Economics
Salve Regina University's bachelor's degrees in economics provide the analytical and problem-solving skills necessary to investigate and critically evaluate economic conditions and trends. Through coursework and experiential learning, our graduates are well prepared for a wide variety of career opportunities in today’s highly competitive global business environment, as well as graduate study.
Prepare to Address Economic Issues
Salve Regina offers both a B.S. and B.A. in economics. The B.S. familiarizes students with the quantitative tools used to analyze economic policy and includes business courses that focus on the application of theory. The B.A. provides a strong background in economics while allowing students to double major in another discipline such as history, political science or psychology.
Both programs integrate a liberal arts tradition with the University’s mercy and justice mission to emphasize ethical decision-making and responsible leadership. As a result, our graduates emerge as engaged, principled world citizens who are prepared to address economic issues that concern individuals, firms and nations, both in the domestic setting and internationally.
Through Salve Regina's popular combined program, qualified undergraduates can earn their bachelor’s degree in economics and a master’s degree in business administration or healthcare administration within five years.
Program Spotlight: Economic Impact Study
Newport Hospital’s services create direct and indirect economic impacts totaling more than $54 million in the region annually, according to a recent study completed by students enrolled in the course ECN307: Introduction to Econometrics. The study was commissioned by Newport Hospital president and Salve Regina alumna Christa Durand to commemorate the hospital’s 150-year anniversary.
In previous years, students in the Econometrics course have been commissioned to complete economic impact studies for Newport’s famed Cliff Walk, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Massachusetts, the Naval Undersea Warfare Center and Salve Regina. They also studied the cost of the COVID-19 pandemic to Rhode Island’s hospitality and tourism industries.
Our Faculty
In courses such as Money, Banking and Financial Markets, our faculty place emphasis on the linkages and feedbacks between the financial system and the real economy. They note how factors such as congressional and Federal Reserve policies, geopolitical events, natural disasters and the like, in addition to changes in economic fundamentals, can influence the financial markets.
Life After Salve
Our students are well prepared for a wide variety of career opportunities in business and government. Corporations value the training received by economics majors, while the range of jobs in government is as expansive as government itself.
- Financial analysts guide individuals and businesses in making investment decisions based on their assessment of various financial products like stocks and bonds.
- Personal financial advisors give advice to individuals and couples who are making financial plans, such as preparing for retirement or arranging for insurance policies.
- Financial managers are responsible for the overall financial well-being of an organization, which often involves analyzing data and presenting reports.
- Loan officers evaluate the financial situation of people who apply for loans, often using specialized software.
- Revenue agents ensure that the government receives its legal tax payments by analyzing financial records and arranging for payment as necessary.
- Budget analysts help institutions manage their finances and monitor their spending, and may also provide advice and estimates about future economic needs.
- Research economists develop new general models and theories of economics based on the work of others and their own research and analysis.
- Economics professors instruct students on the principles, theories and methods of economics. An advanced degree is usually required.
My Salve education prepared me for life after college in a number of ways. As a business manager, my economics and MBA degrees have provided me with the tools necessary to operate efficiently under high pressure, communicate in a clear and concise manner, and have the confidence to trust my abilities – all because of the educational foundation Salve built beneath me.
Garvin Jones ’16, ’17 (MBA), associate underwriter, renewable energy, AEGIS Insurance Services
Major in Economics (B.S.)
18 courses | 56-57 credits
Required courses:
- ACC101: Financial Accounting
- ACC104: Managerial Accounting
- ECN101: Introductory Macroeconomics
- ECN102: Introductory Microeconomics
- ECN201: Intermediate Macroeconomics
- ECN202: Intermediate Microeconomics
- ECN305: Money and Banking
- ECN307: Introduction to Econometrics
- ECN490: Public Finance and Public Policy Analysis
- MGT120: Management and Organizational Behavior
- MGT212: Business Communication
- MGT300: Ethics for Business
- MTH191: Applied Calculus or MTH195: Calculus I
- STA173: Statistical Methods
Students also choose four upper-level elective courses in economics.
Major in Economics (B.A.)
11 courses | 33 credits
Required courses:
- ECN101: Introductory Macroeconomics
- ECN102: Introductory Microeconomics
- ECN201: Intermediate Macroeconomics
- ECN202: Intermediate Microeconomics
- ECN305: Money and Banking
- ECN317: Economic Ideas in Historical Perspective
- ECN420: Political Economy of Industrial Societies
- ECN490: Public Finance and Public Policy Analysis
Students also choose three upper-level elective courses in economics.
Minor in Economics
The economics minor is open to students from all majors. Minors are able to apply the skills and theory learned in the required courses to their primary area of interest.
5 courses | 15 credits
Required courses:
- ECN101: Introductory Macroeconomics
- ECN102: Introductory Microeconomics
- ECN201: Intermediate Macroeconomics or ECN202: Intermediate Microeconomics
Students also choose two upper-level elective courses in economics.