Business and Economics Requirements

  • The Department of Business and Economics offers a variety of programs to prepare students for careers in the public and private sectors and studies in graduate or professional school. Programs include majors in Economics, Finance, and Business Economics as well as minors in Accounting, Economics, Finance, and Management Studies. The Economics major develops a broad perspective on the allocation of resources as well as skills in application of economic theory to real-world problems. The major in Finance prepares students to contribute to society at financial institutions and within the finance and accounting functions of both for-profit and nonprofit organizations. The major in Business Economics prepare students to analyze factors impacting businesses both quantitatively and qualitatively. These skills provide a solid background for a variety of professions as well as prepare students for advanced education. After graduation, students in all three majors are prepared to work independently and effectively in a dynamic global environment where resources are scarce, information is over-abundant or uncertain, and decisions are often morally complex. Students gain experience and skills in teamwork and are challenged to recognize the moral elements of situations, the impacts of their decisions and actions on others, and to choose courses of action that are ethically defensible. Minors offered by the Department of Business and Economics complement the studies of students majoring in any discipline.

    Requirements for Economics Majors

    A major in economics consists of 44-48 credits, comprised of the following:

    • Three foundational courses: ECON-101,102, and 151. The ECON-151 requirement will be waived for students who receive a C- or better in both MATH-111 (or a higher- level calculus course) and STAT-141Q (or a higher-level statistics course).
    • Three intermediate courses: ECON-200W, 201, and 202.
    • ECON-300Q.
    • Four electives from the following list: ECON-210, 213, 223, 231, 263, 311, 312, 313, 314, 330, 361, 362, FIN-374.
    • The economics capstone seminar: (ECON-403W). Qualified students may substitute ECON-491 and -492W for the capstone requirement.

    Due to normal limitations on the overlap of courses among majors, students may not major in both Economics and Finance.

    Economics Capstone

    All students who major in Economics can fulfill the college’s capstone, writing, and oral presentation requirements with ECON-403W. Qualified students may substitute BE-491 and 492W for the capstone requirement.

    Graduate Study in Economics

    Students considering entering a doctoral program in economics after graduation are advised to take MATH-111, 112, 211, 234, and 311W as well as CS-173. Coursework in probability, statistics, and data analytics is also valuable preparation for doctoral work in the field. The BE department recommends students discuss their interest in graduate school with their academic advisers.

    Requirements for Finance Major

    A major in finance consists of 44-48 credits comprised of the following courses:

    • Five foundational courses: ECON-101, 102, 151; ACCT-140, and FIN-270. The ECON-151 requirement will be waived for students who receive a C- or better in both MATH-111 (or a higher- level calculus course) and STAT-141Q (or a higher-level statistics course).
    • One intermediate economics course – either ECON-201 or 202.
    • FIN-200W
    • ECON-300Q
    • Either three finance electives from the following list: FIN-213, 262, 313, 370, 372, 374; ECON-362; or two of the preceding finance electives and one accounting elective from the following list: ACCT-240, ACCT-241 or ACCT-242.
    • The finance capstone (FIN-403W). Qualified students may substitute BE-491 and 492W for the capstone (FIN-403W) requirement.

    Finance Capstone

    All students who major in Finance can fulfill the college’s capstone, writing, and oral presentation requirements with FIN-403W. Qualified students may substitute BE-491 and 492W for the capstone requirement.

    Graduate Study in Finance

    Students considering entering a doctoral program in finance after graduation are advised to take MATH-111, 112, 211, 234, and 311W as well as CS-173. Coursework in probability, statistics, and data analytics is also valuable preparation for doctoral work in the field. The BE department recommends students discuss their interest in graduate school with their academic advisers.

    Requirements for Business Economics Major

    A major in Business Economics consists of 44–52 credits comprised of the following courses:

    • Five foundational courses: ECON-101, 102, 151, 200W, and 201. The ECON-151 requirement will be waived for students who receive a C– or better in both MATH-111 (or a higher- level calculus course) and STAT-141Q (or a higher-level statistics course).
    • ACCT-140
    • MGT-200
    • MGT-201

    Concentration Elective Requirements

    All Business Economics majors must concentrate in Analytics, Entrepreneurship, Management, or Marketing. The following courses do not count as elective credit for the major in Business Economics: ECON-120; BE-381, 382, 391, 392, 394, 491, AND492W; FIN-001-004, 010, 011, 100, 272, 301, 302, 401, 402, 403W, 491 and 492W.

