Majors and Minors
Each major provides an in-depth, analytical education that emphasizes the interplay of economic models and quantitative analysis. Students are taught by and research alongside faculty who are at the forefront of advancing economics; this is reflected in the nine Nobel Prizes awarded for economic research conducted at the Tepper School.
We bring this same innovative spirit to our teaching of economics. Understanding that you may want to explore specific fields within your major, we have created sets of courses (concentrations) to help guide your choice of elective courses.
Bachelor of Arts in Economics
Our Bachelor of Arts in Economics provides a strong foundation in economic analysis and quantitative methods. In addition to the economics core* and economics elective courses, the curriculum has been designed for students to take "special elective" courses from a rich menu offered by other CMU humanities or social science departments. These courses explore economic and social problems from the perspective of history, politics, philosophy, and psychology.
Students graduating from this degree are well equipped for a wide variety of roles in management and business. Additionally, they are well prepared for further graduate degrees and/or graduate work in economics, decision sciences, government, and public policy.
Bachelor of Science in Economics
The Bachelor of Science in Economics is our deep dive into economics. Compared to the Bachelor of Arts in Economics, students pursuing this major take an additional math course, an additional and more advanced economics data analysis course, and six economics electives courses. This major provides the most extensive and deepest study of economics. The major enables students to analyze complex economics and business problems by combining economic reasoning with advanced data analytic techniques. Many students pursuing this major organize the electives that they take into two economics concentrations.
Students completing this degree will be well-equipped to pursue graduate work (professional and academic) or enter directly into the business world or public service.
Bachelor of Science in Economics and Mathematical Sciences
The Bachelor of Science in Economics and Mathematical Sciences is designed for students who want to explore the application of mathematics to economics at an advanced and deep level. It is offered jointly by Carnegie Mellon's undergraduate economics program and its Department of Mathematical Sciences.
The Bachelor of Science in Economics and Mathematical Sciences offers an integrated curriculum that builds upon the synergies between economics and mathematics. It equips students with the mathematical tools and skills necessary for advanced economic model building, data science, and mathematical finance. Students graduating from this program are well placed for success in Ph.D. programs in economics, applied mathematics, statistics, and key functional areas of business including finance, accounting, marketing, and information systems.
Students pursuing this degree will be well prepared for the beginning of their research careers in academia, government, and industry.
Bachelor of Science in Economics and Mathematical Sciences Curriculum Details
Bachelor of Science in Economics and Politics
The Bachelor of Science in Economics and Politics is our newest major and is offered jointly by the Undergraduate Economics Program and the Institute for Politics and Strategy. It combines CMU's economics and political science cores, unique classes that relate the fields and advanced electives in both economics and political science. The major delivers an analytic and data-informed approach to the intersection of economics and political science. It also provides a practical perspective on policymaking through courses taught by faculty with influential government and policy experience and through the option of the CMU Washington Semester Program. The major is appealing to students interested in the design, evaluation, and political implementation of policy and, especially, to those considering careers in politics and public service.
Students graduating from this degree are well equipped for a wide variety of analyst roles in government and business. Additionally, they are well prepared for further graduate degrees and/or graduate work in economics, data analytics, government, and public policy.
Bachelor of Science in Economics and Politics Curriculum Detail
Bachelor of Science in Economics and Statistics
The Bachelor of Science in Economics and Statistics is designed for students with a strong interest in the application of statistics and empirical methods to economics and business. It is offered jointly by Carnegie Mellon's Undergraduate Economics Program and its Department of Statistics and Data Science.
The major's curriculum provides students with a solid foundation and advanced training in the theories and methods of economics and statistics. Viewing data through the lens of economics, students are trained to isolate and infer causes of economic and business outcomes, make forecasts, and make data-informed decisions.
Students graduating from this degree are well equipped for a wide variety of data science roles in management and business. Additionally, they are well prepared for further graduate degrees and/or graduate work in economics, decision sciences, and public policy.
Bachelor of Science in Economics and Statistics Curriculum Detail
Minor in Economics
Economics, at heart, investigates human behavior and decision-making. As such, the Minor in Economics complements all primary degrees. Whether you are an engineer, scientist, humanist, artist, roboticist, or social scientist, you will need to make decisions in your personal and professional lives. The Minor in Economics will provide you with the economic and data analytical toolkit that is the foundation of business/organizational decision-making.