The BBA in economics emphasizes the economic foundations of business fields—accounting, finance, marketing, business law, and management. Students who major in economics have the option to select the analytical subprogram.
In addition to the common BBA requirements, students complete three sets of requirements for the major: mathematics and statistics courses that provide the skills needed for understanding economic theory and data; economic theory courses that provide the tools needed for analyzing economic issues; and field courses that apply economic tools to business, social, or specialized analytical issues. The course requirements vary, depending on whether a student selects the analytical subprogram.
The Bachelor of Business Administration degree is awarded by the Tippie College of Business.
The Bachelor of Business Administration with a major in economics requires a minimum of 120 s.h. of coursework, including at least 22 s.h. of coursework for the major. To graduate, students must have a cumulative grade-point average of at least 2.00 in all college coursework attempted, all coursework attempted at the University of Iowa, all college business coursework attempted, all business coursework attempted at the University of Iowa, all college economics coursework attempted, and all economics coursework attempted at the University of Iowa. Coursework in the major may not be taken pass/nonpass. They also must complete all Tippie College of Business requirements for the Bachelor of Business Administration.
The BBA program emphasizes the economic foundations of business fields—accounting, finance, marketing, business law, and management. The BBA with a major in economics is designed for students who seek employment in the public or private sectors or who plan to earn an MBA degree after gaining necessary experience. The analytical subprogram is designed for students interested in a more mathematically rigorous program. They will be well prepared for technical jobs in the public or private sectors as well as graduate study in economics and related fields.
The major requires a course in professional preparation, mathematics and statistics courses, economic theory courses, and applied field courses. Students in the analytical subprogram take required mathematics and statistics courses, but are not required to take MATH:1350 Quantitative Reasoning for Business or STAT:1030 Statistics for Business. Students should pay close attention to the order in which they take courses because some courses are prerequisites for others.
Students may be able to count a limited amount of transfer credit toward the economics major, but they are required to complete the following courses at the University of Iowa: ECON:3100 Intermediate Microeconomics or ECON:3125 Intermediate Microeconomics: Advanced, ECON:3150 Intermediate Macroeconomics, and two of the applied field courses.
No Subprogram
The BBA with a major in economics (no subprogram) requires the following coursework.
| Requirements | Hours |
|---|---|
| Professional Preparation Course | 1 |
| Mathematics and Statistics Course | 3 |
| Economic Theory Courses | 6 |
| Applied Field Courses | 12 |
Professional Preparation Course
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| This course: | ||
| ECON:3050 | Professional Preparation in Economics | 1 |
Mathematics and Statistics Course
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| This course: | ||
| ECON:3300 | Introduction to Econometrics | 3 |
Economic Theory Courses
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Both of these (must be taken at the University of Iowa): | ||
| ECON:3100 | Intermediate Microeconomics | 3 |
| ECON:3150 | Intermediate Macroeconomics | 3 |
Applied Field Courses
Students complete four applied field courses (12 s.h.) numbered ECON:3325–ECON:4700, excluding ECON:3870 Federal Reserve Challenge and ECON:4050 Readings and Independent Study in Economics. Two of the applied field courses must be taken at the University of Iowa. Students are not guaranteed specific applied field courses. The availability of courses may be subject to prerequisites or restrictions.
Analytical Subprogram
The analytical subprogram requires the following coursework.
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Professional Preparation Course | 1 | |
| Mathematics and Statistics Courses | 15-17 | |
| Economic Theory Courses | 6 | |
| Applied Field Courses | 12 | |
Analytical Subprogram: Professional Preparation Course
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| This course: | ||
| ECON:3050 | Professional Preparation in Economics | 1 |
Analytical Subprogram: Mathematics and Statistics Courses
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| All of these: | ||
| MATH:1850 | Calculus I | 4 |
| MATH:1860 | Calculus II | 4 |
| ECON:4800 | Econometric Analysis | 3 |
| One of these: | ||
| STAT:3100-STAT:3101 | Introduction to Mathematical Statistics I-II (must take both courses) | 6 |
| STAT:3120 | Probability and Statistics | 4 |
Analytical Subprogram: Economic Theory Courses
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Both of these (must be taken at the University of Iowa): | ||
| ECON:3125 | Intermediate Microeconomics: Advanced | 3 |
| ECON:3150 | Intermediate Macroeconomics | 3 |
Analytical Subprogram: Applied Field Courses
Students complete four applied field courses (12 s.h.) numbered ECON:3325–ECON:4700, excluding ECON:3870 Federal Reserve Challenge and ECON:4050 Readings and Independent Study in Economics. At least two of the four courses must be numbered 4000–4700. Two of the applied field courses must be taken at the University of Iowa. Students are not guaranteed specific applied field courses. The availability of courses may be subject to prerequisites or restrictions.
