Department of Economics
Department of Economics
Reach greater heights with a hands-on education that equips you to be successful in Economics. The Department of Economics strives to provide WKU students with educational opportunities that will help prepare them to be accomplished professionals. Economics majors at WKU benefit from small, personal classes as well as a modern curriculum that teaches students how to apply economics principles and data analytics skills to decision-making in the workforce. A degree in economics allows for flexibility in choosing a career—graduates of the WKU Economics Department find jobs in finance, banking, insurance, local and federal governments, research institutions, education, and international organizations.
We also offer many activities which prepare students for success beyond the classroom.
Students have an opportunity to get involved with student organizations, student success
initiatives, professional development activities, the PEAK program, and our Center for Applied Economics.
Find Your Program
in the Department of Economics
Economics, Bachelor of Arts
Economics is the study of how humans decide how to use the limited resources they have. A Bachelor of Arts in Economics gives students an excellent foundation for employment in many areas of business and government service, as well as for advanced graduate studies.
Business Economics, Bachelor of Science
The Business Economics major combines courses in economics with those in accounting, finance, information systems, management, marketing, and quantitative business analysis. This unique array of courses leads to a Bachelor of Science degree and provides students with skills highly desired by employers.
Mathematical Economics, Bachelor of Science
Actuarial Sciences Concentration
The Mathematical Economics degree with the Actuarial Science Concentration seeks to prepare students for careers as actuaries. Actuaries use a combination of strong analytical skills, business knowledge, and an understanding of human behavior to manage risk. Actuaries typically work for health, life, and property insurance companies, but individuals with actuarial training may work in many other areas such as banking, investment, energy, government, employee benefits, predictive analytics, and many more.
General Concentration
Economics is a social science that is heavily dependent on mathematical tools. A Bachelor of Science in Mathematical Economics (General Concentration) gives students an opportunity to learn economics while gaining a solid foundation in mathematics. This major is ideal for students who are considering advanced graduate studies in economics as well as anyone who's interested in pursuing more technical, data-analytical jobs in economics.
Economics, Minor
Economics is the study of how humans decide how to use the limited resources they have. The Minor in Economics requires only 21 hours of coursework. For students who completed College of Business Admissions Core which includes ECON 202, ECON 203, and ECON 206, Economics minor requires only 12 additional hours.
Applied Economics, Master of Arts
Economics is the foundation of business, and learning economics will help you understand how markets work, how firms and consumers make decisions, and how government policies can impact the economy.
Choose from 3 Concentrations:
- General
- Mathematical Methods
- Business Economics
Economic Data Analysis, Graduate Certificate
This graduate certificate will help prepare professionals for jobs in both public and private sector. The certificate comprises quantitative courses offered in M.A. in Applied Economics and offers them as a separated degree.
Students have an option to enroll in just the certificate without enrolling in the Master's program or they can earn the certificate while completing their Master's degree.
What is JUMP? JUMP is Joint Undergraduate/Master's Program. JUMP allows students to start working toward their MA in Applied Economics while completing their Bachelor’s degree.
How does JUMP work? Undergraduate students admitted into JUMP may take graduate courses that count toward BOTH undergraduate and graduate degrees. For example, if a student takes ECON 465G (3 credit hours), that course can count as 3 hours toward the undergraduate degree AND 3 hours toward the MA degree. Up to 12 credit hours can be double-counted.
What are the benefits of the JUMP program? Double-counting significantly lowers the cost of obtaining a Master's degree. If a student double-counts 12 hours, they will need only 18 additional graduate credit hours (instead of 30 in the regular MA program) to get the MA in Applied Economics. In addition to 12 hours that may be double-counted, undergraduate students in JUMP are allowed to take 6 more credit hours of graduate coursework that will apply only toward the graduate degree. Therefore, a JUMP student can complete half of their MA degree before even finishing the bachelors degree.
Who can apply for JUMP in Applied Economics? To apply for JUMP, students have to meet the following requirements:
- Be an economics major (economics, business economics and mathematical economics);
- Have completed at least 60 hours total, with at least 24 hours at WKU;
- 3.0 overall GPA
- 15 hours of 200-level or higher economics courses with a minimum GPA of 3.25.
What's the typical timeline for JUMP? Students apply for JUMP after completing 60 undergraduate hours. After being admitted to JUMP, students take 4XXG- and 500-level courses, usually during their senior year. After completing their undergraduate degree, students apply to the MA program and take the remaining courses.
Do students have to maintain certain grades while in JUMP? Yes. JUMP students must maintain at least a 3.2 GPA in economics coursework and a 3.0 overall GPA to remain in good standing.
How to apply for JUMP? To apply or to find out more about the JUMP option, contact Dr. David Zimmer
- 270-745-2249
- econ@wku.edu
- Department of Economics
Grise Hall 432
1906 College Heights Blvd. #11059
Bowling Green, KY 42101-1059
The Gordon Ford College of Business is a top business school with dual AACSB accreditation in both business and accounting programs
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