Department of Economics

Department Chair Dave Berri – BB 312J	Faculty & Staff
Administrative Assistant Heather Jones – BUS 229	Undergraduate & Graduate Advisors

Overview of Programs

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.

Mission

The primary mission of the economics program 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

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.
Be able to model and solve a wide range of optimization problems in economics and related fields.

Other Information

Repeating Failed Business or Pre-Business Courses

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.

Transfer Students

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.

Undergraduate Graduation Requirements

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:
1. Complete the GE requirements at one of the other four-year colleges in the Utah System of Higher Education (USHE), or
2. 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.

Programs

Bachelor’s Degree

Minor

Economics (Minor)