Business Economics (BS)

This program was approved for students entering the university in the Summer 2026-Spring 2027 catalog year. For more information about catalog year, go to Catalog Year Information.

Bachelor of Science in Business Economics 
Unit: College of Business (BU)
Department: Economics 
Academic Plan Code(s): BUECBSE

Program Information

The Department of Economics provides a thorough education in economics to undergraduate students of the University for those with majors and minors in the department as well as students from other academic programs. A primary departmental objective is promoting the understanding of the economy through economic analysis of industry, non-profit institutions, and government at the micro- and macroeconomic levels. Students develop comprehension, reasoning, and quantitative skills through their study of domestic and global economic issues.

Degree Summary

¹

 To complete the degree in the minimum number of hours listed, some hours from the General Education Requirements must be satisfied by courses defined by the unit and/or program. Using other courses to satisfy General Education requirements will require additional hours to complete the degree requirements. See the Degree Requirements tab for specific coursework.

²

 College/School Requirements includes 6 hours of required courses that also cover General Education requirements.

Specific coursework information can be found on the Degree Requirements tab.

Accelerated BS Business Economics to MS Business Analytics

Exceptional majors in the BS Business Economic degree tracks may apply to earn up to 9 graduate-level credit hours during their senior year that are counted towards both the BS and MS in Business Analytics degrees, allowing students to go on and complete the graduate degree with the remaining graduate hours, saving both time and expense.  

Undergraduate students interested in participating in an accelerated bachelor’s/ master’s degree offered through the Soaring Scholar program must first meet with their Academic Advisor and be accepted into the program. Once accepted, students will receive an official admission letter outlining program policies and details. They will then work with their department and academic advisor to register for classes each semester, ensuring they meet the milestones and academic progress requirements of the Soaring Scholar program. A Soaring Scholar student is considered an undergraduate student until their bachelor’s degree is conferred. In their final undergraduate semester, they are expected to apply for admission to their respective master's program.

Departmental Admission Requirements

New Students and Transfer Students
 

Admission to the College of Business ensures admission to the BS in Economics.

Current Students - Admission in Good Standing

Students must have both:

1. Earned a 2.8 cumulative GPA (students with an established UofL GPA may not include grades for coursework at another institution in consideration for admission); and
2. Completion of MATH 111 College Algebra - QR (or equivalent) or completion of MATH 180 Elements of Calculus - QR.

General Education Requirements

All degrees require the completion of the University-wide General Education Program (link provided above).  Some General Education requirements may be met in the requirements for the major or supporting coursework, in which case additional electives may be required to complete the minimum hours for the degree.

College/School Requirements

Total of 38 includes 3 credit hours of ECON and 3 credit hours of MATH that are also counted in the 31 General Education hours above.

Program/Major Requirements*

All course prerequisites must be followed.

Transfer students must take a minimum of 12 credit hours in the major within the College of Business.

Six hours of US & global perspectives courses are required and may be incorporated within the degree program.

*Accelerated BS Business Economics to MS Business Analytics 
Students in the accelerated option will take the following graduate courses during their senior year to replace undergraduate program electives:

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College/School Requirements include six hours of the General Education (3 hours Quantitative Reasoning and 3 hours Social & Behavioral Sciences).  General Education Oral Communication courses (COMM 111, COMM 112 or HON 214) are not program requirements, but are required as prerequisite for BUS 301.

²

MATH 205 or MATH 180 must be taken as a required math course for all Economic majors. Their prerequisite(s) may be used as Arts and Sciences elective(s).

³

Completes Quantitative Reasoning General Education.

⁴

Completes 3 hours of Social & Behavioral Sciences.

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The following courses will also meet the statistics requirement: MATH 109, PSYC 301, SOC 301, ISE 360, MATH 360, PHST 302, POLS 390 or equivalent. 

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Students who satisfy General Education Requirements by courses defined by the program may require additional electives to complete the minimum hours for the degree.

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Either PPE 300 or FIN 301 may be taken as 3 hours of Economics electives.  ECON 290 may also be taken as 3 hours of Economics electives.

Flight Plan*

 Accelerated BS Business Economics to MS Business Analytics
Students in the accelerated option will follow the Years 3-4 Flight Plan listed below:

The Flight Plan outlined above is intended to demonstrate one possible path to completing the degree within four years.  Course selection and placement within the program may vary depending on course offerings and schedule, elective preferences, and other factors (study abroad, internship availability, etc.). Please consult your advisor for additional information about building a flight plan that works for you.

Degree Audit Report
Degree Audit reports illustrate how your completed courses fulfill the requirements of your academic plan, and which requirements are still outstanding. Degree audits also take transfer credits and test credits into account. "What-if" reports allow you to compare the courses you have completed in your current academic plan to the courses required in another academic plan.  Should you have questions about either report, please consult with your academic advisor.

To create these reports:

1. Log into your ULink account.
2. Click on the Academic Progress tile.
3. Select the appropriate report.
   1. To run a Degree Audit report, click on "View my Degree Audit."
   2. To create a What-if report, click on "What-if Advisement Report."

Click here to run a Degree Audit report or create a What-if report.

Accelerated BS Business Economics to MS Business Analytics

Exceptional majors the BS Business Economic degree tracks may apply to earn up to 9 graduate-level credit hours during their senior year that are counted towards both the BS and MS in Business Analytics degrees, allowing students to go on and complete the graduate degree with the remaining graduate hours, saving both time and expense.  

Undergraduate students interested in participating in an accelerated dual bachelor’s/ master’s degree offered through the Soaring Scholar program must first meet with their Academic Advisor and be accepted into the program. Once accepted, students will receive an official admission letter outlining program policies and details. They will then work with their department and academic advisor to register for classes each semester, ensuring they meet the milestones and academic progress requirements of the Soaring Scholar program. A Soaring Scholar student is considered an undergraduate student until their bachelor’s degree is conferred. In their final undergraduate semester, they are expected to apply for admission to their respective master's program.

Students in the accelerated option will take the following graduate courses during their senior year to replace undergraduate program electives: