HSU has a strong and rigorous economics program. We are a close-knit community with small classes, a hands-on approach, and strong student-faculty relationships. Professors know you by name and work to support and encourage you as you grow and learn.
We offer many opportunities for hands-on learning and internships that are grounded in real-world skill building and help prepare you for the job market. There are openings for paid internships as research, community development, and teaching assistants, including the Humboldt Economic Index internship (a local index of economic activity), the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) summer internship, the Ruprecht Research Assistantship, and several instructional teaching assistantships. Students also work with local economic development non-profit organizations in our service-learning course. In the liberal arts tradition, HSU economics graduates develop strong analysis, problem-solving, and written and oral communication skills. This skill-set makes our students very marketable when they graduate and economics graduates make the top 10 list of highest starting salaries among all majors. We have a strong record of helping students realize their career aspirations and our graduates have gone on to a wide range of careers in banking, finance, government, advocacy, environmental consulting, and business. In addition, many of our graduates pursue graduate and professional degrees in economics, public policy, law, and business.
Consider today’s important issues - climate change, sustainable growth and development, international trade and globalization, inequality and world poverty. In each case, economics is essential to understanding the choices that society faces and it is crucial in creating the best possible policy. Economics students learn to make sense of large and complex economic issues and critically evaluate real-world events.
Given the complexity of these problems, we understand the relevance and importance of an interdisciplinary curriculum. Our economics majors choose from either a traditional economics emphasis or an interdisciplinary emphasis. The interdisciplinary emphasis requires a minor (or equivalent) in a related discipline such as applied mathematics, political science, environmental science, business, international studies, or history. Students switching majors to economics often choose our interdisciplinary emphasis and make use of coursework earned from a prior major in order to graduate more quickly. Overall, economics majors are in the top 10 percent in terms of shortest time to graduation at Humboldt State University.
More information is available on the Department of Economics webpage
Preparation
High school students should take college preparatory courses, including English, writing, social science, and economics (if available). Math (including calculus) is recommended.
A bachelor’s degree requires a total of 120 units. For a description of degree requirements to be fulfilled in addition to those listed below for the major, please see “Bachelor’s Degree Requirements ”
Requirements for the Major (52-60 units)
A minimum grade of C- must be earned in all courses required for the major.
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