university of illinois springfield

What you'll study

The programme centres on core economics courses—microeconomics, macroeconomics and econometrics—paired with environmental and policy-focused units. Typical modules include:

• Principles of Microeconomics and Macroeconomics – foundational theory and market analysis.
• Intermediate Microeconomics – consumer and producer theory, market failures and welfare economics.
• Econometrics and Applied Statistics – regression analysis, hypothesis testing and tools for empirical research.
• Environmental Economics – valuation of environmental goods, externalities, public goods and ecosystem services.
• Natural Resource and Energy Economics – renewable and non-renewable resource management, extraction, and energy markets.
• Environmental Policy and Regulation – design and evaluation of regulatory and market-based instruments such as taxes, subsidies and tradable permits.
• Cost–Benefit Analysis and Project Appraisal – methods for assessing public projects and policy trade-offs.
• Electives and Technical Skills – GIS, environmental law, public finance, and advanced data analysis or programming for economists.

Students typically complete general education requirements alongside the major, and many programmes include a capstone seminar, independent research project or internship to apply economic tools to real-world environmental questions.

Entry requirements

Admission to an undergraduate programme at University of Illinois Springfield normally requires a recognised secondary school diploma or equivalent. Applicants should present a competitive academic record with coursework in mathematics; preparation in calculus, statistics or advanced algebra is strongly recommended. UIS operates a test-optional policy for standardised tests, but submission of SAT/ACT scores may be considered where available.

Transfer students from community colleges are welcomed; successful applicants typically present college transcripts showing completion of introductory economics, calculus or statistics and a satisfactory GPA. International applicants must meet English language proficiency requirements as set out by the university.

Career prospects

Graduates with an economics degree and an environmental policy focus pursue careers across government, industry, consulting and non-profit sectors. Common roles include:

• Environmental economist or policy analyst in local, state or federal agencies
• Sustainability or natural resource analyst for utilities, energy companies and environmental consultancies
• Research or data analyst in think tanks, NGOs and international development organisations
• Regulatory affairs specialist, compliance officer or environmental planner
• Further study at graduate level in economics, environmental science, public policy or law

The programme develops quantitative, analytical and communication skills valued in roles that require cost–benefit assessment, programme evaluation, environmental impact analysis and policy design.

Why study at university of illinois springfield

University of Illinois Springfield offers a personalised campus environment with small class sizes that allow close interaction with faculty who have applied and policy-relevant expertise. The Economics Department emphasises applied empirical training combined with interdisciplinary options across public policy, environmental studies and GIS, enabling students to tailor their studies to regulatory, resource or sustainability-focused careers.

Students benefit from opportunities for internships in state and regional agencies (including state government in Springfield), community partnerships and research projects that connect economic analysis to real environmental policy challenges. Academic advising and career services support preparation for employment or postgraduate study.