Study Economics in Virginia

Earning an online economics degree in Virginia enables you to build strong analytical and economic reasoning skills while studying from anywhere. Schools such as Old Dominion University, George Mason University, Virginia Commonwealth University, James Madison University, and Virginia State University offer online bachelor’s and master’s programs in economics or related fields.

Best Virginia Online Economics Degrees

Online Economics Degrees in Virginia

Listed below are some of the popular schools offering online economics degrees in Virginia:

  • Old Dominion University
  • George Mason University
  • Virginia Commonwealth University
  • James Madison University
  • Virginia State University
  • University of Virginia
  • Liberty University

Old Dominion University

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration – Economics Major (Online & On-Campus)

Old Dominion University offers a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (B.S.B.A.) in Economics through the Strome College of Business. Students can complete the program fully online via ODUGlobal or in a traditional on-campus format. The degree requires a minimum of 120 credit hours, combining a business core, economics major courses, general education, and free electives.

The BSBA in Economics blends general business knowledge—accounting, finance, management, marketing—with a structured sequence of economics courses in microeconomics, macroeconomics, statistics, econometrics, and applied fields. This structure is ideal if you’re aiming for careers that demand both business literacy and strong analytical skills, such as financial analysis, consulting, policy analysis, or data-driven roles in government and industry.

Students usually complete the program in about four years of full-time study, though the online format is very friendly to part-time and transfer students. ODU publishes detailed transfer guides and four-year plans that show how to move from introductory courses into the business and economics major sequence. Many students bring in community college credits and then finish their junior and senior-level coursework online through ODU.

Within the economics major, you’ll take required courses in principles of macro- and microeconomics, intermediate theory, quantitative methods, and at least three upper-division economics electives. These electives cover areas like international trade and finance, urban and regional economics, environmental and natural resource economics, and labor and transportation economics. The result is a broad, applied economics education grounded in real-world issues.

Because the program sits inside the AACSB-accredited Strome College of Business, you also benefit from a full business core—courses in operations management, information systems, business analytics, organizational behavior, and strategic management. This combination means you graduate not just as an economist, but as a business professional who understands markets, data, and organizations.

For high-achieving students, ODU offers linked or accelerated pathways that let you begin graduate-level work (such as the M.P.A. or M.B.A.) while finishing the undergraduate degree. This can shorten the total time to a master’s and deepen your preparation for leadership or advanced analytical roles.

Courses and Curriculum

The BSBA in Economics begins with foundations in general education, business pre-requisites, and introductory economics. You’ll start with English composition, public speaking, math, and introductory statistics, along with ECON 201S – Principles of Macroeconomics and ECON 202S – Principles of Microeconomics. These early courses establish your understanding of how markets work, how economies grow and fluctuate, and how to read basic economic data and graphs.

You’ll then move into the business core and intermediate economics. Courses such as financial and managerial accounting, business information systems, operations management, and business analytics run alongside ECON 304 – Intermediate Microeconomic Theory and ECON 305 – Intermediate Macroeconomic Theory. At this stage you study consumer and producer behavior, market structures, aggregate demand and supply, and long-run growth models using more formal mathematical and graphical tools.

Upper-division requirements and electives allow you to specialize and build a portfolio of applied work. You’ll take at least three 300- or 400-level economics electives—for example, international economics, natural resource and environmental economics, urban economics, labor economics, or transportation economics—as well as a capstone strategy course in the business core. Many of these classes incorporate case studies, policy memos, and empirical projects that require you to pull together theory, data, and writing.

