Economics

Studying economics doesn’t teach you specific answers to a given question, but rather how to approach the question using reasonable and rational methods for obtaining the answer. UNC Charlotte’s economic programs will teach you to allocate scarce resources (like land, labor and capital) to the production of goods and services, and you’ll explore the growth of the world’s economies, tax policies, energy costs, inflation, unemployment, labor unions, tariffs and international trade.

With an economics degree from UNC Charlotte, you’ll learn:

Analytical and quantitative skills with strong research capabilities
To be detail-oriented and able to translate cause and effect relationships
The ability to use logic and reasoning to interpret data
Persuasive written and oral communication skills
Proficiency in Excel

The Department of Economics administers the Bachelor of Science in Economics degree, with an emphasis in either Business Administration or Liberal Arts and a Master of Science in Economics with concentrations in Economics and in Finance. A minor in Economics is also available.

Economics faculty also teach courses in the MBA program, the M.S. in Mathematical Finance program, the Ph.D. in Business Administration with a major in Finance program and the Ph.D. in Public Policy program.

The department also hosts a seminar series, featuring well-known academics presenting research of interest to faculty and graduate students in a variety of disciplines.

Undergraduate Economics Programs

BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

The Business Administration concentration is ideal for students who plan to pursue careers in business-related fields such as banking, finance and international commerce.

LIBERAL ARTS

Students planning to pursue a career in education or the social sciences, enter graduate school in economics or attend law school are encouraged to pursue the Major in Economics with a Liberal Arts Concentration.

Admission, progression requirements and all program requirements can be found in the Undergraduate Catalog.

Graduate Economics Programs

UNC Charlotte offers a Master of Science in Economics, with concentrations in economics or finance. Students completing this program are prepared for analytical and management positions that require the integration of economic analysis and advanced quantitative methods.

Not ready for a full master’s program? We also offer a graduate certificate in Applied Econometrics. This designated STEM program focuses on using data and statistics to answer questions and solve business-related problems.

Admission, progression requirements and all program requirements can be found in the Graduate Catalog.

Early Entry Programs

Undergraduate students with outstanding academic performance may apply for early entry to a graduate program and begin graduate coursework while completing undergraduate degree requirements.

learn more about early entry programs

Student Organizations

Alpha Kappa Psi

The Alpha Kappa Psi Eta Omega Chapter was founded in 1968 as the first fraternity on the UNC Charlotte campus. We are a co-ed professional business fraternity, though we accept all majors. Our main focus is professional development. We seek to enhance skills such as time management, teamwork, self-awareness, and public speaking. Other benefits include life-long friendships, leadership opportunities, internship connections, social events and academic support.

FACULTY SPOTLIGHT

John Connaughton

One of the top economists in North Carolina, Dr. Connaughton joined the UNC Charlotte faculty in 1978. He’s the director of the UNC Charlotte Economic Forecast, which is recognized as the leading source of economic information for North Carolina.

see the latest forecast

$113,940

Median U.S. annual salary for economists

Projected job growth rate for economists

78%

2021 grads employed full time; another 13% enrolled in continuing education.