Program Details
Economics BS
Bachelor of ScienceLongwood University
One or more Transfer Guides are available in the Resource Center for this Institution. If you are a current Virginia Community College student or are planning to start at a Virginia Community College before transferring to this institution and program, please follow the Transfer Guide to plan your courses at the community college. If there is a program-specific Transfer Guide and a general or general studies Transfer Guide, you are advised to follow the program-specific Transfer Guide. Please see your community college advisor for assistance in selecting the best pathway.
The Bachelor of Science in Economics is designed to offer the student flexibility in fashioning the major. Students are taught to think critically about typical issues faced in business and social policy and how to analyze their implications. Emphasis is placed on exposing the student to decision-making tools used in a variety of career paths. All economics majors are required to take at least 36 hours of economics courses, including a research experience and economics internship. Students in Economics are valued in the job market, as they have highly marketable skills. The curriculum focuses on the application of the economic way of thinking as students refine their analytical and critical thinking skills. Many courses have students working with real world data, and all students participate in a senior research capstone experience that incorporates original research, technical writing for the discipline, and formal presentations. Students graduating from Longwood's Economics program have received job offers as economic developers, bankers, bank examiners, management consultants, government economists, investment analysts and corporate analysts, just to name a few. Employers include the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, Virgina State Corporation Commission, Anderson Consulting, Geico, First Market Bank of Richmond, Department of Defense, Capital One Financial, Virginia Department of Taxation, and AllianceBernstein Asset Management Company. Students have also been accepted to competitive graduate programs including Johns Hopkins, Texas A&M, George Mason, and James Madison University. Economics is also considered to be a traditional pre-law degree since students with an economics degree enter law school with well-refined analytical tools and an ability to think about complex issues. The Wall Street Journal has quoted Edward Tom of UC Berkeley School of Law as stating that "of all the majors, economics ranks in the top four or five consistently year after year for both applications and offers made. Logical reasoning and analytical skills are critical to legal studies." Furthermore, research has shown that economics majors tend to perform well on the LSAT exam. Research published in the Journal of Economics Education reports that of the 14 majors that had more than 2,000 students taking the exam, economics students received the highest average score in both of the time periods studied. There are two curricular tracks offered for the Bachelor of Science in Economics. The Economics and Business Concentration, focuses on economics while requiring students to take supporting courses in business. It is designed to prepare students for analytical positions in a variety of firms, government agencies, or nonprofit organizations. The General Economics Concentration provides the most flexibility in both course work and career choices. Students can use elective credits to add a minor, take courses in preparation for graduate school, or possibly double major. Students wanting a social-science orientation will find the General Economics Track appealing.
Program Overview & Guidance

Program Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
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Considerations for Selecting Degree | Economics is a social science with a focus on developing and applying careful analytical analyses to a host of real world issues. This degree is math intensive, and requires an intensive research project as part of its capstone course. |
Considerations When Selecting Courses |
To be on track in Economics it is important to complete the principles courses in Microeconomics and Macroeconomics.
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Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses | |
Doing More With Your Degree | The Economics degree allows students wide flexibility in focusing their studies towards business issue or tailor their study from more traditional, social science related inquiry. Students have double majored in Math or Business. |
Program Successes & Highlights | All students in this major complete a meaningful, in-the-discipline internship as well as a unique research paper. We have had many students present their work at academic conferences, often leading to highly successful job market outcomes. |
Program Credit Requirements

If you wish to see how your credits may apply, you can:
- Contact the institution where a staff member can help you map your credits to the requirements for this program.
- View the program requirements listed in the institution's catalog.
Applicable Admissions Agreements

The table below lists admissions agreements between Longwood University and partner institutions that may guarantee admission to this program if you meet the required criteria. Click on the title name of the agreement to view a summary of those criteria.
You can view the full text of these Agreements in the Resource Center
What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?