Some of the core courses that you will take include:

  • ECON 201S – Principles of Macroeconomics – Introduces national income, unemployment, inflation, business cycles, and long-run growth. You’ll examine how fiscal and monetary policies are designed and how they influence the overall economy, with frequent reference to current events and Federal Reserve actions.
  • ECON 202S – Principles of Microeconomics – Focuses on buyers and sellers in individual markets, covering supply and demand, consumer choice, production and cost, market structures, and the role of government when markets fail. This course builds the “economic way of thinking” you’ll use throughout the major.
  • ECON 304 – Intermediate Microeconomic Theory – Develops more advanced models of consumer and firm behavior using algebra and calculus. Topics typically include utility maximization, cost minimization, profit maximization, market power, price discrimination, and game-theoretic strategic interaction.
  • ECON 305 – Intermediate Macroeconomic Theory – Examines in detail how output, employment, and prices are determined in the short and long run. You’ll study models of economic growth, business cycles, expectations, and open-economy macroeconomics, and you’ll analyze the potential and limits of stabilization policy.
  • ECON 447 – Natural Resource and Environmental Economics – Applies economic tools to environmental issues such as pollution, climate policy, resource scarcity, and conservation. You’ll analyze externalities, property rights, cost–benefit analysis, and policy instruments like taxes, permits, and regulation.
  • ECON 445 – Urban Economics – Investigates why cities form and grow, how land and housing markets work, and what drives issues like congestion, urban poverty, and local public finance. Projects often ask you to analyze regional data and evaluate local policy proposals.
  • ECON 450 – International Economics – Covers trade theory and policy, comparative advantage, tariffs and quotas, exchange rates, and balance of payments. You’ll learn to interpret international data and evaluate the economic impact of trade agreements and currency movements.
  • ECON 451 – History of Economic Thought – Surveys the development of economic ideas from classical and neoclassical economists to modern macro and micro theorists. The course helps you see how today’s models evolved and how economic thought responds to historical challenges.
Popular Elective Courses
  • Labor Economics
  • Transportation Economics
  • Public Finance
  • Economic Development
  • Health Economics
  • Regional and Urban Economics
Practical Experience

Old Dominion emphasizes applied, career-ready learning throughout the economics major. In many upper-division courses you’ll work with real data sets—such as labor statistics, financial data, or regional economic indicators—using spreadsheet tools and statistical software to clean data, estimate models, and present results. Writing-intensive courses ask you to summarize your findings in policy briefs or business-style reports aimed at decision-makers.

Through the Strome College of Business, students can pursue internships with banks, insurance companies, logistics and transportation firms, regional planning agencies, and government offices in Hampton Roads and beyond. Online students can often arrange internships where they live while still benefiting from ODU’s career services, virtual recruiting events, and alumni network. These experiences let you test potential careers, gain professional references, and build a resume that highlights both business and economics skills.

Learning Outcomes
  • Explain and apply core concepts in microeconomics and macroeconomics to analyze markets, policy, and business decisions.
  • Use quantitative methods—including mathematics, statistics, and basic econometrics—to model economic relationships and interpret data.
  • Evaluate the effects of government policies, regulation, and global economic forces on households, firms, and industries.
  • Communicate economic analysis clearly in written reports, visualizations, and presentations tailored to professional and policy audiences.
  • Integrate knowledge from accounting, finance, management, and marketing with economics to support sound business strategy.
  • Demonstrate critical thinking and problem-solving skills through applied projects, case studies, and, where applicable, internship experiences.
Career Preparation & Outcomes

The BSBA in Economics at ODU prepares you for roles that require both business acumen and analytical depth. Graduates pursue careers as economic or business analysts, financial or credit analysts, policy and budget analysts, market researchers, consultants, and data analysts in both the public and private sectors. The degree also provides a strong foundation for graduate study in economics, public policy, business administration, or law.

ODU’s Center for Career & Leadership Development supports students with resume workshops, mock interviews, employer information sessions, and job fairs focused on business and STEM fields. According to federal College Scorecard data, Old Dominion University has an overall graduation rate of about 56%.

Admissions Requirements
  • High school diploma or equivalent with a college-preparatory curriculum, including mathematics (through algebra II; pre-calculus or calculus recommended) and English.
  • Submission of official high-school transcripts; transfer applicants must submit transcripts from all colleges or universities previously attended.
  • Admission to Old Dominion University as a degree-seeking student; separate application to the Strome College of Business may be required once prerequisite courses are completed.
  • Completion or placement into appropriate math and writing courses early in the degree so you are prepared for intermediate economics and quantitative business classes.
  • For online students, compliance with any ODUGlobal technical and residency requirements, including the minimum number of ODU credits required for graduation.
  • International applicants must demonstrate English-language proficiency (e.g., TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo scores) and provide required financial and academic documentation.
Application Deadlines

Old Dominion University enrolls new students for Fall and Spring terms, with some options for Summer starts, especially through ODUGlobal. Priority deadlines for Fall admission are typically in the early spring, with rolling consideration thereafter as space allows.