Honors in the Major
Graduation with honors in economics recognizes high scholastic achievement based on grades and on completion of academic work beyond the requirements of the economics major. Students must have a cumulative grade-point average of at least 3.50 in all college coursework attempted, all coursework attempted at the University of Iowa, all college business coursework attempted, and all business coursework attempted at the University of Iowa. They also must successfully complete an honors thesis under the supervision of a faculty member.
Students begin by completing BUS:1999 Introduction to Research in Business at least three semesters prior to graduation. This course introduces students to research in the college and provides an opportunity to develop thesis questions and meet Tippie College of Business faculty members engaged in research. They also must complete ECON:3100 Intermediate Microeconomics (no subprogram) or ECON:3125 Intermediate Microeconomics: Advanced (analytical subprogram), ECON:3150 Intermediate Macroeconomics, and ECON:3300 Introduction to Econometrics (no subprogram) or ECON:4800 Econometric Analysis (analytical subprogram) before commencing thesis work.
After identifying a faculty member to advise them on their thesis and completing the coursework listed, students register for ECON:4999 Honors Thesis in Economics for two semesters while they complete their research and write their thesis. In the second semester of their thesis, students present their research in a poster format at the Undergraduate Research Festival.
Students interested in graduating with honors in economics should see Tippie Honors on the Tippie College of Business website.
University of Iowa Honors Program
Completing the honors in economics requirements also satisfies the experiential learning requirement for the University of Iowa Honors Program. To learn more about graduating with honors through the UI Honors Program, visit the Honors at Iowa website.
Membership in the UI Honors Program is not required to earn honors in the economics major.
The Bachelor of Business Administration degree provides an excellent educational background for a variety of positions in business and government. Graduates find employment in banking, financial institutions, industrial firms, and trade organizations and in federal, state, and local government agencies dealing with economic policy, regulation, and analysis. An undergraduate degree in economics also prepares students for the study of law and for graduate study in fields such as economics, business management, public administration, hospital and health administration, urban and regional planning, transportation, journalism, political science, and statistics.
Over 90% of students reported that they found permanent employment, were accepted to graduate school, or were not seeking employment within six months of graduation.
The Pomerantz Career Center offers multiple resources to help students find internships and jobs; for more information about careers, visit the Pomerantz Career Center website.
Economics students also have access to a wide range of career resources and expertise through specifically dedicated Tippie Career Services staff.
Four-Year Graduation Plan
The following checkpoints list the minimum requirements students must complete by certain semesters in order to stay on the university's Four-Year Graduation Plan.
The following checkpoints are designed for students who enter the university as direct admission or pre-business students. In order to stay on the plan, pre-business students must maintain the grade-point averages required for admission to the Tippie College of Business and must apply for admission to the college the semester the four prerequisite courses will be completed, but no later than before the fifth semester begins. The Four-Year Graduation Plan is not available to students who choose to pursue a double major in the college or to those enrolled in a combined degree program.
Students must take BUS:3000 Business Communication and Protocol during their first year after admission to the Tippie College of Business, except direct admission students, who take the course during their second year.
Students Without Subprogram
Before the third semester begins: ECON:1100 Principles of Microeconomics, ECON:1200 Principles of Macroeconomics, MATH:1350 Quantitative Reasoning for Business, STAT:1030 Statistics for Business, and at least one-quarter of the semester hours required for graduation.
Before the fifth semester begins: ECON:3300 Introduction to Econometrics, ECON:3100 Intermediate Microeconomics, all General Education requirements, and at least half of the semester hours required for graduation.
Before the seventh semester begins: ECON:3150 Intermediate Macroeconomics, at least one applied field course, all business core requirements, and at least three-quarters of the semester hours required for graduation.
Before the eighth semester begins: at least two applied field courses.
During the eighth semester: all remaining coursework in the major and a sufficient number of semester hours to graduate.
Students With Analytical Subprogram
Before the third semester begins: ECON:1100 Principles of Microeconomics, ECON:1200 Principles of Macroeconomics, MATH:1850 Calculus I, MATH:1860 Calculus II, and at least one-quarter of the semester hours required for graduation.
Before the fifth semester begins: either STAT:3120 Probability and Statistics or both STAT:3100 and STAT:3101 Introduction to Mathematical Statistics II, all General Education requirements, and at least half of the semester hours required for graduation.
Before the seventh semester begins: ECON:3125 Intermediate Microeconomics: Advanced, ECON:3150 Intermediate Macroeconomics, at least one applied field course, all business core requirements, and at least three-quarters of the semester hours required for graduation.
Before the eighth semester begins: at least two applied field courses.
During the eighth semester: ECON:4800 Econometric Analysis, all remaining coursework in the major, and a sufficient number of semester hours to graduate.
Iowa Degree in Three
Iowa Degree in Three is designed for students who are academically prepared to complete more semester hours per term than average or who come to the University of Iowa with completed college credits. It is a flexible, affordable option developed to meet the needs of highly motivated students.
Students sign an agreement during their first semester of enrollment; meet with an advisor at least once a semester to review their plans and progress; take courses during summer sessions, if necessary; meet specific course checkpoints; and maintain the grade-point average required for the major.