    Analytics Concentration

    • ECON-300 or DATA-201,
    • ECON-403W,
    • eight credits from ACCT-241; ECON-231, 312; ENTR-101, 102; FIN-374; MCS-350; MKT-250; MGT-300; PSYC-250

    Entrepreneurship Concentration

    • ENTR-101 and 102,
    • either MGT-403W or ECON-403W,
    • eight credits from ACCT-241; ECON-231, 310, 312; FIN-370; MCS-350; MKT-250; MGT-300; PSYC-250

    Management Concentration

    • Two courses from: ACCT-241, PSYC-250, and MCS-350.
    • MGT-403W,
    • eight credits from ECON 210, 231, 312; ENTR-101,102; FIN-370; MGT-300; MKT-250

    Marketing Concentration

    • MKT-250, ECON-231, and MGT-403W
    • eight credits of electives from ACCT-241, ECON-231, 310; ENTR-101, 102; FIN-370; MCS-350; MGT-300; PSYC-250

    Business Economics Capstone

    All students who major in Business Economics can fulfill the college’s capstone, writing, and oral presentation requirements with either ECON-403W or MGT-403W (depending on concentration). Qualified students may substitute BE-491 and 492W for the capstone requirement.

    Requirements for Accounting Minor

    A minor in accounting consists of 20 credits: ACCT-140; 240, 241, 242; and FIN-270.

    Accounting Careers

    Students interested in careers in accounting are encouraged to complete the Accounting minor. Many Ursinus graduates work in the field of accounting after graduation, but state boards of accountancy mandate 150 credit hours of coursework before candidates may sit for the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) exam. Students must therefore take additional courses after graduation to become a CPA. Students should also be aware that there are other accounting certifications and career paths separate from the CPA, such as the Certified Management Accountant designation.

    Requirements for Economics Minor

    A minor in economics consists of 20 credits, including eight credits from two required courses: ECON-101, 102; and three ECON electives at the 200-level or higher, excluding ECON-200W. Note: 200-level courses may have additional pre-requisites besides ECON-101 and 102. As pertaining to the normal limitations on major/minor overlap, Finance majors may only count two courses of their major requirements toward the minor.

    Requirements for Finance Minor

    A minor in Finance consists of 20 credits including 12 credits from three required courses: ACCT-140; ECON-102, FIN-270, and eight credits from two electives chosen from the following list: ECON-362; FIN-370, 372, 374. Elective courses may have additional prerequisites besides ACCT-140 and FIN-270.

    Finance Scholars

    This program is offered to selected students with a strong career interest in finance and investments with the potential goal of earning the Chartered Financial Analyst (“CFA”) designation. The program involves a range of relevant co-curricular activities (FIN-301, 302, 401, and 402) that prepare students to take the CFA examination. Eligible students must major in Finance or Economics or minor in Finance. Students must apply to the Department Chair or the chair’s designee for acceptance to the program at the end of their sophomore year.

    UCIMCO

    The Ursinus College Investment Management Company (UCIMCO) is the college’s student-managed investment fund. The fund manages several portfolios, exposing students to different management styles and group experiences. There are no prerequisites to taking part in the fund. Students from any class year or major are encouraged to take part. For students interested in careers in investments, the fund provides invaluable experience in research and portfolio management. To take part for the first time, students should enroll in a section of FIN-001. To take part in subsequent semesters, students should enroll in FIN-002, -003, and -004.

    Requirements for Management Studies Minor

    A minor in Management Studies requires that students take 24 semester hours in courses across several disciplines. All Management Studies minors are required to take ACCT-140 and MGT-200. In addition students are required to select one course focused on ethics from PHIL-240, 246, 247 or PHIL/ENV-248 and three elective courses chosen from the following list and representing three different departments or programs: Business and Economics (ACCT-240 or 241; or ECON-210 or MKT-250; or MGT-300); Data Analytics (DATA-201); English (ENG-212); Entrepreneurial Studies (ENTR-101 and -102); Environment and Sustainability (ENVS-338, 350 with BE department chair approval); Health Studies (HS-226, 245, or 446); History (HIST-212); Interdivisional Studies (IDS-110 depending on topic); Media and Communications Studies (MCS-307, 315, 331 or 350); Psychology (PSYC-250 or 350); Politics (POL-399 Business Law only); Sociology (SOC-255 or 260 depending on topic).

    Note: Majors in Economics and Finance are permitted to minor in Management Studies or Entrepreneurship. Majors in Business Economics are not permitted to minor in Management Studies or Entrepreneurship. See the appropriate departmental listings for course descriptions.

    Secondary School Teaching Certification

    This program satisfies the Pennsylvania State requirements for secondary certification in social studies. Substantial further coursework outside of economics and education is required in order to prepare the student for subjects taught in the secondary curriculum. Students who wish to obtain teaching certification should consult their departmental adviser and the chair of the department of education as early as possible, preferably at the end of the freshman year.

    S/U Guidance

    Courses taken S/S-/U must earn an S to count toward the major or minor requirements.