If you’ve ever wondered what determines the price of food, prescription drugs, college tuition or why incomes vary so much between people, then consider studying economics at Kirkwood.
You’ll be able to explore answers to these questions and more, as you understand the factors that determine production, distribution, and the consumption of goods and services.
As a Liberal Arts student, you'll take core requirements while choosing from interesting and business-focused electives in economics.
Kirkwood has more than $3 million in scholarships available each year — making your most affordable option even more affordable.
Kirkwood has special transfer agreements with all three state universities and many other four-year institutions, plus a 2 + 2 agreement with the University of Iowa. Transferring and earning a degree in economics couldn’t be easier or more affordable.
The Economics interest area at Kirkwood is part of our Liberal Arts program. You will work closely with the experts at the Advising and Transfer Center and economics faculty when deciding which classes are right for you.
Our economics faculty can be a great resource to you in making transfer decisions and planning for a career in an economics-related field. They are experts in the discipline who are ready to help you find the right path during your journey into anything economics.
With many options to choose from, the advising process will also help you make the best decisions for your areas of interest.
ECN-120 Principles of Macroeconomics
Introduces principles of the economizing problem with emphasis on national income and employment analysis. Includes national income accounting, the business cycle, money and banking, fiscal and monetary theory, policy, and economic growth. Recommended for students pursuing a baccalaureate degree.
Credits: 3, Hours: (3/0/0/0), Prereq: none; Coreq: none; Arts & Sciences Elective Code: A
ECN-130 Principles of Microeconomics
Emphasizes markets, the price system and the allocation of resources, demand and supply, market structures, price and output determination, and income distribution. Recommended for students pursuing a baccalaureate degree.
Credits: 3, Hours: (3/0/0/0), Prereq: none; Coreq: none; Arts & Sciences Elective Code: A
ECN-924 Honors Project
Allows a qualified honors student to pursue a special concentration of study under the guidance of an honors faculty member. Requires completion of an honors project learning contract. May be taken more than once.
Credits: 1, Hours: (1/0/0/0), Prereq: none; Coreq: none; Arts & Sciences Elective Code: A; Comments: Requires approval of supervising professor and dean
ECN-928 Independent Study
Provides readings, papers and basic research or other projects under the individual guidance of faculty.
Credits: 1, Hours: (1/0/0/0), Prereq: none; Coreq: none; Arts & Sciences Elective Code: A; Comments: Permission of instructor, dean
If you're planning to transfer to a four-year program, you'll work very closely with advisors in our Advising and Transfer Center. They'll make sure you have everything completed for a seamless transfer.
Our advisors help take the guesswork and confusion out of the process, making sure you meet Kirkwood’s graduation requirements, as well as the admission requirements and transferability of courses to your transfer school.
By meeting with our advisors early and often, you’ll be better prepared for the next steps in continuing your economics education after Kirkwood.
Economics students should take the following suggested career-focused courses:
Economics students are encouraged to join the Kirkwood chapter of Business Professionals of America (BPA) and/or Future Business Leaders of America, INC. (FBLA).
With 45,000 members in more than 1,800 chapters across 25 states and Puerto Rico, as well as an international presence in China, Haiti and Peru, BPA has the ability to enhance student participation in professional, civic, service and social endeavors.
FBLA is the largest business Career and Technical Student Organization in the world, helping more than 230,000 members prepare for careers in business each year.
BPA and FBLA are two of eight recognized members of the National Coordinating Council for Career and Technical Student Organizations (NCC-CTSO). CTSOs are co-curricular groups that help students in career and technical education programs further their knowledge and skills by participating in activities, events, and competitions.
Opportunities in economics are expected to expand with most of the growth being in the private sector. Many economists choose a specialization that will lead them to a rewarding career path. The skills and knowledge gained can also be applied to fields like agriculture, medicine, education, law, energy, and conservation. At Kirkwood, we can help you explore career options by providing appropriate guidance in and out of the classroom to help you find the right fit.
Career Coach is an incredible resource for exploring your career options in economics. Get access to the most current data on beginning, average, and upper salaries for positions right here in Iowa. You’ll also be linked to current employment postings, as well as associated education and training information.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics is a governmental agency devoted to economic data, especially having to do with labor markets, research, and policy.
The Bureau of Economic Analysis is a governmental agency devoted to macroeconomic data, research, and policy.
The Federal Reserve System is devoted to all things having to do with the money supply and interest rates.
The Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development multi-governmental website is devoted to data and statistics regarding international trade and finance.
| Lexi Finnegan | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Title: | Faculty | |||||
| Phone: | 319-398-4938 | |||||
| Email: | lexi.finnegan@kirkwood.edu | |||||
| Office: | 2092 Cedar Hall | |||||
| Joshua Baker | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Title: | Faculty | |||||
| Phone: | 319-398-5725 | |||||
| Email: | joshua.baker@kirkwood.edu | |||||
| Office: | 1022 Cedar Hall | |||||
| Mitch Roose | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Title: | Faculty | |||||
| Phone: | 319-398-5796 | |||||
| Email: | mitch.roose@kirkwood.edu | |||||
| Office: | 1025 Cedar Hall | |||||