Studying the Ordinary Business of Life

Economics is the science of making efficient choices in a world constrained by scarce resources and by legal, governmental and social institutions. 

Motivated by a desire to improve business and government decision making through rigorous scientific methods, economists address many important and difficult issues that loom large in the world of today:

• Why are some countries rich and others poor?
• Why is the volume of international trade growing over time despite the dislocations that result for some countries and some industries?
• Is controlling rents a good solution for the rising cost of housing?
• Do higher minimum wage laws help or hurt the poor?

A collaborative environment for learning

The Economics Department at Suffolk University features small, lively classes that allow students to interact closely with faculty and fellow students. The faculty is active in research and policy advising and brings its experiences directly to the classroom.  Each year, the faculty produces a wide variety of research papers, often in collaboration with students.

The Department excels in applied economics and is experienced in applying empirical research to issues of contemporary importance. The Economics Computer Lab employs industry-standard applications including EViews, Gauss, Matlab, Stata and SAS.

Students have many opportunities for hands-on experience through the Beacon Hill Institute (BHI), a think-tank that is closely associated with the Suffolk Economics Department.  BHI research is widely respected and has been cited extensively in print and electronic media.  Research assistantships are available with both the department and BHI.

Advanced degrees

In addition to the undergraduate program, the department offers masters programs and doctoral study. The graduate programs are designed to accommodate the demands of both mid-career professionals and new graduates and may be completed on a part-time or full-time basis. These programs emphasize mastery of the fundamentals of microeconomics, macroeconomics, and econometrics, followed by applications in fields such as international trade and finance, economic policy, industrial organization, and economic development.

Career opportunities

The study of economics provides ideal training for a number of professions. Our undergraduate program is excellent preparation for graduate study in areas such as law and public policy. Past students of our graduate programs have found jobs in consulting firms, banks, state government, think-tanks, and non-governmental organizations.  According to the 2004 estimates of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the annual average income of working economists is $79,520. The faculty is well prepared to mentor graduating students during job searches and create awareness of career opportunities.