George Mason University

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) and Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Economics

George Mason University offers both a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Economics and a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Economics through its Department of Economics in the College of Humanities & Social Sciences. Each program is built within a typical undergraduate framework of around 120 credit hours including major requirements, general education and electives.

The B.A. is designed for students who want a broad liberal-arts-based economics education, ideal if you are considering graduate school in law, public administration, or international affairs. The B.S. offers a stronger quantitative emphasis with more advanced statistics and mathematics—suitable for careers in economic analysis, consulting, government data work or graduate study in economics, quantitative business or data science.

Both degree tracks leverage George Mason’s strategic location near Washington, D.C., offering access to internships, policy research opportunities, and practitioner networks. Both programs are now designated as STEM-eligible for international students. Students finish the degrees in about four years of full-time study, though many transfer or part-time students can spread this over more semesters.

Each major begins with foundational courses in microeconomics, macroeconomics, and mathematics/statistics. Afterward, you advance into intermediate theory, econometrics, and elective specialisations such as Managerial Economics (for the B.S.) or Philosophy-Politics-Economics (PPE) (available for either track). Honours and independent research options are also available.

The program emphasises applied learning: many students complete internships, independent research, capstone projects, or study abroad. The department encourages students to build professional-level portfolios, engage with policy platforms and business research, and align their curriculum with career goals in business, government or academia.

Courses and Curriculum

In the first year you complete macroeconomics and microeconomics under the Mason Core (e.g., ECON 103 Contemporary Microeconomic Principles and ECON 104 Contemporary Macroeconomic Principles) plus required mathematics (such as Analytic Geometry & Calculus I and II) and introductory statistics. These establish your economic vocabulary, mathematical reasoning and quantitative foundation.

In the intermediate phase you take courses such as Intermediate Microeconomics (ECON 306), Intermediate Macroeconomics (ECON 311), and Introduction to Econometrics (ECON 345). These classes emphasize model development, empirical analysis, optimization, and the interplay between policy and markets. You also select statistics sequences or analytic substitutes depending on your track.

In the upper-division phase you choose electives and concentrations. For example, in the B.S. with a concentration in Managerial Economics you might take courses in Money & Banking, Industrial Organization, Law & Economics or Game Theory. In the B.A. you might choose a PPE concentration involving philosophy, politics, and economics. Many courses include data projects, team work, simulation, case studies and a capstone (e.g., ECON 491 or ECON 493 Internship/Capstone) that integrate theory and practice.

Some of the core courses that you will take include:

  • ECON 103 – Contemporary Microeconomic Principles — Introduces fundamentals of consumer and firm behaviour, supply and demand, market efficiency and welfare concepts.
  • ECON 104 – Contemporary Macroeconomic Principles — Explores aggregate economic issues: GDP, unemployment, inflation, growth and policy responses.
  • ECON 306 – Intermediate Microeconomics — Develops optimization, cost/production theory, market structures, strategic interactions and welfare analysis under more formal modelling.
  • ECON 311 – Intermediate Macroeconomics — Studies advanced macro systems including growth theory, business cycles, expectations, open-economy macroeconomics, and stabilization policy.
  • ECON 345 – Introduction to Econometrics — Covers regression analysis, hypothesis testing, data diagnostics and interpreting real-world economic data using statistical software.
  • ECON 308 – Managerial Economics and Strategy — Applies microeconomic theory to business decisions: pricing, cost analysis, market entry, firm boundaries and strategy (often a B.S. elective).
  • ECON 390 – International Economics — Examines trade theory, policy, exchange rates, global capital flows and how firms and nations respond to globalization.
  • ECON 491/493 – Capstone Internship/Research Seminar — Culminating experience where students conduct independent research or complete a practicum/internship, integrating theory, data and communication.
Popular Elective Courses
  • Labor Economics
  • Environmental & Resource Economics
  • Public Finance & Tax Policy Economics
  • Health Economics
  • Industrial Organization & Competition Strategy
  • Behavioral & Experimental Economics
Practical Experience

