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Thompson Rivers University
Thompson Rivers University
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Economics Major, Bachelor of Arts

Develop yourself as a true researcher and problem solver, who actively participates in our world as a global citizen.

Gain the tools you need for management of scarce resources, and the study of decision making. Develop the research skills needed in business today and into the future.

You’ll be able to explain why markets such as retail and housing respond the way they do to changes. Be in demand as many industries look to hire graduates with these abilities. They’ll look to you, to problem solve and help them manage the scarce resources that all governments and industries are subject to.

Careers in economics are as diverse as they come. You could be involved in researching and analyzing economic data, issues and trends. Employers include all levels of government, non-profits, banks, insurance companies, think tanks and large, multinational companies.

Why pursue a Bachelor of Arts, Economics Major?

Economists examine questions such as what will happen if there’s an increase in gas prices for consumers, or broader questions, such as why are some nations rich while others are much poorer. As a result, develop valuable research skills that allow you to pursue a wider range of careers. Economic majors are highlighly employable, and thus they earn more on average with their bachelor degrees.

Fully Flexible

An economics major is as competitive as other majors in business and arts. At TRU, you have the flexibility to add a major or minor in economics to many degrees.

Collaborative Faculty

Your lecturers approach teaching with compassion for their students and truly foster a productive learning environment. Enjoy class with enthusiastic professors, and active listening in small class settings.

Future Proof

You will cultivate the skills that employers are looking for in communication, decision-making, critical thinking, problem-solving, self-learning, working with groups, leadership, global competency, ethics and the ability to apply knowledge in real-world settings.

Program Details

Credential
Bachelor of Arts, Major in Economics
Delivery
Kamloops
Length
Four years
Intake dates
September, January, May
Applications
Now accepting applications
International
Open to international applicants

Apply now Request more info Visit the program website Print this page
Side photo - Students in a group discussing

What will I learn?

You’ll study intermediate topics that include consumer choice under different scenarios, factor markets, game theory, imperfect competition, general equilibrium analysis and welfare economics, public goods, and externalities.

Understand short-run macroeconomic theory and its applications to contemporary policy issues. Examine the overview of macroeconomics; macroeconomic data; the open economy; economic fluctuations; aggregate demand, including investment savings-liquidity preference money supply curves; aggregate supply, economic stabilization and the effectiveness of fiscal and monetary policy; and money supply and demand.

  • 97% of graduates said that said the quality of instruction was very good or good
  • 83% of employed graduate respondents were working full-time
  • 67% of employed respondents were in a job related to their program
  • 49% took further studies

Taken from BC Student Outcomes Data (Data from 2018 to 2020).

Requirements

Admission requirements

Admission requirements

  • Grade 12 (or equivalent) or mature student status
  • English Studies 12/English First Peoples 12 with a minimum of 73% (or equivalent)

Admission to each major program may have specific requirements.

  • Completion of ECON 1900, ECON 1950 and one of the following courses: MATH 1170 or MATH 1140, or equivalent

Career Options / Laddering options

An economics degree will bolster your employability in many areas, regardless of the industry you choose to work in. There’s a strong demand for highly numerate graduates throughout the global labour market, and the widely transferable problem-solving and analytical skills developed by economics students equates to extremely wide ranging and diverse careers in the field.

Economics graduates pursue the following professions:

  • Economist
  • Financial risk analyst
  • Data analyst
  • Financial planner
  • Accountant
  • Economic researcher
  • Financial consultant
  • Investment analyst
  • Public sector roles

You can also leverage your solid research, critical thinking and writing skills acquired as part of your degree into other careers. Graduates find added pathways in education, market research, transportation, logistics and more.

Laddering options

Master in Environmental Economics and Management

Master of Science in Environmental Economics and Management

Kailee Mortimer, Economics Graduate 2019

“I'd probably say that I benefited the most from all the opportunities to get involved around campus. I think being able to participate in things such as the economics club, co-op program and career ambassador program allowed me to apply my studies in economics to things outside of the classroom while expanding my personal and professional network.”
—Kailee Mortimer, Economics Graduate 2019

Owen Powers, economics student

“My studies in climate change economics has offered me valuable insight into the role of natural resources in our global economy. My knowledge of ecological science, combined with my new understanding of how human economics impacts our environments, will prove to be an asset going forward in my natural resource management career.”
—Owen Powers, economics student

Yash Thakker, MBA graduate, economics student

“What I liked most about TRU was the hands on experience provided by the professors which included real world examples of what’s happening in the world in terms of their economy. The involvement of local kamloops businesses in our program really helped us get practical experience in class and had a huge impact on getting us ready to face the real world.”
—Yash Thakker, MBA graduate, economics student

Evan Choy, Finance major, Economics and New Venture Entrepreneurship minor, graduated 2018

“Instructors foster fearlessness in a dynamic setting and that’s the part of what made TRU the foundation for success in my career.”
—Evan Choy, Finance major, Economics & New Venture Entrepreneurship minor, graduated 2018

Faculty Highlights

Talk to the Experts: Economics blends finances and people to understand the world with Economics faculty member Laura Lamb

To deconstruct the field, its various forms and what economists do, TRU economics faculty member Laura Lamb stopped by Kamloops station Radio NL for a chat with TRU Talk to the Experts host Paul Graham.

Op-Ed: TRU researcher takes on log exports

Dr. Joel Wood, assistant professor in the Bob Gaglardi School of Business and Economics, wrote an op-ed for the Victoria Times Colonist arguing against a ban on log exports.

Tuition & Fees

Cost for this program per semester:

  • Canadian
  • International
Choose the number of courses:
1741357
Tuition $0.00
Fees $0.00
Books and supplies
Typically about $150 per course
$0.00
Total (CDN) $0.00

Does not include a lab fee of $23.03 that may apply to some courses.

These are only estimates - your actual cost may vary.

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