The Tippie College of Business makes several assumptions about candidates for the Iowa Degree in Three:
- students are prepared to enroll in MATH:1350 Quantitative Reasoning for Business during their first enrollment at the University of Iowa;
- students have fulfilled the General Education World Language requirement before matriculation;
- students are direct admits to the Tippie College of Business;
- students have earned at least 15 s.h. of college credit before matriculation; and
- students are not held for more than two English as a Second Language classes.
Sample Plan of Study
Sample plans represent one way to complete a program of study. Actual course selection and sequence will vary and should be discussed with an academic advisor. For additional sample plans, see MyUI.
Economics, BBA
| Academic Career | ||
|---|---|---|
| Any Semester | Hours | |
| Students are required to complete 52 s.h. of non-business coursework. Courses with a prefix of ACCT, BAIS, BUS, ECON, ENTR, FIN, MGMT, and MKTG will not count towards non-business hours. Check degree audit for non-business hours or confer with academic advisor. | ||
| Students who need to complete the World Language requirement should consult with their academic advisor about when to add courses to plan of study. World Language counts as non-business coursework. | ||
| To fulfill the Tippie RISE experiential learning requirement, complete an approved course in at least one of the following categories: research with faculty, internship course, study abroad, experiential course. a | 0 - 3 | |
| Students must satisfy the Tippie College of Business residence requirement: 45 s.h. of UI coursework after admission to Tippie. | ||
| Hours | 0-3 | |
| First Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| ECON:1100 | Principles of Microeconomics | 4 |
| MATH:1350 | Quantitative Reasoning for Business b | 4 |
| RHET:1030 | Rhetoric | 4 |
| GE: Historical Perspectives c | 3 | |
| CSI:1600 | Success at Iowa | 2 |
| Hours | 17 | |
| Spring | ||
| ACCT:2100 | Introduction to Financial Accounting | 3 |
| ECON:1200 | Principles of Macroeconomics | 4 |
| STAT:1030 | Statistics for Business | 4 |
| BAIS:1500 | Business Computing Essentials | 2 |
| ENGL:1200 | The Interpretation of Literature | 3 |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| BAIS:2800 | Foundations of Business Analytics | 3 |
| BUS:2200 | Foundations for Success in Business d | 1 |
| ECON:3100 | Intermediate Microeconomics e | 3 |
| MGMT:2100 | Introduction to Management | 3 |
| GE: Understanding Cultural Perspectives c | 3 | |
| Minor, certificate, or non-business elective | 2 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| BUS:3000 | Business Communication and Protocol f | 3 |
| ECON:3050 | Professional Preparation in Economics | 1 |
| ECON:3150 | Intermediate Macroeconomics e | 3 |
| ECON:3300 | Introduction to Econometrics | 3 |
| GE: Natural Sciences without Lab c | 3 | |
| Minor, certificate, or non-business elective | 2 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| ACCT:2200 | Managerial Accounting Analytics and Data Visualization | 3 |
| MGMT:2000 | Introduction to Law | 3 |
| Major: applied field course a, g | 3 | |
| GE: International and Global Issues c | 3 | |
| Minor, certificate, or non-business elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| BAIS:3000 | Operations Management | 2 |
| BAIS:3005 | Information Systems | 2 |
| Major: applied field course a, g | 3 | |
| GE: Values and Society c | 3 | |
| GE: Social Sciences c | 3 | |
| Minor, certificate, or non-business elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| MKTG:3000 | Introduction to Marketing Strategy | 3 |
| Major: applied field course a, g | 3 | |
| Minor, certificate, or non-business elective | 3 | |
| Minor, certificate, or non-business elective | 3 | |
| Minor, certificate, or non-business elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| FIN:3000 | Introductory Financial Management | 3 |
| Major: applied field course a, g | 3 | |
| Minor, certificate, or non-business elective | 3 | |
| Minor, certificate, or non-business elective | 3 | |
| Minor, certificate, or non-business elective | 3 | |
| Degree Application: apply on MyUI before deadline (typically in February for spring, September for fall) h | ||
| Hours | 15 | |
| Total Hours | 124-127 | |
- a
- See degree audit for course options.
- b
- Enrollment in math courses requires completion of a placement exam.
- c
- GE courses may be completed in any order unless used as a prerequisite for another course. Students should consult with an advisor about the best sequencing of courses.
- d
- Complete BUS:2200 by the end of the second year, before enrolling in the Professional Preparation course for the major.
- e
- Must be completed at the University of Iowa.
- f
- Must be admitted to Tippie to enroll in BUS:3000. Generally completed during the second year, but should be taken no later than the third year.
- g
- At least two of the applied field courses must be taken at the University of Iowa.
- h
- Please see Academic Calendar, Office of the Registrar website for current degree application deadlines. Students should apply for a degree for the session in which all requirements will be met. For any questions on appropriate timing, contact your academic advisor or Degree Services.