Economics, BA, Online BA
Manage business operations, analyze consumer behavior or prepare for graduate studies with the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee’s online Bachelor of Arts in Economics – ranked in the top 40% by U.S. News & World Reports for online economics programs. You will learn how to use economic theories to understand motivations behind decisions made by businesses, government bodies and individuals.
Through the curriculum, you’ll explore data analysis techniques and evaluate public policies that impact societies worldwide. With a focus on practical application, you’ll learn to think critically and use your knowledge of how organizations and individuals make choices to influence their decisions, positioning yourself as an asset to many organizations.
Learn more about undergraduate online education, including important pricing information.
Start Dates: Fall, Spring or Summer
Cost per Credit: $395 (Total Cost: $47,400*)
Credit Hours: 120 (30 Credits in Major)
*Total cost will vary based on the number of credits transferred into UWM.
Program Type
Major
Program Format
Online
Why study Economics at UWM?
- Customize your degree with a wide selection of elective courses.
- Benefit from the same curriculum and expert faculty online as on campus.
- Connect classroom concepts with real-world scenarios through interactive virtual courses and in-person internship experiences in your local area.
- Accelerate your academic journey with our in-person combined BA/MA in Economics program, which allows you to complete both degrees in five years.
Financial Aid
Various financial aid options are available to support your educational journey. UWM’s Student Financial Services team will guide you through the financial aid process, helping you identify and apply for the best options to fund your bachelor’s degree.
Scholarships
UWM’s scholarships encompass a wide variety of awards, including academic excellence and need-based opportunities. Scholarship opportunities may increase with academic standing. Explore the Panther Scholarship Portal regularly as you make progress on your degree.
Admissions
Applicants must meet UWM’s general admission requirements to be considered for admission.
Curriculum
Cultivate a strong foundation in economics that prepares you for success, whether you’re aiming for graduate studies or eager to make your mark in the professional world. We’ve crafted the curriculum to ensure that when you graduate, you’ll not just hold a degree but also carry a toolkit of skills you can apply in the real world.
Discover economic theories, policies and applications that form the basis of real world decision making — how humans assess cost-benefit and make a choice. While the coursework is structured, there’s room for personalization — your electives and research projects are opportunities to focus on topics that interest you.
For example, students interested in labor economics can dive into how businesses determine staffing levels and how individuals choose among job options. You can explore an interest in international trade with classes that focus on how governments determine and set trade policies.
An economics concentration isn’t required. However, you can specialize your studies with optional concentrations in:
- International Economic Relations
- Quantitative Methods
- Graduate School Preparation
Economics Major Requirements
To major in economics, students must earn grades of at least C in ECON 103 and ECON 104, attain at least a 2.0 GPA on all credits in the major attempted at UWM, and attain at least a 2.0 GPA on all major credits attempted when any transfer work is included along with the UWM work. The major in economics requires a minimum of 30 credits plus a research requirement including the following:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required 1 | ||
| ECON 103 | Principles of Microeconomics | 3 |
| ECON 104 | Principles of Macroeconomics | 3 |
| ECON 210 | Economic Statistics 2 | 3 |
| ECON 301 | Intermediate Microeconomics | 3 |
| ECON 302 | Intermediate Macroeconomics | 3 |
| Electives 1 | ||
| Select at least one course at the 400 level or above (excluding ECON 415). | 3 | |
| Select 12 additional credits in ECON, 3 of which must be in an approved research requirement course (see below). | 12 | |
| Total Credits | 30 | |
- 1
At least 15 credits must be in upper-division (300 level and above) economics courses taken in residence at UWM.
- 2
BUS ADM 210 or MTHSTAT 215 may be substituted for ECON 210 and will count in the major GPA.
Research Requirement
All majors in economics must complete an independent research experience by selecting, from the list below, a 400- or 500-level course in which they will write and present a research paper. The contents of the paper and the presentation of the results will be arranged with the faculty member teaching the course.
