Major in Economics

Understanding economics is important for anyone curious about wealth and poverty, financial events in the media, government programs and policies, and the structure of society.

A classical discipline, economics examines many of society’s most fundamental and controversial issues. As an integral part of a liberal arts education, economics explains how people and societies behave.

Careers and outcomes

The major in economics is designed for students with interests in either graduate studies (law, history, economics, business, sociology, political science, conflict transformation, economic development) or immediate employment in the public or private sector, like economics graduate Nessa Stoltzfus, who works for Oxfam America, an international relief organization. At Oxfam, Nessa coordinates the training of college students working toward social justice.

Our graduates are doing outstanding work in graduate school!

Double majors

To encourage double majors, the required credit hours are kept to a low 48 hours. To ensure economics majors have a liberal arts perspective, students are strongly encouraged to take upper-level courses that build on EMU’s core curriculum such as philosophy, history and art.

Economics majors do not need to take the business core courses.

Faculty

Chris Gingrich, Professor
Dr. Gingrich specializes in international trade and development issues. His international experience includes working 3 years in Haiti and 2 years in Nepal, both with Mennonite Central Committee. Most recently, he studied the economics of insecticide treated mosquito nets in Tanzania in conjunction with Mennonite Economic Development Associates (MEDA).
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Jim Leaman, Assistant Professor
Jim Leaman, Ph.D., is an EMU alum, having graduated with majors in business administration and computer science. He then gained several years experience in business management in the local region before enrolling at James Madison University, where he earned a Master’s in Public Administration (MPA) degree focusing on nonprofit management and administration.
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Walt Surratt, Assistant Professor
Walt came to EMU with nearly 30 years of experience as a professional economist mostly with NERA Economic Consulting where he performed quantitative economic analyses in support of clients engaged in litigation or seeking professional advice and consulting.
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