Economics, B.A. and B.S. (Madrid)
Economics underpins all social sciences. If you choose to study economics at SLU-Madrid, you'll master the economic approach to decision-making and learn how to apply them to various situations and settings.
Major in Economics
The core principles of economics apply to everyday events and global relations.
The Bachelor of Science in Economics at both of Saint Louis University's campuses includes a curriculum of business subjects such as accounting, finance, marketing, management and international business. It's designed for business students looking for a major oriented more toward liberal arts.
The Bachelor of Arts in Economics provides rigor and analytical training in economics while allowing students to combine it with a more traditional and broad-based liberal arts background.
The curriculum of both majors is completely integrated into that of the St. Louis campus in Missouri. In fact, economics students are encouraged to take advantage of the seamless relationship between the degree programs at each campus by completing a semester abroad.
For information about the assessment of student learning in this program, please see the University-wide website.
SLU-Madrid's B.A. degree in economics requires students to complete 120 hours of coursework consisting of:
- 33 credit hours of economics courses;
- 54 to 63 credit hours of core curriculum requirements;
- 15 to 30 hours of minor or second major courses;
- Zero to 15 credit hours of general electives;
- Online classes from non-SLU institutions are not valid for transfer credit to satisfy the business core curriculum courses or economics major courses. In-person courses at AACSB-accredited external institutions may be petitioned for approval to satisfy these graduation requirements.
You'll be required to take 18 credit hours of coursework, which include:
- ECON 1900 Principles of Economics
- ECON 3010 Introduction to Econometrics
- ECON 3120 Intermediate Macroeconomics
- ECON 3140 Intermediate Microeconomics
- OPM 2070 Introduction to Business Statistics
- MATH 1320 Survey of Calculus or MATH 1510 Calculus I
You'll then select 15 credit hours of coursework from the following:
- ECON 4160 History of Economic Analysis
- ECON 4200 Money and Banking
- ECON 4300 International Trade
- ECON 4310 Exchange Rates and the Global Economy
- ECON 4450 Economics of International Migration
- ECON 4560 Economic Development
- ECON 4600 Public Finance
SLU-Madrid's B.S. degree in economics requires students to complete 120 hours of coursework consisting of:
- 32 to 35 credit hours of liberal arts requirements (more information);
- 46 credit hours of business core curriculum courses;
- 18 credit hours of economics courses;
- 18 to 21 hours of electives;
- Online classes from non-SLU institutions are not valid for transfer credit to satisfy the business core curriculum courses or economics major courses. In-person courses at AACSB-accredited external institutions may be petitioned for approval to satisfy these graduation requirements.
You'll be required to take ECON 3010 Introduction to Econometrics and five of the following courses:
- ECON 4160 History of Economic Analysis
- ECON 4200 Money and Banking
- ECON 4300 International Trade
- ECON 4310 Exchange Rates and the Global Economy
- ECON 4450 Economics of International Migration
- ECON 4560 Economic Development
- ECON 4600 Public Finance
SLU-Madrid offers students an opportunity to earn a minor in economics. The minor requires 21 credit hours of coursework, 12 of which are required core courses and nine which are elective courses.
The required courses for the minor are:
- ECON 1900 Principles of Economics
- ECON 3010 Introduction to Econometrics
- ECON 3120 Intermediate Macroeconomics
- ECON 3140 Intermediate Microeconomics
You'll then select 9 credit hours of coursework from the following:
- ECON 4160 History of Economic Analysis
- ECON 4200 Money and Banking
- ECON 4300 International Trade
- ECON 4310 Exchange Rates and the Global Economy
- ECON 4450 Economics of International Migration
- ECON 4560 Economic Development
- ECON 4600 Public Finance
Our economics programs prepare students for careers with multinational corporations, financial institutions and government agencies. Our graduates have gone on to pursue careers in financial centers around the world, including New York City, Madrid, London and Dubai.
Graduates typically find jobs in banking, consulting, insurance, real estate, brokerage firms, marketing, management, budgeting and sales. Government agencies employ economists to work in finance, labor, urban economics and international trade, among other fields. International organizations and nonprofits ― such as the Brookings Institute, the IMF and the World Bank ― seek economists to carry out research and analysis.
SLU-Madrid is committed to providing a quality Jesuit education at an affordable price. Tuition rates at the Madrid campus are approximately 40% lower than at comparable private universities in the U.S.
If you have questions or would like to speak with a financial aid officer, email us at financialaid-madrid@slu.edu.
To be admitted to the major, you must have at least a 2.00 cumulative average and complete a declaration of major form, available in the Office of the Registrar. Upon acceptance to the program, you will be assigned a departmental advisor.
To be certified for graduation, you are required to:
- Have at least a 2.00 cumulative average, a 2.00 average in the major and a 2.00 average in the minor or related elective hours.
- Complete 30 of your final 36 credits at Saint Louis University (either the Madrid or St. Louis campus).
- Submit the online application for degree before the beginning of the semester in which you intend to graduate.
Hear from Industry Experts
SLU-Madrid economics students learn from leaders in the field. You'll attend guest lectures presented by experts from the European business community. You'll also visit the Spanish stock exchange, the national government's Congress of Deputies, businesses with local headquarters and media centers.