Eligible courses include:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Economic Applications of Game Theory | ||
| Economic Forecasting Methods | ||
| Statistics for Economists | ||
| Public Economics | ||
| Industrial Organization | ||
| Labor Economics | ||
| Economics of Human Resources | ||
| International Trade | ||
| International Finance | ||
| Mathematical Economics I | ||
| Introduction to Econometrics | ||
| The Economics of Water | ||
| Independent Work |
Optional Concentrations
The Department offers three optional concentrations within the major. While completing the major requirements outlined above, students may elect to complete one of the following sets of requirements:
International Economic Relations
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Choose three of the following courses: | ||
| Introduction to International Economic Relations | ||
| Economic Development | ||
| International Trade | ||
| International Finance | ||
Quantitative Methods
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Choose three of the following courses: | ||
| Introduction to Econometrics and Data Science | ||
| Economic Forecasting Methods | ||
| Statistics for Economists | ||
| Introduction to Econometrics | ||
Graduate Preparation
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Choose two courses each from the quantitative methods module and the economic theory module as follows: | ||
| Statistics for Economists | ||
| Mathematical Economics I | ||
| Introduction to Econometrics | ||
| Mathematical Economics II | ||
Additional Economics Modules
For courses that meet the requirements of the following modules:
- General Economics;
- Economic Theory;
- The Economics of Public Policy;
- Strategy, Law, and the Economy; and
- Labor Economics
Please see below.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| General Economics | ||
| Introductory Economics | ||
| Principles of Microeconomics | ||
| Principles of Macroeconomics | ||
| Economics of Personal Finance | ||
| First-Year Seminar: | ||
| Independent Study | ||
| Economic Statistics | ||
| Economics of Discrimination | ||
| Selected Topics in Economics: | ||
| Internship in Economics, Lower Division | ||
| Study Abroad: | ||
| Ad Hoc: | ||
| Honors Seminar: | ||
| Selected Topics in Economics: | ||
| Internship in Economics, Upper Division | ||
| Study Abroad: | ||
| Ad Hoc: | ||
| Independent Work | ||
| Economic Theory | ||
| Intermediate Microeconomics | ||
| Intermediate Macroeconomics | ||
| Economic Applications of Game Theory | ||
| Mathematical Economics I | ||
| Mathematical Economics II | ||
| The Economics of Public Policy | ||
| Money and Banking | ||
| Environmental Economics | ||
| Public Economics | ||
| Health Economics | ||
| The Economics of Water | ||
| Strategy, Law, and the Economy | ||
| Analysis of American Industries | ||
| Economics of Antitrust Laws | ||
| Industrial Organization | ||
| Labor Economics | ||
| Economics of Employment and Labor Relations | ||
| Labor Economics | ||
| Economics of Human Resources | ||
Letters & Science Advising
During your time at UWM, you may have multiple members of your success team, including advisors, peer mentors and success coaches. Letters & Science students typically work with at least two different types of advisors as they pursue their degrees: professional college advisors and faculty advisors. L&S college advisors advise across your entire degree program while departmental faculty advisors focus on the major.
College advisors are located in Holton Hall (or virtually for online students) and serve as your primary advisor. They are your point person for your questions about navigating college and completing your degree. College advisors will:
- Assist you in defining your academic and life goals.
- Help you create an educational plan that is consistent with those goals.
- Assist you in understanding curriculum, major and degree requirements for graduation, as well as university policies and procedures.
- Provide you with information about campus and community resources and refer you to those resources as appropriate.
- Monitor your progress toward graduation and completion of requirements.
Faculty advisors mentor students in the major and assist them in maximizing their development in the program. You will begin working with a faculty advisor when you declare your major. Faculty advisors are an important partner and will:
- Help you understand major requirements and course offerings in the department.
- Explain opportunities for internships and undergraduate research and guide you in obtaining those experiences.
- Serve as an excellent resource as you consider potential graduate programs and career paths in your field.
Students are encouraged to meet with both their college advisor and faculty advisor at least once each semester. Appointments are available in-person, by phone or by video.
Currently enrolled students should use the Navigate360 website to make an appointment with your assigned advisor or call (414) 229-4654 if you do not currently have an assigned Letters & Science advisor. Prospective students who haven't enrolled in classes yet should call (414) 229-7711 or email let-sci@uwm.edu.
The analytical and problem-solving abilities we foster in the economics major make you eligible for roles that require strategic thinking, decision-making and navigating modern businesses.
Recent job outcomes showcase the program’s versatility and the high demand for these skills, with alumni securing positions at prestigious companies like:
- Associate Attorney, Miller Canfield
- Auditor, PGRX
- Business Analyst, Direct Supply
- Business Analyst, Kimberly-Clark
- Buyer, Johnson Controls
- Contract Analyst, WPS Health
- Data Analyst, Ascension
- Financial Analyst, Procter & Gamble
- International Trade Specialist, U.S. Commercial Services
- Marketing Analyst, Catholic Financial Life
- Marketing Assistant, Summit Credit Union
- Merchandise Analyst, Kohl’s
- Pricing Analyst, Mark Travel Corp.
- Program Manager, Northwestern Mutual
- Target and Segmentation Specialist, Kohl’s
- Underwriter, Northwestern Mutual
- Wholesale Manager, Park Ridge Organics
- Zoning Specialist, Village of Brown Deer
The Department of Economics also provides course recommendations for different career paths: