Economics is the study of how a society coordinates the production and distribution of goods and services across individuals. Economists collect data to study economic trends and relationships with the goal of informing public policy that can improve welfare.
As an economics major at Oxy, you’ll study a broad range of social issues, including inequality, health care, immigration, the environment, unemployment, trade, development, and economic growth. You’ll learn the theoretical and empirical tools of the economics profession, as well as strong problem solving, critical thinking, and communication skills to study and evaluate real-world problems. We have a wide range of elective courses from several different areas of focus:
- Business Economics
- Computational Economics
- Economics of Public Policy
- Economics of Social Justice and Inequality
- Mathematical Economics
Outside the classroom, you can pursue both independent and collaborative research projects with economics faculty during the school year and summer. Student research is an enriching academic experience and excellent preparation for research careers in academia, public policy, and private industry. Your research might explore any number of economic questions, for example, the tradeoffs of Covid-19 stay-at-home orders, the relationship between natural disasters and agricultural practices, and the effects of immigration enforcement on the mental health of Hispanic children. While there are many campus opportunities for you to engage further with economics, you can also take your learning abroad, participate in Oxy’s Kahane UN program, or use a Young Fund or Schwartz Fund grant to support independent studies and conference travel.
By studying economics you will develop the tools and skills to excel in a wide range of fields. Economics majors pursue careers in industries such as consulting, tech, government, research, NGOs, nonprofit, finance, law, social services, and more.