Economics
About the Program
A major in economics will prepare students for employment in business and government. Economics is also an excellent major for students who plan on graduate study in law, business or any of the social sciences. A minor in economics is excellent for those who are majoring in any of the social sciences or business-related fields. ECON 201 and ECON 202 may be used to meet the social science elective.
Career Opportunities
A variety of careers are open to students who graduate with a Bachelor Degree in Economics including:
- Entry Level Manager
- Mid Level Manager
- Sales Manager
- Financial Analyst
- Financial Consultant
- Bank Manager
Program Available
Admission Procedures
All applicants are advised to see a counselor upon making application for entrance into the college.
MISSION SUCCESS
Students interested in a degree program need to participate in MISSION SUCCESS, an assessment, welcome and counseling program designed to assist you with entry to Southwestern.
COMPASS, a computerized assessment program designed to identify your skill levels in math, reading and language usage, is the first step in MISSION SUCCESS. Next, the welcome session provides you with information about the college, its resources and services. In the counseling session, you can discuss your academic needs and plans with a counselor. You will receive an interpretation of your assessment scores so that you can prepare to register for classes.
Admission to the program
The admission procedures for the Economics program are described fully in Southwestern's catalog and are in accordance with Illinois law.
Enrollment in Southwestern's Economics program is open to individuals who have earned a high school diploma; are transferring from another college or university or have earned a GED certificate.
Southwestern participates in the Illinois Articulation Initiative which guarantees that Southwestern students who successfully complete the requirements for an Associate in Science Degree with an economics emphasis will receive full credit for their courses when they transfer to most colleges and universities in the state of Illinois.
For more information about the Economics program or MISSION SUCCESS, contact a counselor at the Belleville Campus, (618) 235-2700, extension 5206; the Granite City Campus, (618) 931-0600; or the Red Bud Campus, (618) 282-6682.
Tuition and Financial Aid
For the current tuition rate, contact Southwestern's Counseling Office at (618) 235-2700, extension 5206. A student in the Economics program will spend about $3,000 in tuition to complete the two-year program. Textbooks and supplies will cost about $200 each semester. Lab fees are charged for classes in which equipment is used. Southwestern's tuition and fees are subject to change at any time.
Information about student scholarships, grants, loans and employment is available from the Office of Financial Aid and Student Employment.
Workforce Investment Act funding, formerly known as Job Training Partnership Act, also may be available to qualified students. For information, contact the Center for Training Innovations at
(618) 235-2700, extension 5286.
Graduation Requirements
If you want to pursue a Bachelor's Degree in Economics, you are strongly encouraged to seek an Associate in Science Degree with an Economics emphasis. This will allow you to receive full credit for your coursework when you transfer through the Illinois Articulation Initiative. The nature and purpose of the Illinois Articulation Initiative is described in detail in Southwestern's catalog.
An Associate in Science Degree normally is awarded to students who successfully complete at least 64 semester hours of courses. The basic course requirements and the options that satisfy these requirements are described in Southwestern's catalog.
However, the specific number of hours you must take depends on your educational background and individual circumstances. If you are required to take prerequisite courses, this will add to the required number of hours. Because of such variations, it is necessary for you to meet with an academic counselor to ensure that all requirements are satisfied.
It is the policy of Southwestern Illinois College to grant equal educational opportunity to all qualified persons without regard to race, creed, color, sex, religion, national origin/ancestry, disability, sexual preference, or age. All academic, extracurricular, research and other educational programs and activities are non-discriminatory.