Application deadline
Credits and costs
Nationally Recognized
Advance Your Career with an Online Degree in Economics
An increasing world population, the scarcity of resources and the growing need for social responsibility are very prominent issues that we currently face in society. The importance of these areas has created a need for individuals that can understand the actions of society and create incentives that lead to welfare and sustainability.
Economics is the social science that aims to understand and predict human behavior by combining a strong education in liberal arts with a thorough understanding of mathematics and computer science.
In this program, you will have the opportunity to study with highly regarded faculty from Penn State's College of the Liberal Arts, one of the premier institutions in the world to study and work in the liberal arts disciplines. The curriculum of this program is designed to give you the tools to understand how incentives affect human behavior, markets, and economies so you can model real-life situations, effectively allocate resources, and map out the best outcomes.
Along with giving you the benefit of a top-quality liberal arts education, Penn State’s Bachelor of Arts in Economics can provide you with the additional advantage of a solid foundation in the analytical knowledge of economics, as well as the skills to think more critically in your work for complex national and international organizations, and to manage change and social challenges effectively.
Expand Your Skills
With your bachelor of arts degree in economics, you can expand your career opportunities to work in diverse professional settings, with a varied set of professional responsibilities that could include:
- examining trends, such as turnover rates, product cycles, or immigration to help make predictions about the future
- carrying out quantitative analysis through surveys and data collection to understand and explain human behavior
- advising the strategic leadership of any organization to maximize the payoff for all stakeholders
- designing policies or making recommendations to optimize the use of resources in any project or plan
Who Should Apply?
A Bachelor of Arts in Economics may be most suitable for you if you wish to work in consulting or if you want to advance your career in the following fields:
- government
- health and environmental policy
- public policy
- small, medium or large businesses
- nonprofit organizations (national and international)
Stepping-Stone for Your Long-Term Goals
The Bachelor of Arts in Economics program can offer you an excellent stepping-stone to graduate or specialized studies, especially in economics or law school.
Choose Your Focus in Economics
We offer both a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science in Economics. Both degrees have the same required core curriculum focused on helping you understand complex economic systems and make informed decisions about real-world challenges.
Choose the one that best fits your career goals by deciding if you want to focus on additional mathematical theory or foreign languages and international relations.
- The Bachelor of Arts in Economics program requires additional courses in a foreign language, which will prepare students to create an economic focus aimed at social behavior, culture, and international relations in preparation for work with national or global organizations.
- The Bachelor of Science in Economics program requires additional math and computer science courses to help students develop a deeper focus on mathematical models, allowing them to develop solid analytical skills, especially in mathematics theory, statistics, research, and computer programming.
Online Education at Penn State
Penn State has a history of 100+ years of distance education and more than a decade of experience in online learning. We create an online learning environment that offers you the same quality education our residential students experience in a face-to-face setting. Learn more about Penn State World Campus.
Courses
The Bachelor of Arts in Economics requires you to complete a minimum of 120 credits.
If you are a transfer student, the number of credits you must take will vary according to the courses that transfer into the economics program. Once you are admitted to the program, your assigned academic adviser can help you select the remaining required courses.
A student enrolled in this major must receive a grade of C or better in all courses required for the major.
Prescribed Courses (18 credits)
Supporting Courses and Related Areas (select 18 credits)
For Supporting Courses, select 18 credits in economics 300- or 400-level with department approval, including at least 9 credits at the 400 level.
Additional 400-level courses are being developed. Please check with your adviser about their availability.
Bachelor of Arts Degree Requirements
Some Bachelor of Arts requirements may be satisfied by courses required for the major, General Education courses, or electives. Students should work with an adviser to select courses.
- Foreign Language: 0–12 credits
Student must attain 12th credit level of proficiency in one foreign language. - B.A. Fields: 9 credits
Humanities, Social and Behavioral Sciences, Arts, Foreign Languages, Natural Sciences, Quantification (cannot be taken in the area of the student's primary major; foreign language credits in this category must be in a second foreign language or beyond the 12th credit level of proficiency in the first language) - Other Cultures: 0–3 credits
Select 3 credits from approved list. Students may count courses in this category in order to meet other major, minor, elective, or General Education requirements, except for the General Education US/IL requirement.
