Graduates with a major in Applied Economics will have a proficient knowledge of economic concepts and the analytical skills needed to make informed, evidence-based business decisions. The applied economics curriculum systematically uses mathematical and statistical analyses to evaluate economic activities and solve business problems. Applied economics graduates are prepared for careers in business and government and for graduate studies in economics, analytics, business administration, and law.

 Select Educational Outcomes

  1. Graduates will demonstrate knowledge of microeconomics and macroeconomics.
  2. Graduates will explain the impacts of institutions in an economy.
  3. Graduates will use technology to construct meaningful information from data.
  4. Graduates will use quantitative skills to solve business problems. 
  5. Graduates will communicate in writing the findings of economic analysis.

The applied economics faculty use a variety of methods to assess the educational outcomes, including examinations, quizzes, oral presentations, written assignments, and projects. The faculty use assessment results to continuously review and improve the applied economics curriculum.

Requirements for the B.B.A. with a Major in Applied Economics

Core Curriculum60
Core Areas A-E (See VSU Core Curriculum) 142
Area F Requirements 218
Applied Business Statistics
The Environment of Business
Information Systems and Data Transformation in Business
Principles of Microeconomics
Principles of Accounting I
and Principles of Accounting II
Senior College Curriculum60
Required Senior College Core 2
BUSA 3450Management Information Systems3
DATA 3100Introduction to Data Analytics3
DATA 3200Data Visualizations and Analytics3
FIN 3350Financial Management3
MGNT 3250Management and Organization Behavior3
MKTG 3050Introduction to Marketing3
BUSA 4900Strategic Management3
International Option--select one of the following:3
International Economics
Multinational Corporate Finance
Introduction to International Business
International Marketing
International Management
Professional Growth
BUSA 2999Career Development0
BUSA 3999Experiential Learning0
BUSA 4999Career Path0
Required Economics Core 29
ECON 4000Introduction to Econometrics and Data Analysis3
ECON 4100Economics of Business and Work3
ECON 4500Growth and Business Cycles3
Economics Electives 215
Any 3000-or 4000-level ECON courses not required or selected above. At least 6 hours must be 3000- or 4000-level ECON courses.
Supporting Courses 29
Any 3000- or 4000-level ACCT, BUSA, ECON, FIN, HCAD, IB, MGNT, or MKTG courses not required or selected above
Survey of Calculus I
Introduction to Linear Algebra
Probability and Statistics
Introduction to Criminal Justice
Criminal Law
Criminal Justice Data Analysis
Criminal Justice Research Methods
General Elective3
Elective may be undergraduate and/or graduate business and/or non-business courses 4
Total hours required for the degree120
1

 If ECON 2105 is taken in Area E, the grade must be a "C" or better.

2

The grade in each of these courses must be a “C” or better.

3

 If PERS 2799 Personal Finance is not taken in Area B, it must be taken as a general elective.
 If ECON 2105 is not taken in Area E, it must be taken as a general elective, and the grade must be a "C" or better.

4

No more than 9 hours of MBA or MAcc courses may be counted toward the major.

Accelerated Undergraduate-to-Graduate Track

Contingent upon acceptance in to the Accelerated Undergraduate-to-Graduate Track, students wishing to pursue a Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) or a Master of Accountancy (M.Acc.) at Valdosta State University may take up to 9 semester hours of graduate-level coursework (courses numbered 5000 or above) that will count toward Business electives for their major or toward general electives for the undergraduate degree.

Acceptance in to the Accelerated track requires:

1.  written notification by an LCOBA professional advisor from the Student Engagement Center to the LCOBA Director of Graduate Programs of her/his willingness to serve as the student's Accelerated Undergraduate-to-Graduate Track advisor.

2.  completion of 75 credit hours of undergraduate coursework: 

a.  at least 15 hours must be LCOBA courses, with at least a 3.0 GPA for those LCOBA credits; and

b.  a grade of “C” or better must be earned in each of those LCOBA courses.

3.  an overall GPA in undergraduate course work of at least 3.0.

Graduate courses taken as an undergraduate will count toward the 120-hour graduation requirement but will not count toward the student’s undergraduate GPA or the calculation of academic honors.

Upon acceptance into the Accelerated Undergraduate-to-Graduate Track in the M.B.A. or M.Acc., students must maintain an overall GPA of 3.0 to remain in good standing. Students who do not maintain good standing or who do not wish to continue with the Accelerated Undergraduate-to-Graduate Track may revert to their original track to complete the remaining requirements for their undergraduate business degree (B.B.A.).