JPMorgan “Chases” Jaylin Hudson ’24 with internship and a job offer while at Wooster
Jaylin Hudson ’24 was inspired to pursue a career in finance after growing up in a low-income neighborhood with limited opportunities to learn about […]
Overview
What can you do with a business economics degree from a liberal arts college?
The College of Wooster provides a rigorous business program within the context of the liberal arts. Companies seek graduates that develop broad analytical and writing skills that can be applied across a range of contexts. Since our program trains students to use data to generate business insights in diverse settings, business economics majors have found immediate success in the private sector. Students who are focused on a career in finance are mentored to select electives and internships to prepare for the Series 7 “General Securities Representative” exam. Where have Wooster Business Economics majors landed their first jobs? Merrill Lynch, Ernst & Young, Citigroup, Key Bank, Capital One, Quicken Loans, Bank of America, GE Capital, Brattle Group, NBC Golf Channel, Square Trade, Chime, not to mention a large number of multinational companies like Royal Dutch Shell and Microsoft, as well as regulatory agencies such as the U.S. Commodity Futures Training Commission and the Federal Reserve Bank. About half the graduates of the business economics program at Wooster eventually earn advanced degrees in business, law, accounting, actuarial science, and other fields. Alumni of this program are CEOs, CFOs, and group vice presidents at some of the world’s largest companies.
Business Economics at The College of Wooster
The Business Economics major uses quantitative methods and economic theory to analyze business enterprises, their decisions, and the factors that contribute to the diversity of organizational structures around the globe. Our offerings develop a sophisticated understanding of business operation and an appreciation for the social and economic complexities of the world in which firms operate. The Business Economics major is provided within the Economics department. Unlike a traditional business program, Business Economics majors gain a rigorous understanding of economic theory and quantitative methods that can be applied to contemporary problems in finance, management, and all aspects of a business including human resources, marketing, innovation, corporate responsibility, and strategy. This training is why the Board of Trustees entrusted $2 Million of Wooster’s Endowment to the student-run Jenny Investment Club (JIC). While the club is open to all majors, many business economics students have used the skills they learned in class to become (student) Trustees. They participate actively in one of the oldest student-run investment clubs. The current value of the JIC’s portfolio exceeds $10 million. Mentored by a diverse PhD. faculty with different backgrounds, students are exposed to global and international business issues within and outside the department in courses or international internships. While accounting is required, students are also mentored to explore electives in marketing, ethics, finance, entrepreneurship, and strategy. Combining internships, project based learning, real investment experience, and courses, the major prepares students to enter the business world directly after graduation.
Outside the Classroom
Jenny Investment Club
The JIC, founded in 1955, is a student-managed investment portfolio currently valued around $10.1 million. The group meets weekly and works to generate funding for the College’s scholarship program. The program is for all students, including those new to investing.
Find out more about the Jenny Investment Club
Applied Methods and Research Experience (AMRE)
The Applied Methods and Research Experience (AMRE) gives College of Wooster students the opportunity to apply classroom learning in the role of business and organizational consultants. For eight weeks of the summer, student teams and faculty advisors are paired with a (usually local) business, industry, or agency (client). Student participants are exposed to practical applications of their liberal arts education in a “real world” setting. This experience aids students in determining professional interests and developing professional skills. The faculty advisors have the opportunity to be involved with a very select group of students in a summer activity, while potentially contributing to research in applied fields. Clients have the opportunity to tangibly support education and, at a low cost, obtain solutions to problems that would most likely not be addressed internally.
Faculty & Staff
Brooke Krause
Department Chair and Associate Professor of Economics & Business Economics
Melanie Long
Assistant Professor of Economics & Business Economics; Women's, Gender & Sexuality Studies
Moses Luri
Assistant Professor of Economics and Statistical and Data Sciences (On Leave for Fall 2024)
Amyaz Moledina
Professor of Economics & Business Economics and Department Chair of Global & International Studies; Co-Founder of Social Entrepreneurship Program
Mary Spencer
Administrative Coordinator, Notary Public - Economics and Business Economics, Education, Psychology
Latest Business Economics News
Economics major studies financial inclusion deficits following peer-to-peer lending law
An estimated 4.5% of U.S. households (approximately 5.9 million people) were “unbanked” in 2021 meaning they didn’t have a checking or savings account at […]
Economics major investigates ecotourism through gender-equity lens
A 2023 TREK trip to Costa Rica with faculty and students from The College of Wooster inspired economics major Trinity Harmon ’24 to investigate […]
Business economics alumnus contracts with Olympics to provide hospitality services for 2024 Summer Games
Kevin Friedman ’09 transferred to The College of Wooster at the start of his sophomore year after his former high school football coach—a Wooster […]
Major
The Business Economics major provides a sophisticated understanding of finance, business operations, and an appreciation for the social and economic complexities of the world in which firms operate. The requirements for the major are formulated to acquaint the student with the structure and organization of the business firm, and to provide a framework of theoretical and quantitative analysis necessary for business decision-making.