General Education Requirements
Some General Education requirements may be satisfied by courses required for the major. Students should work with an adviser to select courses.
- Foundations: 15 credits
All courses require a grade of C or better. Inter-Domain courses may not be used for foundations requirements.- Writing/Speaking: 9 credits
- Quantification: 6 credits
3-6 credits are selected from mathematics, applied mathematics, and statistics; 3 credits may be selected from computer science or symbolic logic.
- Knowledge Domains: 15 credits
Inter-Domain courses may not be used for knowledge domain requirements.- Health and Wellness (GHW): 3 credits
- Natural Sciences (GN): 3 credits
- Arts (GA): 3 credits
- Humanities (GH): 3 credits
- Social and Behavioral Sciences (GS): 3 credits
- Integrative Studies: 6 credits
- Inter-Domain course work: 6 credits
- Exploration: 9 credits
- Natural Sciences (GN) (may be Inter-Domain): 3 credits
- GA, GH, GN, GS, and Inter-Domain courses: 6 credits
May include 3 credits of World Language course work beyond the requirements of the student’s degree program or at the 12th credit level, whichever is higher.
These General Education Requirements are for students who started in summer 2023 or later. Students who started earlier can review the prior version of the general education requirements.
Course Availability
If you're ready to see when your courses will be offered, visit our public LionPATH course search (opens in new window) to start planning ahead.
Costs and Financial Aid
Undergraduate Tuition
Undergraduate tuition is calculated based on the number of credits for which you register and the number of total credits you have accrued at or transferred to Penn State.
Tuition is due shortly after each semester begins and rates are assessed every semester of enrollment.
| How many credits do you plan to take per semester? | If you have 59 or fewer credits | If you have 60 or more credits |
|---|---|---|
| 11 or fewer | $626 per credit | $671 per credit |
| 12–19 | $7,602 per semester | $8,206 per semester |
Undergraduate students taking more than 19 credits will be charged the flat tuition rate plus the regular per credit hour rate for each credit above 19.
| How many credits do you plan to take per semester? | If you have 59 or fewer credits | If you have 60 or more credits |
|---|---|---|
| 11 or fewer | $632 per credit | $678 per credit |
| 12–19 | $7,678 per semester | $8,288 per semester |
Undergraduate students taking more than 19 credits will be charged the flat tuition rate plus the regular per credit hour rate for each credit above 19.
Financial Aid and Military Benefits
Some students may qualify for financial aid. Take the time to research financial aid, scholarships, and payment options as you prepare to apply. Military service members, veterans, and their spouses or dependents should explore these potential military education benefits and financial aid opportunities, as well.
How to Apply
Deadlines and Important Dates
Your degree application, including receipt of all transcripts, must be received by the following deadlines to be considered complete.
New students are encouraged to complete the FAFSA by March 1. Please visit the Office of Student Aid website for more information about applying for financial aid and recommended deadlines.
Admissions Help
Thank you for your interest in applying to this program. Contact an admissions counselor to discuss your educational goals, financial aid options, and application deadlines.
Admission Requirements
To apply for this program, you must be a high school graduate, or have completed your GED.
Entrance-to-Major Requirements
In order to declare economics as your major, you must complete the ECON 102 and ECON 104 courses with a grade of C or better.
What You Need
Applications are submitted electronically and include a nonrefundable application fee. You will need the following items to complete your application:
High school transcripts or GED transcript - First-year applicants are required to submit Self-Reported Academic Records (SRAR). Official high school transcripts will only be required at the time a student accepts an offer of admission to Penn State.
Official college or university transcripts, if you attended another institution, and/or official military transcripts (if applicable). (All college or university transcripts are required regardless of the length of time that has passed, the grades earned, or the accreditation of the institutions attended. Acceptance of transfer credit toward your degree is subject to final approval by the academic department. For detailed information, see the Transfer Students page.)
