About This Program
Would you like to learn how people and organizations make choices? Do you aspire to shape policies that promote efficient resource use? Do you take an analytical approach to challenges? If so, the Economics major may be a great fit for you.
Combining a strong foundation in economics with a comprehensive core in business studies, the Economics B.B.A. (Bachelor of Business Administration) major teaches you to assess how incentives, trade, institutions, and competition shape economic outcomes. You explore when markets function efficiently—and when they don’t, such as in the presence of externalities, public goods, or imperfect information.
You’ll build the analytical skills to evaluate economic performance, diagnose market inefficiencies, and analyze policy responses—skills valued in both the public and private sectors.
Program Highlights
- Applied Faculty Expertise: Learn from faculty who focus on real-world applications of economics and are actively engaged in applied economic research
- Real-World Applications: Analyze real data and apply theory to current policy, business, and societal issues
- Specialized Electives: Explore topics like environmental economics, health economics, sports economics, and development economics
Research & Experiential Learning
- Research Opportunities: Collaborate with faculty or pursue your own project through UROP or independent study
- Hands-On Learning: Apply theory to practice using real-world datasets, policy case studies, and business simulations
- Industry Connections: Interact with employers and professionals during LSBE Company Days
- Professional Readiness: Develop soft skills and professional competencies through the Student Professional Engagement Program (PEP), which exposes you to co-curricular content and soft skills development
- Student Organizations: Join the Economics Club to attend presentations, participate in discussions on current topics, and travel to major conferences. High-achieving students may also join Omicron Delta Epsilon, the international economics honor society
Student Internships
LSBE offers an in-house internship program led by a dedicated director who oversees more than 200 internships annually. The director works with both you and employers to ensure valuable, real-world experiences.
Students regularly secure internships at top companies, including: 3M, Cintas, Google, Hormel, Fastenal, Land O’Lakes, Minnesota Vikings, Target, UnitedHealth Group, Sherwin-Williams, Taylor Corporation, and SPS Commerce—as well as school-year and remote internships in the Duluth area.
Potential Careers
- Research analyst
- International trade & policy
- Regulatory agencies
- Banking & investments
- Consulting
- Insurance
- Data analyst
- Policy analyst
- Investment analyst
Scholarships
The Economics Department offers five unique scholarships for declared economics majors. In addition, all economics students are eligible to apply for LSBE-wide scholarships, which include over 150 awards.
Get Involved
- Economics Club
- UMD Sales Club
- AMA (American Marketing Association)
- Accounting Club
- Finance Club
- Investment Club
- Bulldogs in Technology (BIT) (Formerly MIS/BA Club)
- MGD (Marketing and Graphic Design) Club
- SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management)
- Student Health Care Management Association (SHMA)
- Duluth Women in Business
- Entrepreneurship Club
- UMD Analytics Club
- Management Club
- Bulldog DECA
Requirements
Refer to the link below for more detailed information about the program, admission requirements, sample plans, and contact information.