2019-2020 General Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG–FOR INFORMATION ONLY]
Department of Economics and Finance
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Overview of Programs
Economics
Economics is a science that examines how individuals and firms make choices and how their decisions affect markets, the economy, and society. Students of economics develop a unique set of analytical skills that have application in almost every facet of life from health care to criminal conduct. Studying economics also develops general skills in logical thinking and problem-solving that are very useful in personal, business, and public-policy settings.
Economics prepares students for a wide variety of professional careers in fields such as general business management, business analytics, financial services, government, and consulting. Many economics majors get advanced degrees in economics or business disciplines such as finance or marketing. In addition, economics is often regarded as the premiere undergraduate degree to prepare for M.B.A. and law programs.
Finance
Finance is a fundamental business discipline concerned with the concepts and methods underlying financial institutions and markets, investment theory, and the financial management of organizations. As well as being essential to successful business management, finance is vitally important to the economy as a whole since it is concerned with the allocation of capital to those individuals, firms, and sectors that can use it most efficiently.
The finance major prepares students for professional careers in areas such as business financial management, financial planning, investments, banking, insurance and real estate. Many finance graduates get advanced degrees in business management, finance, and related fields.
Mission
The primary mission of the Economics and Finance Department at Southern Utah University is to offer students high-quality courses, programs, and other educational opportunities that impart valuable life skills and excellent preparation for professional careers or graduate school. Highly effective teaching-focused on student learning-is the hallmark of the department. By providing outstanding training in economics and finance, the department serves its own majors, the School of Business, and the general education program of the University.
In addition, the faculty strives to make meaningful intellectual contributions by conducting and disseminating the results of quality research and related scholarly endeavors, which activity complements and supports teaching. The faculty also provides worthwhile service to the University, the profession, the local community, and society in general.
Department/Program Learning Outcomes
Economics
In fulfilling the mission of the program, economics graduates will:
- Have effective written and verbal communication skills;
- Have strong analytical and critical thinking skills;
- Understand microeconomic principles at an intermediate level and be able to apply them to the analysis of individual, firm, and market behavior;
- Understand macroeconomic principles at an intermediate level and be able to apply standard models to contemporary policy questions and problems;
- Understand basic probability and statistical inference and be able to apply these concepts in data analysis and decision making;
- Be able to conduct basic econometric analysis; appreciate the major issues involved in estimating, using, interpreting and evaluating econometric models; and
- Be able to model and solve a wide range of optimization problems in economics and related fields.
Finance
In addition to achieving the five undergraduate learning objectives for all business composite degrees in the School of Business, finance majors will:
- Understand financial markets, financial instruments, and the concepts and practices used by financial institutions to facilitate the flow of funds in an economy;
- Be familiar with the principles and methods used by investors to manage and optimize financial position;
- Be familiar with the principles and methods used by organizations to manage funds and optimize financial structure; and
- Understand and be able to apply the most current analytical methods and tools to evaluate financial performance, make sound financial decisions, and maximize firm value.
Other Information
Admission to the Dixie L. Leavitt School of Business
To major in a business field (Accounting, Finance, Management, or Marketing) in the Dixie L. Leavitt School of Business, students must meet certain requirements and apply for admission to the School as outlined below.
Standard Admission Requirements
The standard requirements for full admission to business programs in the School of Business are the following:
- Complete all six (6) pre-business foundation courses (see below) with a grade of “C-” (1.7) or better in each course;
- Achieve a GPA of 2.5 or higher in all pre-business foundation courses; and
- Complete at least 36 college credit hours with an overall GPA of 2.5 or higher.
Students who met these requirements are assured admission.
Pre-Business Foundation Courses
The following courses constitute the Pre-Business Foundation, which must be completed before full admission to business programs in the School of Business:
Alternative Paths to Admission
Students may apply for admission after completing all pre-business foundation courses OR during the semester in which they will complete their pre-business foundation courses, which would normally be the first or second semester of the sophomore year. Students meeting the conditions listed below will be conditionally admitted. To maintain admission, the Standard Admission Requirements must be fully met upon completion of the six (6) pre-business foundation courses.
