Northern Arizona University

What you'll study

The Economics bachelor’s programme combines core economic theory with applied quantitative training. You will study how markets operate, how policies affect economic outcomes, and how to use data to answer real-world questions.

Core modules and topics

• Principles of Microeconomics and Macroeconomics — foundations of individual and aggregate behaviour.
• Intermediate Microeconomics and Intermediate Macroeconomics — formal analysis of markets, consumer and firm behaviour, growth and business cycles.
• Econometrics and Economic Statistics — regression analysis, hypothesis testing and empirical methods for causal inference.
• Mathematical Economics — optimisation, constrained choice and comparative statics using calculus and linear algebra.
• Public Finance and Policy Analysis — taxation, public goods, welfare and policy evaluation techniques.
• Electives such as International Economics, Labour Economics, Environmental and Resource Economics, Development Economics, Behavioural Economics and Game Theory.
• Capstone seminar or senior research project — a supervised empirical or theoretical research project that integrates coursework and professional skills.

Structure and learning methods

The curriculum typically combines general education requirements with major coursework and electives. Teaching formats include lectures, small seminars, computer labs for data analysis, and project-based assessments. Many students complement classroom learning with internships, research assistantships and study-abroad options to gain practical experience.

Entry requirements

Admission is based on academic preparation and evidence of readiness for university-level study. Typical requirements include:

• A completed high-school curriculum with strong performance in mathematics (algebra and precalculus) and social sciences.
• Transcripts showing solid grades; transfer applicants will need college-level coursework in quantitative subjects where applicable.
• International applicants must provide an equivalent secondary credential and demonstrate English language proficiency through recognised tests or prior English-medium study.
• Some applicants benefit from submitting a personal statement or information about relevant extracurricular experience, particularly if they have workplace, research or volunteer experience related to economics or data analysis.

Because economics is a quantitative major, programmes expect incoming students to be comfortable with algebra and basic statistics; remedial or preparatory courses may be advised for those who need them.

Career prospects

Graduates with a bachelor’s in Economics are prepared for a wide range of entry-level roles as well as for graduate study. Common career paths include:

• Economic or policy analyst roles in government agencies and public-sector organisations.
• Financial and business analyst positions in banks, consulting firms and corporations.
• Data analyst or research assistant roles in market research, think tanks and non-profit organisations.
• Risk, pricing or trading roles in financial services, and management trainee positions in industry.
• Progression to graduate study in economics, public policy, business (MBA) or data science for more specialised careers in academia, research or senior professional posts.

Employers value the degree’s combination of analytical thinking, data literacy and understanding of economic institutions.

Why study at Northern Arizona University

Northern Arizona University offers a learning environment with relatively small class sizes and opportunities for close faculty mentorship. The programme emphasises applied learning — students can access hands-on econometrics and data-analysis training using industry-standard software, participate in faculty-led research projects, and pursue internships with public and private employers in Flagstaff and the wider region.

NAU also provides pathways to cross-disciplinary study across business, public administration and environmental sciences, which is useful for students interested in policy, resource economics or sustainability. Support services such as career advising, research centres and study-abroad programmes help students build practical experience and professional networks before graduation.