Transcripts not in English must be accompanied by a certified translation. Please send your transcripts by mail or electronically through Parchment, eScrip-Safe, or the National Student Clearinghouse directly to Penn State from the college/university where coursework was attempted.
Submit official documents by mail to:
Undergraduate Admissions Office
The Pennsylvania State University
201 Shields Building
University Park PA 16802
English Proficiency — The language of instruction at Penn State is English. With some exceptions, international applicants must take and submit scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Minimum test scores and exceptions are found in the English Language Proficiency section on the Undergraduate Admissions International Requirements page. Visit the TOEFL website for testing information. Penn State's institutional code is 2660.
Start Your Application
Former Penn State students may not need to complete the admissions application. Please visit our Returning Students page for instructions.
If this is your first time applying to Penn State, you'll need to complete the following steps:
- Review the application instructions before beginning.
- Complete the online application and submit all official documents.
- Pay the application fee.
Checking Your Status
You can check the status of your application by using the same login information established for the online application form and choosing "MyPennState — Check Application Status." Your decision letter (confirming your acceptance or denial) will be mailed four to six weeks after receipt of all application materials. An admissions counselor will contact you if additional information is required.
Technical Requirements
Review the technical requirements for this degree program.
Get the resources you need to make informed decisions about your education. Request information on this program and other programs of interest by completing this form.
Start or Advance Your Career
Start or Advance Your Career
You can use the knowledge gained from this program and the support of Penn State career resources to pursue careers in a variety of fields, depending on your goals.
Contact Us
To learn more about the Bachelor of Arts in Economics, offered in partnership with the Penn State College of the Liberal Arts, please contact:
World Campus Admissions Counselors
Phone: 814-863-5386
Email: [email protected]
Faculty
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Austin Boyle
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DegreePh.D., Economics, Florida State University
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DegreeB.A., Florida Atlantic University
Dr. Austin Boyle is an assistant teaching professor of economics whose areas of interest and research include teaching and learning, housing markets, and walkability.
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David Brown
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DegreePh.D., Economics, Kansas State University
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DegreeB.A., Economics; B.A., Computer Science, Hastings College
Dr. David Brown serves as the director of the Undergraduate Studies program in the Department of Economics.
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Jaime Brown
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DegreeM.A., Economics, Kansas State University
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DegreeB.A., Economics, Hastings College
Jaime Brown has taught Introductory Microeconomics, Introductory Macroeconomics, Labor Economics, and International Economics. She is especially interested in helping students see how economics connects to current events and other "hot topic" issues (immigration, gender wage gap, etc.).
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Katherine S. Coll
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DegreeM.A., Economics, University of Delaware
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DegreeB.A., Economics and Mathematics, Salisbury University
Katherine S. Coll is an assistant teaching professor of economics. She teaches a variety of economics courses, including principles and intermediate microeconomics, macroeconomics, international trade, development, and labor economics. Her research interests focus on health care economics, with a special interest in the pharmaceutical industry. In 2017, she received the Filippelli Institute Award for Excellence in Online Teaching.
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William Goffe
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DegreePh.D., Economics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
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DegreeB.A., Math and Economics, University of Virginia
Dr. William Goffe is an associate teaching professor of economics whose interests include pedagogy and computational economics.
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Paul Kagundu
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DegreePh.D., Economics, Georgia State University
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DegreeM.S., Economics, University of North Texas
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DegreeB.S., Economics, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
Dr. Paul Kagundu is associate director of the Undergraduate Studies program in the Department of Economics and a teaching professor of economics. His interests include development economics, public finance, and economics pedagogy.
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Pitchayaporn "Peach" Tantihkarnchana
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DegreePh.D., Economics, Washington State University
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DegreeM.S., Economics, Washington State University
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DegreeB.A., Economics, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
Dr. Pitchayaporn "Peach" Tantihkarnchana is an assistant teaching professor of economics. Her areas of interest and research include environmental law, environmental and natural resources, and land development.
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