
Economics Minor
(available only to students in other majors)
Accelerated/Dual-Degree Program Options
Get a jumpstart and enter the workforce with a master’s or professional degree. Accelerated options get you there faster and more affordably through fewer semesters of classes. Dual degrees offer a streamlined path to earning two degrees, often with direct admission to the graduate portion.
BUSINESS
Economics + Accounting and Business Analytics, BS/MS
First-year and transfer applicants may apply to this five-year (4+1) accelerated bachelor’s to master’s program.
Economics + Management and Organizations, BS/MS
First-year and transfer applicants may apply to this five-year (4+1) accelerated bachelor’s to master’s program.
LAW
Economics + Law, BA/JD
Third-year juniors may follow a six-year (3+3) accelerated pathway. Graduating seniors may follow a seven-year (4+3) traditional pathway to gain direct admission to law school in this highly selective dual-degree program with Villanova University’s Charles Widger School of Law.
MEDICINE
Economics + Medicine, BA/MD
First-year applicants can gain direct admission to New Jersey Medical School through the Seven-Year Medical Program (3+4).
You’ll Benefit From:
- Exploration of wide-ranging economic interests and interdisciplinary programs
- Small classes with individualized attention from professors who know your name
- Substantial experience with data processing, estimation, and experimental design
- The development of communication and analytical skills through written and oral work
- High marketability in a variety of careers and sectors
Careers
You’ll be well-positioned to launch a successful career. Graduates routinely land jobs in banking, finance, insurance, government, business, communications, teaching, and consulting. Many students continue their studies at law school or pursue an MA, MBA, or PhD at prestigious universities. Economics majors have also pursued medical or dental careers. (Check out TCNJ’s Seven-Year Medical Program.)
Recent employers
- Bloomberg LP
- Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia
- Morgan Stanley
- Prudential Financial
- Texas Instruments
Recent graduate schools
- Boston University
- Duke
- Georgetown
- New York University
- Rutgers
Consistently included among the nation’s “Top Business Schools”
— Poets&Quants
Experiential Learning and Networking
By extending your new knowledge of economics to its practical applications, you gain confidence in your chosen career and add experience to your resume. Our students take advantage of the many opportunities to learn outside of the classroom, competing in the annual College Fed Challenge, sharpening skills in the stock market and other simulation games, networking and presenting at national conferences, and taking on leadership roles in the Economics Club and other student organizations. TCNJ’s location along the powerhouse Northeast Corridor means internship opportunities at global firms such as Goldman Sachs, Johnson & Johnson, and Coface. Plus, our proximity to leading business and thought centers in economics — Princeton; Philadelphia; New York; and Washington, DC — provides exceptional access to meet and learn from guest speakers and panelists, including some of the world’s most influential economists.
Senior Thesis
All economics majors complete a senior thesis as the culminating experience of their degree program. You will not only synthesize the skills and knowledge developed over your college career but also produce original research, demonstrating an ability to integrate and analyze disparate sources of economic data to reach original, independent conclusions. That adds value to your employment portfolio. In addition, your senior thesis is an opportunity to practice essential presentation and networking skills. Economics majors often present their senior theses before peers from colleges and universities in the tri-state region and at national forums, including the Omicron Delta Epsilon Undergraduate Business and Economics Conference at Ursinus College.
Respected Faculty of Expert Economists
Economic theories are constantly evolving, and our faculty are leading thinkers and active researchers, publishing in prestigious journals and presenting at major conferences. And as a TCNJ economics major, you’ll be mentored by and have the opportunity to collaborate with them on research covering a wide variety of topics.
Faculty research interests include:
- Behavioral economics
- Development economics
- Economic growth
- Economic history
- Economics of land use
- Economics of law
- Economics of public goods
- Economics of religion
- Economics of transition
- Environmental and natural resource economics
- Gender issues in economics
- Health economics
- Inflation
- International economic analysis
- Labor economics
