BS in Economics

As an economics major at Mason, you will be studying in one of the top economics programs in the world. You will be taking classes from professors well-known for their scholarship, their regular contributions in major national media such as the New York Times and the Washington Post, and their engaging blogs such as Café Hayek and Marginal Revolution. Two Nobel Prize winners, who were members of our department, set in place our strong foundation in free market economics, public choice, and experimental economics.

You will join bright and energetic students from all over the world who are active in organizations like our own Economics Society. You will have opportunities to pursue your own original research or an accelerated master’s degree, to study abroad, or to reach your career goals through internships. Students have interned at small entrepreneurial companies to large financial institutions such as the Bank of America. They also find internships in government, including the US Department of the Treasury, the Department of Commerce, and in congressional offices and Washington DC think tanks.

Our majors achieve success in a range of careers. They are financial analysts and economic forecasters, lawyers, managers, researchers in government, think tanks, and non-profits, entrepreneurs—even medical professionals and musicians. The great benefit of an economics degree is its versatility.

Our department offers two degrees in economics. The BA in Economics is designed for students with a strong interest in a broad education in the liberal arts tradition. You will develop the critical thinking skills particularly valuable for law school or graduate programs in business or public administration.

The BS in Economics provides a stronger emphasis on quantitative analysis. You will be well prepared for a career as an analyst in government, consulting, trade associations, or other private sector positions, and for graduate school in economics or more quantitative business administration programs. 

Our department offers two optional concentrations within the major: Managerial Economics and Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE).

Major Map

  Year 1 Years 2-3 Year 4
Academics
  • At CHSS/ECON Orientation, new and transfer students should choose between BA and BS, and discuss a Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE) or a Managerial Economics (ME) concentration with their advisor, to align with students’ career goals.
  • Both degrees are STEM designated as “Econometrics and Quantitative Economics” majors.
  • Meet with ECON major advisor to discuss eligibility for internship opportunities for ECON upper-level credit (ECON 398)
  • Meet with your ECON major advisor to discuss Mason Study Abroad International Internship opportunities for summer or semester programs for ECON upper-level credit
  • Meet with Dr. Jason Dunick to discuss Honors Thesis within the Economics major
  • Consider applying for an ECON or ECON-related BAM Program
  • Enroll in a job internship or professional development skills course through UNIV (consult first with your ECON major academic advisor) 
  • Apply for graduation
  • Consider submitting an abstract for the CHSS Undergraduate Research Symposium
  • Register for Apex/Synthesis Capstone (ECON 491 – ECON portfolio; or ECON 493 – Internship Capstone)

 
Career Prep
  • Visit the Career Services Center
  • Attend the fall and spring Career Fair to practice networking and interviewing skills
  • Follow the Career Services Calendar for on-campus employer visits; resume and professional skills work shops 
  • Work with the ECON Undergraduate Program Coordinator/major academic advisor to find an economics-related internship for ECON 398 to receive academic credit, by researching internships through the Career Services Center, Handshake, and by connecting with Mason LinkedIn Alumni
  • Attend a Career Services networking workshop; review undergraduate career resources on the Career Services web site (e.g., Career Readiness Guide, Interview Prep
  • Take a CliftonStrengths assessment with Mason’s Strength Academy to learn your professional strengths, talents,  and recommended career pathways
  • Contact professors to request letters of recommendation for future job applications
  • Meet with the ECON Undergraduate Program Coordinator/Academic Advisor to review your cover letter and resume for Economics-related post-graduation internship or job applications. 
Experiences
  • Join a student organization (e.g., Economics Society)
  • Consider studying abroad through Mason Korea or the Global Education Office (Note: students must meet with their ECON major advisor prior to applying for study abroad programs)
  • Network with faculty and fellow students who share your academic interests 
  • Attend Economics seminars and lectures offered on campus, research Economics fellowships and scholarships
  • Apply for an Undergraduate Research Scholars Program (URSP) with the Office of Student Creative Activities and Research (OSCAR) to conduct research and present a creative Economics-related project throughout the year.
  • Complete a graduation exit survey
  • Sign up on Mason’s LinkedIn page as an Economics Alumni
  • After graduation, contact Mason Career Services to request an Alumni Handshake account, and request to be added to the Mason Alumni Careers listserv for future career-related Mason alumni events 

Opportunities

All students have opportunities for research, global-engagement, public service, and career preparation.

  • Highly motivated students can do an independent research project with a faculty member. They are encouraged to apply to the accelerated master’s program in economics. Read more >>
  • Gain valuable work-related experience by interning at places such as Smith Barney, the International Monetary Fund, ExxonMobile, Merrill Lynch, or BB&T Bank. Read more >>
  • Join the GMU Econ Society, a club for students passionate about economics. Read more >>

 

* The programs and services offered by George Mason University are open to all who seek them. George Mason does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, ethnic national origin (including shared ancestry and/or ethnic characteristics), sex, disability, military status (including veteran status), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, pregnancy status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. After an initial review of its policies and practices, the university affirms its commitment to meet all federal mandates as articulated in federal law, as well as recent executive orders and federal agency directives.

Tags:

Economics