Transfer Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
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Associate Transfer Degree Completion | If you earn a transfer-oriented associate's degree (Associate of Arts and/or Science) from one of the Virginia community colleges or Richard Bland College and you are admitted to Longwood, you are guaranteed completion of all Foundation-level courses as well as the Integrating World Languages Perspectives-level course associated with Civitae (Longwood’s core curriculum program). |
Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School |
Credit for Prior Learning | http://www.longwood.edu/registrar/transfer-of-credits/transfer-equivalency-system/ |
Did You Know That... |
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College Level Information

College Fit Guidance | What You Need to Know |
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Is This College Right For Me? | Longwood is a mid-sized university where students enjoy the highest percentage of classes taught by full-time professors in Virginia and a residential academic community that offers students the full university experience. Class sizes are smaller than average--our Civitae Core Curriculum classes are capped at 25 students--throughout our more than 100 majors, minors, and concentrations. With seven on-campus residence halls and two university-managed apartment complexes, students live, learn, and grow together in a true community. Opportunities for students to be involved are the hallmark of the Longwood experience. From service organizations and Greek life to club sports and a long list of clubs based on interests and activities, there is something for everyone at Longwood. Each semester, an involvement fair helps students find organizations that are the right fit for them to make their time at Longwood even more meaningful. |
Transfer Student Catalog Year | Transfer students may choose the catalog in effect at the time they enroll or the one that applies to continuous full-time students at their class level. |
First Year Student Catalog Year | New students join the catalog year in effect during their first matriculating semester. |
Applying for Guaranteed Admissions | Students transferring from an institution with a transfer agreement are guaranteed admission to Longwood when they have finished their transfer-oriented associate's degree (Associate of Arts and/or Science) and earned a 2.5 cumulative GPA. Students who are admitted prior to earning the transfer-oriented associate's degree (Associate of Arts and/or Science) and complete the degree before enrolling at Longwood also will receive the articulation benefits upon submission of an official transcript. |
Where Can This Degree Transfer

Institution | Title | Degree | Award Name | Award Level | Delivery Mode |
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Eastern Mennonite University | Bachelor of Arts Economics | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Hollins University | BA in Economics | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Mountain Gateway Community College | Associate of Science Degree in General Studies | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online |
Eastern Shore Community College | Associate of Science Degree in General Studies | Associate | Associate in Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Germanna Community College | Associate of Arts & Sciences Degree in Liberal Arts | Associate | Associate of Arts and Sciences | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid, Online |
Germanna Community College | Associate of Arts & Sciences Degree in General Studies | Associate | Associate of Arts and Sciences | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid, Online |
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College | Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts | Associate | Associate of Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College | Associate of Science in General Studies | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College | Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts - American Sign Language/Deaf Studies Major | Associate | Associate of Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Brightpoint Community College | Associate of Arts Degree in Liberal Arts | Associate | Associate of Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Brightpoint Community College | Associate of Science Degree in General Studies | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Laurel Ridge Community College | Associate of Art degree in Liberal Arts | Associate | Associate of Art | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Laurel Ridge Community College | Associate of Science Degree in General Studies | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Northern Virginia Community College | General Studies, A.S. | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online |
Northern Virginia Community College | Liberal Arts, A.A. | Associate | Associate of Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Online |
Rappahannock Community College | AA&S Degree in Arts and Sciences | Associate | Associate of Arts and Sciences | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Wytheville Community College | Associate of Arts & Sciences Degree in General Studies | Associate | Associate of Arts & Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Southside Virginia Community College | Associate of Arts and Sciences with a major in General Studies | Associate | Associate of Arts and Sciences | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid, Online |
Virginia Peninsula Community College | Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts | Associate | Associate of Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Online |
Tidewater Community College | Associate of Arts - Liberal Arts | Associate | Associate of Arts | 2-Year | Online |
Tidewater Community College | Associate of Science - General Studies | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | Online |
Virginia Western Community College | Associate of Arts Degree in Liberal Arts | Associate | Associate of Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Virginia Western Community College | Associate of Science Degree in General Studies | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Sweet Briar College | Bachelor of Arts in Economics | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Christopher Newport University | Bachelor of Arts in Economics, Major in Economics | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Christopher Newport University | Bachelor of Arts in Economics, Major in Economics, Concentration in Mathematical Economics | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
James Madison University | Bachelor of Science, Major in Economics | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
James Madison University | Bachelor of Arts, Major in Economics | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Richard Bland College | Associate of Science | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | Online, In-Person |
Roanoke College | Bachelor of Arts in Economics | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Radford University | BBA in Economics | Bachelor | Bachelor of Business Administration | 4-Year | In-Person |
University of Lynchburg | BA in Economics | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
George Mason University | Economics, BA | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person, Online |
George Mason University | Economics, BS | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person, Online |
William & Mary | Economics - Bachelor of Arts | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
University of Mary Washington | BS in Economics: Applied Econ. | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
University of Mary Washington | BS in Economics | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
Marymount University | Economics (BS) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
Bridgewater College | Economics Major - BA | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Randolph College | Bachelor of Arts in Economics | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Emory & Henry University | Applied History Social Sciences (BA) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Emory & Henry University | Economics (BA) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Emory & Henry University | History (BA) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Emory & Henry University | Interdisciplinary History and Integrative Social Sciences Teacher Preparation (BA) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Emory & Henry University | Interdisciplinary History and Social Sciences Teacher Preparation (BA) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Emory & Henry University | Interdisciplinary Mathematics & Teacher Preparation (BA) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Randolph-Macon College | Economics (BA) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Careers Where This Degree Applies

