BA Economics and BS in Business Administration - Finance (Dual Degree)

Please click here to see Economics department information.

Please click here to see College of Liberal Arts and Sciences information.

The economics major provides flexibility and opportunity and can take you in many directions, both inside and outside of the field of economics. In fact, most economics majors do not work as economists, but in business careers of all varieties. The analytical and quantitative skills that one acquires as an economics major are much in demand in the job market and are also highly attractive to law schools and MBA programs. Whatever your career plans, economics training can give you the edge you need to further your long-term goals.

An economics major equips you with technical skills for investigating cause-and-effect relationships. Economists have the expertise to evaluate real-world data in a way that discovers patterns and predictability. In this respect, they can design strategies for individuals, firms, and governments that circumvent the harmful effects of economic disruptions. The keen analytical skills of an economics major who also understands financial markets are sought by businesses and institutions looking for knowledgeable leaders who can make informed decisions in dynamic environments.

Trained economists are employed by private businesses, banks, law firms, consulting firms, international corporations and agencies, public utilities, federal and local governments, and colleges and universities. Economists who work in the private sector spend much of their time using the tools of economics to analyze issues that are important to their employers. For instance, these economists might be called upon to forecast the demand for the company's product, to perform cost-benefit or optimal pricing analyses for potential projects, or to analyze the effects of government regulations on the company.

The BA program in economics provides training in basic economic theory, the use of statistical techniques to analyze economic phenomena, and more specific fields within economics, such as labor economics, international trade, developing and transitional economies, and money and banking. Economics majors from CU Denver have recently gone on to prestigious positions at companies such as Qwest, Merck Pharmaceuticals, Citicorp and Lockheed Martin, and to graduate schools at universities such as Harvard, Stanford, University of Chicago, University of Rochester, and Columbia.

The Economics Department at CU Denver is comprised of energetic, internationally recognized scholars who are publishing their cutting-edge research in prominent academic journals. In addition to their scientific publications, CU Denver economics professors have a direct impact on policy through avenues such as consulting for members of the US Congress and various branches of the Colorado state government, conducting federally funded policy-oriented research, and participating in local and national conferences and seminars. This research activity of the department allows the students to gain exposure to knowledge and tools at the frontiers of economic analysis. In addition, students receive the most up-to-date information and the latest analysis of such topics as taxation, the effectiveness of poverty programs, international trade and finance, economic foreign policy, the consequences of government intervention in the economy, the economic analysis of race and sex discrimination, and many other contemporary topics. Research publications of CU Denver professors can be found on faculty member's profiles.

Faculty are accessible and friendly, and the department provides plenty of opportunity to receive "hands-on" experience and training in the field of economics. They include teaching and research assistantships in the department, and internships under the guidance of the department. There are also opportunities to take economics classes at our campus overseas. Currently, students can take economics classes in Beijing, and receive full credit toward their major and CLAS requirements.

Finance Overview

Please click here to see Business School information.

The principal areas of study in finance are financial management in small and large businesses, investments, financial institutions, and international finance. The study of finance is intended to provide an understanding of fundamental theory and practice pertaining to finance; to make sound financial decisions. Students are taught to think logically about financial problems, so that they can formulate and implement value maximizing decisions and policies for the business. For this purpose, it is necessary to understand the importance of finance in the economy and the functions and purposes of monetary systems, credit, prices, money markets, and financial institutions. Emphasis is placed on financial policy, management, control, analysis, and decision making.

The finance major provides students with the skills to succeed in all areas of finance. Numerous job opportunities exist in the field of business finance and with financial institutions, mutual funds, securities firms, personal wealth management firms, and financial planning firms including positions involving an understanding and sale of securities.

Program Delivery

• This is an on-campus program.

Declaring This Major

• Click here to go to information about declaring a major in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences. Click here to go to information about declaring a major in the Business School.

These degree requirements are subject to periodic revision by the academic department, and the Business School and College of Liberal Arts and Sciences reserve the right to make exceptions and substitutions as judged necessary in individual cases. Therefore, students should consult regularly with their major advisors and CLAS advisor to confirm the best plans of study before finalizing them.