At George Mason University you’ll have access to applied and experiential learning opportunities. Internships with government agencies, consulting firms, research institutes, nonprofits and corporations in the Washington, D.C. region are common for economics majors. Many students complete capstone internships (ECON 493) or independent research (ECON 495) under faculty supervision, presenting their work at research symposia or publishing in journals.

The department also offers study-abroad and international internship pathways, resources through the Mercatus Center and other policy-oriented institutes, student chapter of the Economics Society, and networking events that tie your academic work to professional contexts. Coursework and projects regularly include data analysis, policy briefs, business cases, and presentations—helping you build a professional portfolio before you graduate.

Learning Outcomes
  • Apply microeconomic and macroeconomic theory to analyse behaviour of individuals, firms, governments and market systems.
  • Use quantitative and econometric methods to collect, analyse and interpret economic data for decision-making and research.
  • Evaluate how trade, regulation, markets, globalization, policy and institutional structures affect economic outcomes and business strategy.
  • Communicate economic analysis clearly in written reports, visualisations and oral presentations to professional or academic audiences.
  • Tailor a concentration or electives to align your economics training with career goals in consulting, business analytics, public policy, finance or graduate studies.
  • Develop a professional portfolio of applied economic work—including research, data analysis and presentations—that demonstrates readiness for employment or advanced study.
Career Preparation & Outcomes

Graduates of George Mason University’s economics programs go on to roles such as economic analyst, financial or data analyst, policy researcher, consultant, market strategist, and researcher in think-tanks or government agencies. The strong analytical and quantitative emphasis of the B.S. especially prepares students for work in data-intensive environments and graduate programmes. The liberal-arts orientation of the B.A. provides flexibility toward law school, public administration, or international studies.

Because George Mason is located near Washington, D.C., economics majors frequently intern at major organisations and research institutions, giving them strong professional exposure and career preparation. The availability of fully online options through Mason Online further supports working adults or transfer students seeking flexibility.

George Mason University’s graduation rates are approximately 48% for a four-year degree, 71% for a six-year degree, and 73% for an eight-year degree.

Admissions Requirements
  • High school diploma or equivalent with a college-preparatory curriculum including mathematics (through at least algebra II, pre-calculus recommended) and English composition.
  • Submission of official high-school transcripts; transfer applicants must also submit transcripts of all previously attended colleges/universities.
  • For the economics major: completion or placement readiness in mathematics/statistics (such as calculus I) is strongly recommended prior to or early in the major sequence.
  • Applicants are encouraged to meet with a departmental advisor to choose between the B.A. and B.S. tracks and any concentration (Managerial Economics or PPE) that fits their goals.
  • International applicants must provide proof of English-language proficiency (such as TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo) if required.
Application Deadlines

George Mason University admits students for the Fall and Spring semesters. Priority deadlines vary based on program (freshman vs transfer) and international status. Prospective economics majors—especially those seeking the accelerated master’s option—should apply early.

Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU)

Bachelor of Science in Economics

Virginia Commonwealth University offers a strong undergraduate B.S. in Economics through the School of Business (and also via the College of Humanities & Sciences). The degree is designed to be completed within approximately 120 credit hours, combining general education, economics major requirements, and electives.

The program emphasizes analytical reasoning, quantitative skills, and real-world economic modeling. You’ll gain the ability to interpret economic data, build economic models, and understand how policies or business decisions impact markets, organisations and households.

The curriculum allows you to choose from two major pathways: the business-economics track (through the School of Business) and the liberal-arts economics track (through the College of Humanities & Sciences). The business track adds business foundations such as accounting, finance, and operations management; the liberal-arts track offers greater flexibility and electives. Both tracks prepare you for careers in business, government, consulting or graduate study.