O*Net Code | Name | Description | Parent |
---|---|---|---|
11-9199.11 | Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers | Plan and direct cleanup and redevelopment of contaminated properties for reuse. Does not include properties sufficiently contaminated to qualify as Superfund sites. | Management Occupations |
11-9199.02 | Compliance Managers | Plan, direct, or coordinate activities of an organization to ensure compliance with ethical or regulatory standards. | Management Occupations |
25-1063.00 | Economics Teachers, Postsecondary | Teach courses in economics. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research. | Educational Instruction and Library Occupations |
19-3011.00 | Economists | Conduct research, prepare reports, or formulate plans to address economic problems related to the production and distribution of goods and services or monetary and fiscal policy. May collect and process economic and statistical data using sampling techniques and econometric methods. | Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations |
19-3011.01 | Environmental Economists | Conduct economic analysis related to environmental protection and use of the natural environment, such as water, air, land, and renewable energy resources. Evaluate and quantify benefits, costs, incentives, and impacts of alternative options using economic principles and statistical techniques. | Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations |
11-9199.08 | Loss Prevention Managers | Plan and direct policies, procedures, or systems to prevent the loss of assets. Determine risk exposure or potential liability, and develop risk control measures. | Management Occupations |
11-9199.00 | Managers, All Other | All managers not listed separately. | Management Occupations |
11-9199.01 | Regulatory Affairs Managers | Plan, direct, or coordinate production activities of an organization to ensure compliance with regulations and standard operating procedures. | Management Occupations |
25-2031.00 | Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | Teach one or more subjects to students at the secondary school level. | Educational Instruction and Library Occupations |
19-4061.00 | Social Science Research Assistants | Assist social scientists in laboratory, survey, and other social science research. May help prepare findings for publication and assist in laboratory analysis, quality control, or data management. | Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations |
19-3022.00 | Survey Researchers | Plan, develop, or conduct surveys. May analyze and interpret the meaning of survey data, determine survey objectives, or suggest or test question wording. Includes social scientists who primarily design questionnaires or supervise survey teams. | Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations |
11-9199.10 | Wind Energy Development Managers | Lead or manage the development and evaluation of potential wind energy business opportunities, including environmental studies, permitting, and proposals. May also manage construction of projects. | Management Occupations |
11-9199.09 | Wind Energy Operations Managers | Manage wind field operations, including personnel, maintenance activities, financial activities, and planning. | Management Occupations |
Cost To Complete
