Bachelor of Science in Business - Business Economics and Public Policy Concentration

 

Overview

The concentration in Business Economics and Public Policy is concerned with the continuing business-government dialogue that leads to effective decision-making and equitable relations between the private and public sectors of society. The economic and social foundations of government programs and regulatory activity are studied to establish a basis for developing and evaluating effective business responses.

The concentration is designed to develop understanding and skills useful for a wide variety of positions in business, public, and not-for-profit organizations. Students deepen their understanding of the social and legal environment that influence business and its relationships with government at all levels. Students also receive strong in-depth training in micro- and macroeconomic analysis. This key element of the field prepares students to perform rigorous and sophisticated analyses of the economic impacts of policy decisions on public, private, and not-for-profit organizations.

The concentration is also designed to ensure that students understand the workings of political systems and institutions, particularly the U.S. federal government. This understanding includes recognizing not only what government can do and achieve, but also the limits of its power and the role of private interests in driving political decision-making in Congress and in federal agencies.

Career Options in Business Economics and Public Policy 

Students most often seek careers in business, government, law, and consulting. Past Business Economics and Public Policy students have found jobs in business and consulting firms in the DC area and have pursued law school or an MBA.

 

Degree Requirements

The following requirements must be fulfilled for the concentration in business economics and public policy: 15 credits in required and selected courses; at least 9 of these credits must be taken in residence. All concentration courses must be completed with a minimum grade of C-.

Concentrations are only available to GWSB students. See Concentrations under GW School of Business Undergraduate Regulations in this Bulletin for additional information.

Required
ECON 2101Intermediate Microeconomic Theory
One course selected from each of the following areas:
Economics
ECON 2102Intermediate Macroeconomic Theory
ECON 2158Industrial Organization
Political science
PSC 2211State and Urban Politics
PSC 2214U.S. Constitutional Law and Politics I
PSC 2215U.S. Constitutional Law and Politics II
PSC 2219Political Parties and Interest Groups
PSC 2220Public Opinion
PSC 2228Media, Politics, and Government
or SMPA 3428 Media, Politics, and Government
PSC 2229Media and Politics
Political institutions
PSC 2213Judicial Politics
PSC 2216The American Presidency
PSC 2218Legislative Politics
or PSC 2218W Legislative Politics
Policy focus
ECON 2136Environmental and Natural Resource Economics
ECON 2148
ECON 3190Law and Economics
GEOG 2120World Regional Geography
IAFF 3190Special Topics in International Affairs (Human Rights and Ethics)
MGT 3305Human Capital Sustainability
PSC 2222Science, Technology, and Politics
TSTD 4900Special Topics (Advocacy & Lobbying)