The program also supports an accelerated B.S. to M.A. in Economics option, enabling qualified students to start graduate-level economics courses during their senior undergraduate year and complete both degrees in about five years.

Students typically complete the program in four years full-time, though part-time and transfer students have flexibility. Because VCU is located in Richmond, students benefit from proximity to business centres, government agencies and policy organisations offering internships and applied experience.

Because the major emphasises quantitative analysis, you are strongly encouraged to undertake additional coursework in mathematics and statistics—such as Calculus and introductory Econometrics—to enhance your readiness for high-level analytic roles or graduate study.

Courses and Curriculum

The introductory phase of the major includes gateway courses such as Principles of Microeconomics and Principles of Macroeconomics, plus required mathematics or statistics (for example MATH 200 or BUSN 212). These courses build your understanding of how markets allocate resources, how macroeconomic aggregates behave, and how to interpret basic economic data and graphs.

Intermediate courses move into Microeconomic Theory, Macroeconomic Theory and Econometrics/Statistical Methods. At this stage you’ll learn to build and interpret economic models, estimate relationships in data, test hypotheses and apply economic reasoning to business and policy problems.

In the upper-division phase, students select elective and advanced topics—such as Labor Economics, International Economics, Money and Banking, Environmental Economics, and Advanced Econometrics. Many courses involve projects, data-analysis assignments, and professional-style presentation of findings that tie theory to practice.

Some of the core courses that you will take include:

  • ECON 210 – Principles of Microeconomics — Examines consumer and firm behaviour, market supply and demand, elasticity, market structures, welfare and government intervention.
  • ECON 211 – Principles of Macroeconomics — Studies national output, unemployment, inflation, business cycles, fiscal and monetary policy and long-run growth.
  • ECON 301 – Microeconomic Theory — Develops formal models of decision-making by consumers and firms, optimisation, strategic interaction and welfare analysis.
  • ECON 302 – Macroeconomic Theory — Covers advanced macro topics including growth theory, expectations, open-economy issues and policy evaluation.
  • ECON 403 – Introduction to Mathematical Economics — Introduces applied mathematical methods and optimisation in economic modelling (recommended for quantitative track).
  • ECON 431 – Labor Economics — Analyses labour markets, wage determination, human capital, discrimination and policy interventions.
  • ECON 441 – Experimental Economics — Uses experimental methods to study behaviour and decision‐making in economic contexts, including designing and analysing experiments.
  • ECON 501 – Introduction to Econometrics — Graduate‐level econometrics course undergraduate majors may take for advanced preparation in data-driven analysis.
Popular Elective Courses
  • International Economics
  • Environmental & Resource Economics
  • Public Finance & Tax Policy
  • Health Economics
  • Industrial Organisation & Strategy
  • Behavioral Economics
Practical Experience

VCU’s economics program emphasizes applied learning through internships, research assignments and data-analysis projects. Students can participate in the Experimental Laboratory for Economics and Business Research, join the Student Economics Association, engage with the Richmond Association for Business Economics, and complete professional-style presentations of their work.

Because VCU is located in Richmond with access to government, policy organisations, business and consulting firms, students have opportunities to work in real-world environments and build analytical portfolios aligned with employment or graduate study goals.

Learning Outcomes
  • Apply microeconomic and macroeconomic concepts to analyse market behaviour, firms and policy impacts.
  • Use statistical and econometric techniques to collect, analyse and interpret economic and business data for decision-making.
  • Evaluate the effects of government policies, regulation, globalisation and market structures on economic outcomes.
  • Communicate economic analysis effectively in written, visual and oral formats to professional or policy audiences.
  • Collaborate on applied analytic projects and research that integrate economic reasoning with quantitative methods.
  • Through elective selection and advanced coursework, tailor your economics training to align with career goals or graduate study.
Career Preparation & Outcomes

Graduates of the B.S. in Economics at Virginia Commonwealth University are prepared for roles such as business or economic analyst, financial data specialist, policy or budget analyst, market researcher, consultant, and research associate. The quantitative and applied focus of the program supports job readiness as well as preparation for graduate study in economics, business analytics, public policy or law.