Conditional Admission
- Complete 3-5 of the pre-business foundation courses with a grade of “C-” (1.7) or better in each course;
- Be enrolled in the remaining 1-3 pre-business courses;
- Achieve a GPA of 2.5 or better in all pre-business courses completed; and
- Complete at least 24 college credit hours with a total GPA of 2.5 or higher.
Students who do not meet the conditions for automatic or conditional admission but do meet the conditions specified below may apply for admission by committee review. The School Admission Committee will evaluate applications and grant or reject admission on a case-by-case basis.
Admission by Committee Review:
- Complete all six (6) pre-business foundation courses with a grade of “C-” (1.7) or better in each course; and
- Complete at least 36 college credit hours with a total GPA of 2.0 or higher.
Along with the regular application materials, students seeking admission by committee review must submit an essay, of no more than 1,000 words, describing why they want to major in business and why they believe they can be successful.
Required Application Materials
- Complete application form
- Complete admission questionnaire
- Resume
- Application essay (for applicants requesting admission by committee review)
Repeating Failed Business or Pre-Business Courses
Economics
Students will be allowed to repeat a failed course only once. If a passing grade is not received after the second attempt, the student will not be allowed to graduate with a major or minor degree in economics.
Finance
Students will be allowed to repeat a failed course only once. If a passing grade is not received after the second attempt, finance students will not be admitted into advanced standing or allowed to graduate with a composite degree in any of the other business majors. The required GPA for the upper-division major courses is also 2.5. Every student must meet the minimum GPA standard to graduate with any business major.
Transfer Students
Economics
Transfer students, either from another college within the University, or from another institution, must meet with a business advisor before enrolling in any upper-division courses to determine the extent to which the pre-requisite core has been fulfilled. For transfer information or equivalents, refer to the following web site: www.suu.edu/business/transfer.html.
Finance
Transfer students, either from another college within the university or from another institution, must meet with a business advisor before enrolling in any upper-division courses to determine the extent to which the pre-business core has been fulfilled. No more than 9 credit hours in upper-division major courses will be allowed prior to achieving Advanced Standing status. For transfer information or equivalents, refer to the following web site: www.suu.edu/business/transfer.html.
Summary of Graduation Requirements
Economics
To graduate with a major in Economics from SUU, the student must:
- Successfully complete the courses required for the major, as listed in the catalog, with a GPA of 2.5 or better.
- Meet the other requirements for graduation as defined by the University.
- Complete the General Education requirements. Transfer students can meet this requirement by the following means:
- Complete the GE requirements at one of the other four-year colleges in the Utah System of Higher Education (USHE), or
- Complete the associate of science or associate of arts degree from a community college within the USHE. (Transfer students from other community colleges must have the general education requirements evaluated by the Registrar.) Students pursuing a bachelor’s degree must take the American Institution requirement to graduate. (This course may be taken at a junior college or at SUU; see the Academic Advisement Center or Registrar’s Office for a suitable equivalent.)
- Complete a minimum of 120 semester hours.
- Complete a minimum of 40 upper-division semester hours (course number 3000 or above from an accredited four-year college or university).
- Have an overall GPA of 2.0 or better.
Finance
To graduate with a major in Finance from SUU, the student must:
- Be accepted to the School of Business.
- Successfully complete the required business foundation, business core, and upper-division major classes, as listed in the catalog, with a GPA of 2.5 or better.
- Meet the other requirements for graduation as defined by the University.
- Complete the General Education requirements. Transfer students can meet this requirement by the following means:
- Complete the GE requirements at one of the other four-year colleges in the Utah System of Higher Education (USHE), or
- Complete the associate of science or associate of arts degree from a community college within the USHE. (Transfer students from other community colleges must have the general education requirements evaluated by the Registrar.) Students pursuing a bachelor’s degree must take the American Institution requirement to graduate. (This course may be taken at a junior college or at SUU; see the Academic Advisement Center or Registrar’s Office for a suitable equivalent.)
- Complete a minimum of 120 semester hours,
- Complete a minimum of 40 upper-division semester hours (course number 300 or above from an accredited four-year college or university).
- Have an overall GPA of 2.0 or better.
ProgramsBachelor’s DegreeMinorMaster’s Degree
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Department Chair
Administrative Assistant
