Economics
While economics does involve a lot of math and statistics, it's ultimately a social science that helps us understand how society uses resources, addressing challenges in areas such as politics, education, the environment and health care.
What to Expect
There are three undergraduate degree programs offered to economics majors at the University of South Carolina: a B.S. and B.A. in Economics offered through the College of Arts and Sciences, and a B.S. in Business Administration through the Darla Moore School of Business. Students earning a degree from the Moore School take additional business core courses, while students earning a degree from the College of Arts and Sciences take more courses in nonbusiness subjects.
All three degree programs are managed by the economics department in the Darla Moore School of Business, and all economics courses are taught by faculty at the Moore School.
Undergraduate Degree
Economics majors in the College of Arts and Sciences may earn the B.A. by completing the 24-hour major requirement along with the college core, distribution requirements and cultural-awareness and writing-emphasis requirements as described in the basic degree requirements in liberal arts. Bachelor of Arts degrees require an additional nine hours in the fine arts or humanities above Carolina Core requirements.
In addition to courses within your major, students in the College of Arts and Sciences must fulfill a cognate or minor. The cognate is intended to support the course work in the major, and it must consist of 12 hours of courses at the advanced level, outside of, but related to, the major. In place of the cognate, B.A. students can choose a minor consisting of at least 18 credit hours of prescribed courses. (Some minors in the sciences require a minimum of 16 hours.)
The following courses fulfill some of the requirements for the B.A. in Economics:
- Intermediate Microeconomic Theory
- Intermediate Macroeconomic Theory
- Senior Seminar in Economics
Economics majors in the College of Arts and Sciences may earn the B.S. by completing the 24-hour major requirement along with the college core, distribution requirements and cultural-awareness and writing-emphasis requirements as described in the basic degree requirements in liberal arts.
In addition to courses within your major, students in the College of Arts and Sciences must fulfill a cognate or minor. The cognate is intended to support the course work in the major, and it must consist of 12 hours of courses at the advanced level, outside of but related to, the major. In place of the cognate, B.A. students can choose a minor consisting of at least 18 credit hours of prescribed courses. (Some minors in the sciences require a minimum of 16 hours.)
The following courses fulfill some of the course requirements for the B.S. in Economics:
- Intermediate Microeconomic Theory
- Intermediate Macroeconomic Theory
- Senior Seminar in Economics
Business economics majors in the Darla Moore School of Business may opt for a 12-hour major or a 24-hour intensive major as described in the degree requirements for the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. This major combines course work in economics with the business course work in management science, accounting, management, marketing and finance, along with a general education core.
The following courses fulfill some of the course requirements for a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a major in business economics:
- Intermediate Microeconomic Theory
- Intermediate Macroeconomic Theory
- American Economic History
- International Trade Economics
Apply for Undergraduate Admission
Our Office of Undergraduate Admissions provides the most current information on the application process so you can check the requirements based on your current status and find university scholarships.
Graduate Degrees
The Darla Moore School of Business offers both a Master of Arts in Economics and a Ph.D. in Economics, as well as a dual degree with the School of Law.
Program Contact: Scott Ranges, 803-777-2748, sranges@moore.sc.edu
Application information for this degree is available through The Graduate School.
Program Contact: Scott Ranges, 803-777-2748, sranges@moore.sc.edu
Application information for this degree is available through The Graduate School.
Through special arrangement, the university offers dual degree programs in certain areas to permit a student to work on two degrees concurrently by combining credits, resulting in the student taking fewer courses than the total required if each degree were pursued independently. The Moore School and the School of Law offer a degree program that culminates in both a Master of Arts and a Juris Doctor (law degree).
Application information for this degree is available through The Graduate School.
Apply to Graduate School
Learn more about The Graduate School, degree options and how to apply for admission to doctoral, master’s, certificate and combination degree programs at South Carolina.