VCU’s career services, strong connections to local business and policy communities, and rich experiential learning opportunities help students transition from academic work to employment or advanced study.

Virginia Commonwealth University’s (VCU) first-time, full-time graduation rates are 39% in four years, 62% in six years, and 65% in eight years.

Admissions Requirements
  • High school diploma or equivalent with college-preparatory coursework including mathematics (algebra II or higher) and English composition.
  • Submission of official high-school transcripts and any prior college transcripts for transfer students.
  • Minimum GPA of 2.5 to declare the economics major (both for new and transfer students) and successful completion of gateway courses ECON 210 and ECON 211 with a grade of C or better.
  • Sufficient preparation in mathematics/statistics is strongly recommended before entering intermediate economics courses.

James Madison University

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Bachelor of Science (B.S.), or Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A.) in Economics

James Madison University offers multiple pathways for economics majors through its Department of Economics in the College of Business: the B.B.A., B.A., and B.S. degrees in Economics. All require approximately 120 credit hours in total, including general education, major core courses, electives and any business-core requirements.

The B.B.A. option is structured through the business college and includes business‐core coursework alongside economics major courses, preparing students for business/industry roles. The B.A. focuses on communication, writing, and liberal-arts breadth (including foreign-language and philosophy requirements). The B.S. emphasises quantitative and analytical development with extra math/statistics/science components—ideal for students planning graduate study or quantitative career paths.

The economics major emphasises theoretical foundations (microeconomics, macroeconomics), quantitative methods (statistics, econometrics), and applied economics (international trade, environmental economics, socioeconomics). Students can select among six concentrations: Environmental & Natural Resource Economics; Financial Economics; International Economics; Political Economy; Quantitative Economics; Socioeconomics.

Students typically complete the program in about four years of full-time study. Transfer students or those entering with AP/IB/dual-enrollment credit may accelerate their timeline. The economics program is classified as STEM-eligible for Virginia, particularly for the B.S. track, thereby enhancing opportunities for international students and analytics-driven careers.

Through JMU’s College of Business (AACSB-accredited) and strong regional employer links, students gain access to internships, research seminars, speaker series, and applied projects. The residence in Harrisonburg, Virginia gives a supportive campus environment with connections to the Shenandoah Valley and beyond.

Courses and Curriculum

The introductory phase includes gateway courses such as ECON 200 – Introduction to Macroeconomics and ECON 201 – Introduction to Microeconomics, and required quantitative courses (e.g., Statistics or Calculus). These lay the groundwork in economic reasoning, market analysis, data interpretation, and quantitative literacy.

The intermediate phase includes core major courses such as ECON 331 – Intermediate Microeconomics, ECON 332 – Intermediate Macroeconomics, ECON 385 – Econometrics, and ECON 284 – Quantitative Methods for Economics. These courses deepen your modelling, data-analysis and empirical skills, preparing you to engage with real datasets, test hypotheses, and interpret economic behaviour under changing conditions.

In the upper-division phase you choose electives aligned with your concentration and interest. Courses such as ECON 488 – Senior Capstone Seminar in Economics require you to integrate your learning through applied research, portfolio projects or professional presentations. Elective options stretch across topics such as money & banking, labour markets, international trade, environmental policy, and quantitative forecasting.

Popular Elective Courses
  • Labor Economics
  • Financial Economics
  • International and Development Economics
  • Environmental & Natural Resource Economics
  • Socioeconomics
  • Political Economy
Practical Experience

At James Madison University, economics majors are encouraged to engage in internships, independent research, and applied projects. The Department hosts a Speaker Series in which students interact with economists from academia, think tanks, business and government. Many courses require data-analysis, modelling and presentation work, helping students build a portfolio of applied economic work.

The college supports student organisations, honours societies and research collaborations. Working with faculty mentors, students may present at conferences, join economic-research teams, and pursue study-abroad opportunities. These experiences bolster the transition to employment or graduate study by providing tangible analytic credentials, real-world exposure and networking connections.

