Immerse yourself in the global economy.

As an Economics student, you’ll discover and evaluate the behavior of consumers, businesses, labor unions and government - and their relation to each other. Explore local, regional, national and international economic challenges to find out what drives behavior and policy.

While preparing you for a career, Nichols Economics Program also offers excellent preparation for an MBA, law school or graduate-level study of international relations.

Career Opportunities

As an economics graduate, you’ll have a variety of career options in both the private and public sectors. These include careers in:

  • state and local government
  • federal and international agencies
  • business
  • finance and banking
  • insurance
  • consulting
  • teaching
  • politics
  • law

Nichols economics graduates are working as financial advisors, financial analysts, underwriters and business analysts. Some are pursuing graduate degrees. Recent graduates are employed in a variety of organizations, including:

  • Upromise Investments
  • Fidelity Investments
  • The Hanover Insurance Company
  • Webster Credit Union
  • Webster Five Cent Savings Bank
  • Commerce Insurance Co.

Recent Graduates Employed

  • Krystin Kerekes, Marketing and Economics: Product Marketing Associate, WB Mason
Specialization Courses

Nichols offers both a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree in economics.

Economics majors must complete 121 credit hours (approximately 40 courses), including courses from the foundation and business core curricula, focused electives and these required specialization courses:

ECON 303
 
Prices and the Market System		 3 Hours, 1 Semester
 

An intermediate course in microeconomics analyzing the process by which the decisions of households and business firms interact through a price system to influence the allocation of resources. Practical applications are used to illustrate the usefulness of economic theory.
Prerequisites: ECON 221 and ECON 222
ECON 304
 
Inflation, Employment and National Income		 3 Hours, 1 Semester
 

An intermediate macroeconomic course analyzing the determination of national income, employment, the price level, interest rates, and exchanges in the economy. Piece-by-piece, a theoretical model will be constructed that is capable of describing how each of these variables is determined. After the model is completed, the course investigates issues of business cycle theory, foreign trade, and macroeconomic policy. Special attention will be given to theoretical and policy debates.
Prerequisites: ECON 221 and ECON 222
ECON 307
 
Money, Banking and the Economy		 3 Hours, 1 Semester
 

An examination of the role that money, interest rates, and financial intermediaries play in the operation of the U.S. economy. The goal of the course is to give students an overview of the U.S. financial system and an understanding of the theory and practice of monetary policy. The topics blend institutional analysis with theoretical modeling and empirical/historical perspectives.
Prerequisites: ECON 221 and 222

 

Economics Electives (3)

At least 3 economics electives are also required from a list which includes: 

  •   International Economics 
  •   Government Finance 
  •   Urban and Regional Economics 
  •   Labor Economics 
  •   Economic History

College Catalog

Review or download the college catalog for additional details and information about courses and requirements.

Key Faculty
Louise Nordstrom
  • Louise Nordstorm
  • Program Chair
Hans Despain
  • Hans Despain

Questions about the Economics Program? Contact Professor Louise Nordstrom, Program Chair, at louise.nordstrom@nichols.edu or 508-213-2259.