B.S. Applied Social Science (Economics Concentration)

Want to understand human behavior and how societies use resources? Interested in policy and decision-making?

The B.S. Applied Social Science Economics Concentration will give you concrete analytical skills that are in high demand in business, government, and non-profit sectors.

Economics is the study of decision making. It’s the study of people and systems interacting to use resources in the best ways possible. This can mean combining inputs to maximize profits or working toward policies that encourage long-run sustainability.

Economics often involves topics like prices, business, and finance, but it’s not all about money. Economists are just as likely to study the environment, the health care system, or professional sports. Economics is a broad discipline that helps us understand historical trends, interpret today’s headlines, and make predictions about the future.

If you are interested in understanding how the world around you works, why people make the decisions they make, and how you can harness data to answer questions about the real world then economics might be for you.   

The American Economics Association page for students provides information about the field, jobs, and research.

Minors

The Economics concentration can be combined with a variety of minors that will set you apart in the job market:

• Applied Foreign Language
• Business Administration
• Business Information Technology
• Communication Studies
• Geographic Information Systems
• Project Management
• Supply Chain Management
• Sustainability
• Women & Gender Studies

Impactful Research Applied to Society

Do good through your degree and create change by presenting real-world solutions to existing societal challenges! Unlike traditional theoretical research, your applied research opportunities in economics will focus on translating inquiry into meaningful action and impact.

Recent Economics Research Topics

• "Effects of Growth in the Subscription Video-on-Demand Industry"
• "The Implications of an International Peace Treaty on the Plastics Recycling Industry"
• "The Effect of Preventative Methods on Wildfire Damage"
• "Determinants of MSA-Level Employment and Wages"
• "Can a Violent Shooter Be Predicted?"
• "Do Citizens Living in Border Counties Fall into the Tiebout Sorting Model?"
• "Evaluating the Financial Impact of the Affordable Care Act on Farmers in Wisconsin"
• "Effects of Administrative Code NR151 on Phosphorous Levels in Wisconsin Water Bodies"