Economics

Undergraduate Program

Economics offers a flexible yet consistent framework for understanding key issues facing the economy and society—from globalization of international trade and finance to global warming. The major and minor in economics offer students an opportunity to learn the key elements of this framework and provide them with ample opportunities to apply it to a wide range of key economic issues. The Ph.D. program enriches the intellectual community in economics with opportunities for undergraduates to take advanced courses not typically available to undergraduate majors.

Since it first attempted to explain the growth and wealth of nations more than two hundred years ago, economics has evolved into a modern social science that combines a coherent analytical framework with careful analysis of information to understand how economies work and develop, and the consequences of economic policies and policy change. It applies the basic logic of individual choice and market forces to explore the tradeoffs inherent in addressing many of the key concerns on todays agenda: ensuring rising living standards in developed and developing countries, assessing the impacts of international trade, and identifying the wisest use of scarce environmental resources, among many others.

The major in economics builds on the expertise the student develops in the introductory courses. It combines a solid background in the core of economic analysis with a wide range of applied courses that investigate fields of economics and important topics. The capstone experience, honors program, internships and study abroad offer opportunities for majors to acquire research experience, apply economics in government or business and deepen their understanding of economic issues.

The economics major provides skills that are highly valued in a number of careers and graduate programs. The economics major emphasizes developing skills of careful thinking and analysis in combination with the application of those skills in practical settings. Law schools welcome the background economics provides in logical thinking. Government agencies and graduate programs in public policy or economics appreciate the systematic approach to understanding the economy offered by economics. Business schools and businesses find the facility the economics major acquires in analytical thinking and quantitative methods of analysis attractive.

For more information, please visit the Economics Departments website.

International students applying to Clark must submit their applications through the Common Application. Official transcripts covering the student’s prior three (full) years of education must be submitted by the student’s school. Two letters of recommendation are required, one from an academic teacher and one from a school counselor.

All applicants whose first language is not English are required to submit evidence of English proficiency either through the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or Duolingo, regardless of the length of time they have spent in the United States. The Certificate of Eligibility (Form I-20) necessary to obtain a student visa will be granted only after full admission and receipt of complete financial documentation (in the form of an official bank statement reflecting the student’s family’s financial resources).

To apply to a School of Professional Studies Bachelor of Science degree program, please submit the following:

• Completed online application
• Personal essay
• $75 non-refundable application fee (international students only)
• Official high school transcript or equivalent (unless high school completion is noted on a college transcript)
  • In lieu of a high school transcript, transfer students can submit an official copy of their domestic college transcript in combination with our Attestation Form.  This will waive the need for a high school transcript submission.)
• English proficiency exam scores. Required for international applicants whose native language is not English: TOEFL 80 | IELTS 6.5 | PTE 51.

If English is not your native language, you will need to submit an official TOEFL, Duolingo, or IELTS  score report. We do not have minimum scores for any test. We will consider your English proficiency holistically, based on your scores, transcript, essay, and letters of recommendation.

We strongly encourage all applicants to sit for an interview. This is especially important for applicants who do not speak English as a native language. Test scores only tell us so much; we want to give you the opportunity to tell your own story. Your options for an interview are:

• Email your admissions counselor to request a Skype interview with a current Clark student.
• Schedule an interview as part of a campus visit.
• Send us an interview from Vericant or InitialView.

If we determine that you are academically qualified to attend Clark, but could use additional language support, we will refer you to our English for Academic Success Program or Undergraduate Pathway Programs. Depending on your level of English proficiency, you would spend between one and four semesters in this program before joining the undergraduate degree program. You would not need to take the TOEFL or IELTS again after finishing the program.