Economics

Economics is often thought of as a highly abstract subject, but for economics majors at Transylvania University in Lexington, Kentucky, the application of economic theories in the real world is an important part of the learning process toward an economics degree.

What I really want my students to get from studying economics is power. Through a greater understanding of what’s going on around them, I hope to give them confidence that they can understand the world and become involved.

Geoffrey F. Williams, assistant professor of economics

You’ll study how households make decisions about jobs, spending and saving and how businesses make decisions about production and pricing. You’ll also learn how goods are produced and distributed, how pricing affects markets and how law and technology affect labor and capital. 

Our economics students regularly conduct research with support from Transylvania’s faculty and student enrichment fund and present their findings at conferences. Their work has been recognized with awards from the Kentucky Economics Association and publication in the Journal of Applied Economics and Policy. 

Because economics touches every aspect of business and social science, there is a great demand for well-trained professionals in this field. Economists are employed by business firms for corporate planning and by financial firms, such as banks and brokers, for analysis and research. In the government sector, economists are hired to determine the need for, and results of, public policies. Many students of economics earn advanced degrees, teach and conduct research at universities.

Transylvania students have frequent opportunities to learn about foreign economic systems through travel courses. In recent years, students have studied international business in Germany, global economy issues in Costa Rica, the industrial revolution in the United Kingdom, environmental issues in the Philippines and government policy in Turkey. 

Where Our Graduates Have Worked

AT&T
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)
IBM
Lexmark
Microsoft
Tax Foundation
Toyota Motor Manufacturing USA, Inc.
USAID Government Agency

Opportunities in the Major

Omicron Delta Epsilon (economics honorary)
Faculty/student summer research

Internships our Students Have Completed

Merrill LynchMorgan StanleyHilliard Lyons

Courses of Special Interest

Econometrics
Money and Banking
Public Finance
International Trade and Finance
History of Economic Thought

Where Our Graduates Have Studied

Harvard University
DePaul University College of Law
Emory University
Georgetown University
George Washington University
Texas A&M University
University of Dayton
Vanderbilt University
University of Kentucky
University of Louisville
University of Memphis
University of Illinois

Possible Career Options

Attorney
College Professor
Company CEO
Corporate consultant
Government economist
Healthcare administration

Semester Study Abroad Opportunities

Australia I
Australia II
Austria
Colombia
Fiji
Greece
Italy
New Zealand
Scotland
South Korea
Sweden
Switzerland

These GlobalTransy programs have at least two courses related to the major.

Interested in studying abroad for a summer? Take a look at our summer study abroad opportunities.

Contacts

Geoffrey Williams
Professor of Economics, Program Director

Stephanie Coriale
Social Sciences Administrative Assistant

Transylvania University
210 Cowgill Center for Business, Economics, and Education
300 North Broadway
Lexington, KY
40508-1797

Phone: 859-233-8104

More Information