Economics

Economists are problem solvers. The profession has produced methods to better match organ recipients with donors (saving countless lives), improved the financial savings rate for U.S. veterans, and reduced crime through small incentives.

The field is a method of studying humans using models and data; it is not a series of facts about the economy you memorize. While economics includes the study of what people buy and how products are produced, the field is far more expansive. Economics can be applied to numerous fields including art, education, law, medicine, psychology, sociology, and urban studies. Further, economics is the foundational science on which all business fields are built.

Economics is a systematic and scientific way of looking at human choices.

Economics has been the steppingstone to a future career for many of the nation’s most ambitious people. In addition to numerous CEOs and U.S. Presidents, economics is the most popular degree at six out of the eight Ivy League schools (Business Insider, “The three most popular majors at every Ivy League school”).

Career opportunities are vast when you hold an economics degree. Warren Buffett (Berkshire Hathaway), Sheryl Sandberg (Meta/Facebook), Sandra Day O’Connor (former Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court), and Nate Silver (FiveThirtyEight) all hold economics degrees. While their careers are very different, they all use the methods and data analysis tools taught in economics to further their success.

Economists are employed by private businesses, public sectors, and non-profit organizations and are among the highest paid disciplines. In businesses, economists’ duties include various forms of analysis to help make business decisions. Common job titles include Data Analyst, Data Scientist, Market Research Analyst, Financial Analyst, Technical Analyst, and Research Associate.

Here at UNO, we offer three different undergraduate programs in economics: A STEM-designated Bachelor of Science in Economics, a Bachelor of Arts in Economics, and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration - Economics Concentration. These programs contain nearly the same economics courses: which degree makes the most sense for you depends on your other interests.

In addition, economics is superb preparation for graduate work in areas such as business, law, political science, international relations, gerontology, and public administration. Economics also is an excellent dual major or minor for other areas of study.

Other Information

All coursework taken for the Economics major or minor must be completed with a grade of “C” or better.

Option for Degree Completion

The Department of Economics has developed a Fast Track program for highly qualified and motivated students providing the opportunity to complete a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in an accelerated time frame. With Fast Track, students may count up to 9 graduate hours toward the completion of their undergraduate program as well as the graduate degree program.

Program Specifics:

  • The program is available for undergraduate students pursuing the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (with a concentration in Economics), Bachelor of Science in Economics, or Bachelor of Arts in Economics, desiring to pursue a Master of Science in Economics.
  • Students must have completed no less than 60 undergraduate hours.
  • Students must have a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.50.
  • Students must complete the Fast Track Approval form and obtain all signatures and submit to the Office of Graduate Studies prior to first enrollment in a graduate course.
  • Students will work with their undergraduate advisor to register for the graduate courses.
  • A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 is required for graduate coursework to remain in good standing.
  • Students remain undergraduates until they meet all the requirements for the undergraduate degree and are eligible for all rights and privileges granted undergraduate status including financial aid.
  • Near the end of the undergraduate program, formal application to the graduate program is required. The application fee will be waived, the applicant will need to contact the Office of Graduate Studies for a fee waiver code.
    • Admission to Fast Track does NOT guarantee admission to the graduate program.
    • The admit term must be after the completion term of the undergraduate degree.

Students in the Fast Track program must only enroll in dual-level ECON courses (ECON 8xx6) as their graduate coursework prior to admittance to the graduate program.

Student Groups

Economics Club

The main purpose of the UNO Economics Club (Econ Club, for short) is to increase awareness and knowledge of economic issues among Econ Club members and the overall UNO community. The organization also provides a venue for student-members to examine issues related to academic success, career success, and related matters. The organization shall work towards increasing the membership’s engagement with the Omaha community.

Contact

Arts and Sciences Advising Center, 220 ASH
402.554.2458

Website

Degrees Offered

Minors Offered

By nature, Liberal Arts majors make great employees in any field because of their ability to communicate effectively, think critically and solve complex problems. These timeless skills make them attractive to employers in all walks of society. Specifically though, Economics majors often pursue careers as a:

  • Commodities broker
  • Credit analyst
  • Data analyst
  • Data scientist
  • Economic forecaster
  • Financial analyst
  • Insurance underwriter
  • Management consultant
  • Market research analyst
  • Public relations/media organizer
  • Securities broker