The courses together build skills that employers in the business world seek such as writing, data analysis, public speaking, and team-based problem solving in multi-cultural settings. The core courses of Financial Accounting, Quantitative Methods and Econometrics expose students to the tools of applied business analytics. Core to the major is a familiarity with economic modeling in a business context. Economic modeling includes optimization and price theory as well as electives in game theory and cost/benefit analysis. The major also features a unique three course sequence in Finance. Additional electives courses in marketing, ethics, strategic management, and behavioral economics broaden a student’s exposure.
Students interested in broad policy training should consider an Economics major. Students interested in Entrepreneurship should consider the pathway and combine it with the appropriate training in Business Economics. If you are interested in International Business make an appointment with the Chair of Economics to construct an academic plan.
View CoursesIndependent Study
All students at The College of Wooster complete independent study under the guidance of a faculty mentor. The research forms the basis of a thesis that is delivered in the spring semester of each student’s senior year.
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Economics major studies financial inclusion deficits following peer-to-peer lending law
An estimated 4.5% of U.S. households (approximately 5.9 million people) were “unbanked” in 2021 meaning they didn’t have a checking or savings account at […]
Economics major investigates ecotourism through gender-equity lens
A 2023 TREK trip to Costa Rica with faculty and students from The College of Wooster inspired economics major Trinity Harmon ’24 to investigate […]
Scanning and Spending: Examining the Impact of Mobile Payment Penetration on the Saving Rate in Contemporary China
Student: Yuxuan (Katie) Ke Majors: Business Economics, East Asian Studies Advisors: Melanie Long, James Bonk China’s national saving rate has been among the highest […]
Measuring the E-Commerce Effect
Jack Marousek ran economic models to research e-retailers' impact on traditional shopping for his I.S.
Alumni
About half the graduates of the business economics program at Wooster go on to earn advanced degrees in business, law, accounting, actuarial science and other fields. Alumni of this program are CEOs, CFOs and group vice presidents at some of the world’s largest companies.
Related Articles
JPMorgan “Chases” Jaylin Hudson ’24 with internship and a job offer while at Wooster
Jaylin Hudson ’24 was inspired to pursue a career in finance after growing up in a low-income neighborhood with limited opportunities to learn about […]
Business economics alumnus contracts with Olympics to provide hospitality services for 2024 Summer Games
Kevin Friedman ’09 transferred to The College of Wooster at the start of his sophomore year after his former high school football coach—a Wooster […]
SEC Coach of the Year found coaching roots and values as Fighting Scot
One of the Fighting Scots’ men’s basketball program’s greatest post-College of Wooster success stories is University of South Carolina head men’s basketball coach Lamont […]
Business economics and mathematics alumna uses liberal arts education to tackle critical financial problems
For Sanjana Kumbhani ’17, challenging questions are a part of everyday life. As a business economics and mathematics major at The College of Wooster, […]
Student Organizations
The Jenny Investment Club, founded in 1955, is a student-managed investment portfolio currently valued around $10.1 million. The group’s goal is to generate returns to generate funding for the College’s scholarship program. We meet weekly on Sundays and students with any level of experience with investing, including those new to investing, are welcome.
Learn more about the Jenny Investment Club student organization.
Lectures
James R. Wilson Lecture Series
Endowed in 2001 by James R. and Linda R. Wilson, the James R. Wilson Lecture Series in Business Economics brings business and financial leaders to the Wooster campus to share their insights with students, faculty, and the broader community.
Past lecturers
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- 2019 – J. Clifford Hudson, chairman and CEO of Sonic Corporation<
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- 2018 – William Espey chief marketing officer of Chipotle Mexican Grill
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- 2018 – Robbie Bach former senior vice president of Microsoft.
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- 2017 – James Dicke II , Chairman and CEO of Crown Equipment Corporation.
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- 2016 – Milton Ezrati , former senior economist and market strategist Lord Abbett Funds.
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- 2016 – Walt W. Bettinger II, CEO at The Charles Schwab Corporation.
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- 2015 – H.J. Markley ’72 retired executive vice president of John Deere.
- 2015 – Michelle Stacy, former President of Keurig, Inc.