Learning Outcomes
  • Apply microeconomic and macroeconomic models to analyse behaviour of consumers, firms, governments and markets.
  • Use quantitative and econometric techniques to collect, analyse and interpret economic and business-data for decision-making.
  • Evaluate how regulation, trade, globalization, environmental policy, and socio-economic dynamics shape economic outcomes and organisational strategies.
  • Communicate economic findings clearly through written reports, visualisations and oral presentations to academic, business or policy audiences.
  • Select elective and concentration coursework that aligns with career goals in business analytics, finance, public policy or graduate study.
  • Develop a professional portfolio of applied economic work—research projects, data analysis and presentations—that demonstrates readiness for employment or advanced study.
Career Preparation & Outcomes

Graduates of James Madison University’s economics programs pursue careers in financial services, consulting, economic and market analysis, public policy, data analytics, government agencies, and non-profit organisations. The strong analytical foundation and concentration flexibility support employment as economic analysts, credit analysts, policy researchers, business strategists or consultants, and provide solid preparation for graduate study in economics, business, public policy or law.

The College of Business at JMU is AACSB-accredited, enhancing the value of your economics degree. Students benefit from strong internship placement, employer-networking events, and regional partnerships in the Shenandoah Valley, Washington-D.C., Richmond and beyond.

Admissions Requirements
  • High school diploma or equivalent with college-preparatory coursework including mathematics (algebra II or higher) and English composition.
  • Submission of official high-school transcripts and any prior college transcripts for transfer applicants.
  • Admission to the College of Business (for the B.B.A. option) requires meeting progression standards such as a minimum cumulative GPA in lower-level business/core courses (often 2.7) and formal application to the College of Business.
  • Completion or placement readiness in mathematics/statistics (such as calculus or business analytics course) is strongly recommended before entering intermediate economics coursework.
Application Deadlines

James Madison University accepts applications for Fall and Spring entry. Applicants should check the university’s admissions website for the latest deadlines and recommended submission dates, especially if seeking scholarship and internship opportunities.

Virginia State University

Bachelor of Science in Economics and Finance

Virginia State University offers a Bachelor of Science in Economics and Finance through its Department of Mathematics and Economics. This undergraduate program is structured to integrate both economic theory and financial analysis, preparing students for roles in business, policy, data analysis and government. The degree typically requires a full undergraduate load of approximately 120 credit hours, of which major coursework in economics, finance and quantitative methods form a significant portion.

The curriculum emphasizes core economic theory—covering microeconomics, macroeconomics—and a strong quantitative foundation, including statistics, econometrics, and applied economic methods. Within the finance-component, students learn about financial markets, corporate finance, investment analysis and risk management. The dual orientation ensures graduates possess both discipline-specific depth and versatile applied skills.

The program is designed for full-time students completing in about four years under ideal progression. However, the department recognises non-traditional, transfer, and part-time learners, and offers flexibility in course scheduling. The major also encourages students to engage in undergraduate research, internships, and applied projects focused on real-world economic and financial data.

Students will begin with foundational courses in economic principles and quantitative reasoning, then move into intermediate theory and applied methods. Upper-level electives allow specialisation in areas such as international economics, economic development, financial economics, public policy, and data analytics. These electives let you tailor the major toward your intended career or graduate study pathway.

The program also emphasises preparation for graduate school or professional certification, especially for students aiming for roles in economic research, financial analysis, policy planning or investment management. The blend of economics and finance makes this major attractive for both business-oriented and policy-oriented careers.

Courses and Curriculum

The introductory stage includes core principles courses such as Microeconomic Theory, Macroeconomic Theory, and Quantitative Methods for Economics. These courses build your understanding of how markets operate, how economies fluctuate, and how to use statistical and mathematical tools to analyse data and draw conclusions.

Next, the curriculum advances into intermediate and applied courses where you’ll see courses like Intermediate Microeconomics, Intermediate Macroeconomics, Econometrics and Financial Markets. These courses deepen your analytical modelling skills, help you interpret real economic and financial data, and prepare you for upper-division specialisations. You will often work with datasets, statistical software, policy simulation and portfolio cases.

