Program Details
Economics, Bachelor of Science (College of Humanities and Sciences)
Bachelor of ScienceVirginia Commonwealth University
Economics is the science of human choice, the study of how individuals and businesses allocate scarce resources among competing uses. As an economics major, you'll gain an understanding of markets and incentives, and learn to evaluate current events and assess public policy. From our gateway course to our capstone programs, you'll develop the analytical and communication skills valued by employers. Our curriculum focuses on applying quantitative and data analysis expertise to address business, public policy, and socioeconomic concerns. We also help you build and refine your communication skills, preparing you to present your work professionally with confidence.
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 Virginia Commonwealth 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
Program Overview & Guidance

Program Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
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Is This Degree Right For Me? | Characteristics, traits, and interests of an economics major: Someone who always sees the big picture. Interested in history and politics, but likes data and numbers. A trends and research enthusiast who always keeps their nose in a book or a podcast on play. Sees grad school as a possibility. These were selected because most students within the economics major identify with these characteristics. Common entry-level jobs for graduates from VCU School of Business economics program: Budget, financial, or public policy; analyst; information scientist; economist; journalist; loan officer; market research analyst; personal financial advisor; research assistant; statistician; underwriter. |
What Should I Consider When Selecting Courses |
Complete the Associate of Arts & Sciences or Associate of Science in Business Administration to best prepare for this degree.
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Are there other program requirements beyond specific courses? | |
Do More With Your Degree | VCU offers an accelerated BS to MA in economics, which allows qualified students to earn both the BS and MA in economics in a minimum of five years by completing approved graduate courses during the senior year of their undergraduate program. Students holding these degrees will be more competitive when seeking positions requiring the acquisition, manipulation, and analysis of data. |
Program Successes & Highlights | Take advantage of three resources exclusively for VCU business students: Career services, mentoring, and STARS! Business Career Services offers career coaching to help students define their career goals, showcase their skills, apply for and secure internships and jobs, and more. Students who have an internship before graduation are more likely to have a full-time job offer before graduation AND secure a higher average starting salary when compared to students who do not have an internship. The VCU Business Mentoring Program matches undergraduate students with alumni and friends of VCU and gives them the chance to develop a supportive, professional relationship with a business professional as they prepare to transition into the professional sector. Snead Transfers Achieving REAL Success (STARS) is a program especially designed for business students transferring to VCU. The goals of the program are to create a community of current and former transfer students and to acclimate business students to resources and opportunities within Snead Hall. |
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 | Students who earn an Associate of Arts, Associate of Arts & Sciences, Associate of Science, General Education Certificate, or Uniform Certificate of General Studies from the Virginia Community College System or Richard Bland College may be eligible to participate in the Guaranteed Admission Agreement. Students with one of these degrees may also be eligible to have the majority of their general education requirements waived. Students who have earned an Associate of Arts, Associate of Arts & Sciences, or Associate of Science degree or the General Education Certificate before enrolling at VCU will have their General Education requirements waived. |
Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School | Students who have earned an Associate of Arts, Associate of Arts & Sciences, or Associate of Science degree or the General Education Certificate before enrolling at VCU will have their General Education requirements waived. |
Credit for Prior Learning | http://bulletin.vcu.edu/undergraduate/undergraduate-study/admission-university/additional-sources-of-credit/ |
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? | VCU is a large, research-driven institution nestled on two campuses in downtown Richmond, Virginia, offering a vast array of degree programs from arts to dental hygiene to engineering to education. VCU students have access to hundreds of student organizations, which is a great way to connect with others whether or not you choose to live in one of our many on-campus residence halls. Take advantage of VCU's location with access to the James River and its park system, internship and job opportunities, community engagement, and interstates to travel to the beach, the mountains, and Washington, D.C.. |
Transfer Student Catalog Year | Catalog year is determined by the student's first semester of degree-seeking attendance at VCU. |
First Year Student Catalog Year | Catalog year is determined by the student's first semester of degree-seeking attendance at VCU. |
Applying for Guaranteed Admissions | https://www.vcu.edu/admissions/apply/transfer/ |
Where Can This Degree Transfer

Institution | Title | Degree | Award Name | Award Level |
---|---|---|---|---|
Virginia Highlands Community College | Associate in Applied Science Degree in Management | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year |
Virginia Highlands Community College | Associate of Arts & Sciences in Business Administration - Spec in Business Information Tech | Associate | Associate of Arts and Sciences | 2-Year |
Rappahannock Community College | Associate of Applied Science in Business Management | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year |
Rappahannock Community College | Associate of Arts and Sciences in Business Administration | Associate | Associate of Arts and Sciences | 2-Year |
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College | Associate of Applied Science in Management - Small Business Management Specialization | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year |
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College | Associate of Science in Business Administration | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year |
Brightpoint Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Business Management - Project Management Specialization | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year |
Brightpoint Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Business Management - Digital Marketing Specialization | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year |
Virginia Western Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Management | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year |
Virginia Western Community College | Associate of Science Degree in Business Administration | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year |
Brightpoint Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Business Management | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year |
Brightpoint Community College | Associate of Science Degree in Business Administration | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year |
Richard Bland College | Associate of Science-Business Administration | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year |
Laurel Ridge Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Management | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year |
Laurel Ridge Community College | Associate of Arts & Sciences Degree in Business Administration | Associate | Associate of Arts & Science | 2-Year |
Southside Virginia Community College | Associate of Arts and Sciences with a major in Business Administration | Associate | Associate of Arts and Sciences | 2-Year |
Old Dominion University | Economics-BSBA | Bachelor | BS in Business Admin. | 4-Year |
Virginia Peninsula Community College | Associate of Science in Business Administration | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year |
Tidewater Community College | Associate of Applied Science - Management | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year |
Tidewater Community College | Associate of Science - Business Administration | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year |
Wytheville Community College | Associate of Arts & Sciences Degree in Business Administration | Associate | Associate of Arts & Science | 2-Year |
James Madison University | Bachelor of Business Administration, Major in Economics | Bachelor | Bachelor of Business Administration | 4-Year |
Paul D. Camp Community College | Associate of Arts & Sciences in Business Administration | Associate | Associate of Arts and Sciences | 2-Year |
Eastern Shore Community College | Business Administration | Associate | Associate of Arts and Sciences | 2-Year |
The University of Virginia's College at Wise | Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Management, Major in Business Administration | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year |
The University of Virginia's College at Wise | Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration and Management, Major in Business Administration | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year |
Germanna Community College | Business Administration Associate of Arts & Sciences Degree | Associate | Associate of Arts and Sciences | 2-Year |
Northern Virginia Community College | Business Management, A.A.S. | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year |
Northern Virginia Community College | Business Administration, A.S. | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year |
Careers Where This Degree Applies

O*Net Code | Name | Description | Parent |
---|---|---|---|
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 |
13-2054.00 | Financial Risk Specialists | Analyze and measure exposure to credit and market risk threatening the assets, earning capacity, or economic state of an organization. May make recommendations to limit risk. | Business and Financial Operations Occupations |
13-1111.00 | Management Analysts | Conduct organizational studies and evaluations, design systems and procedures, conduct work simplification and measurement studies, and prepare operations and procedures manuals to assist management in operating more efficiently and effectively. Includes program analysts and management consultants. | Business and Financial Operations 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 |