In the upper-division phase, you select electives and final major requirements that may include International Economics, Economic Development, Money and Banking, Investment Analysis, Public Finance and a Senior Seminar or Capstone in Economics & Finance. These classes emphasise applied projects, presentations, and real-world case studies linking economic theory, financial practice and data analytics.

  • ECON 201 – Principles of Microeconomic Theory — Introduces consumer and firm behaviour, supply and demand analysis, market equilibrium, welfare, pricing and strategic interaction in markets.
  • ECON 202 – Principles of Macroeconomic Theory — Examines the aggregate economy: GDP, inflation, unemployment, business cycles, fiscal and monetary policy, growth and stability.
  • ECON 301 – Quantitative Methods for Economics — Foundations in statistics, data interpretation and modelling, designed to equip you for econometrics and applied research.
  • ECON 310 – Intermediate Microeconomics — Builds on foundational theory with optimisation, cost/production theory, market structures, strategic behaviour, and welfare implications under advanced modeling.
  • ECON 311 – Intermediate Macroeconomics — Explores advanced macro-models, open-economy dynamics, expectations, monetary and fiscal policy design and impact on economic growth and cycles.
  • FIN 320 – Financial Markets & Institutions** (or equivalent finance-economics elective) — Introduction to financial system operations, role of banks, interest rates, risk management, investment vehicles and regulation.
  • ECON 421 – International Economics — Studies trade theory, international finance, exchange rates, global capital flows and policy responses to globalisation and economic integration.
  • ECON 450 – Senior Capstone Seminar in Economics & Finance — Culminating course where students conduct applied research or case-study projects, present findings and link economic-financial analysis for real-world decisions.
Popular Elective Courses
  • Labor Economics
  • Environmental & Resource Economics
  • Public Finance & Tax Policy
  • Health Economics
  • Corporate Finance & Investment Analysis
  • Development Economics & Emerging Markets
Practical Experience

Virginia State University’s program encourages students to participate in applied experiences such as internships with government agencies, financial institutions, business firms or non-profit organisations. Students also have the opportunity to engage in faculty-guided undergraduate research, often involving real datasets, econometric modelling or policy analysis. These experiences ensure that you graduate with analytical, communication and professional skills.

Upper-division courses frequently include project-based work, case studies, presentations and real-world simulation of economic and financial problems—so that you exit with a portfolio of applied work ready to show employers or graduate schools.

Learning Outcomes
  • Apply micro- and macro-economic theories to analyse individual, firm, government and market behaviour in varied contexts.
  • Use quantitative and statistical tools to collect, analyse and interpret economic and financial data for decision-making.
  • Evaluate how market structures, regulation, globalisation, trade, finance and policy influence economic outcomes and organisational strategy.
  • Communicate complex economic and financial analysis clearly in written reports, presentations and visualisations to professional or policy audiences.
  • Select and integrate elective coursework and applied projects to align with career goals in business, finance, consulting, public policy or graduate study.
  • Graduate with a professional portfolio of applied economics and finance work—research, analysis and presentation—that demonstrates readiness for employment or advanced study.
Career Preparation & Outcomes

Graduates of Virginia State University’s B.S. in Economics and Finance are prepared for roles such as economic analyst, financial analyst, market researcher, policy analyst, consultant, and business strategist. The dual focus on economics and finance, combined with applied quantitative training, gives graduates a competitive foundation for both business-sector and public-policy roles, as well as for graduate study in economics, business analytics, public policy or finance.

Virginia State University reports a six-year graduation rate of approximately 44%, offering context for student persistence and completion.

Admissions Requirements
  • High school diploma or equivalent with coursework in mathematics (algebra II or higher recommended) and English composition.
  • Submission of official high-school transcripts; transfer applicants must provide transcripts from all previously attended institutions.
  • Satisfactory performance in mathematics/statistics and readiness for quantitative coursework is strongly recommended prior to declaring the major.
  • Completion of or readiness for college-level algebra, statistics or equivalent is advised, given the quantitative nature of the major.
Application Deadlines

Virginia State University admits new students for the Fall semester and also accepts Spring-entry applications.

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