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Bachelor of Science in Economics to Offer Students Attractive Concentrations from its Inception

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Academic Affairs division and College of Business optimistically anticipate the 2022-23 academic year as the long-respected Economics program establishes a Bachelor of Science degree.

Ferris State University’s Academic Affairs division and College of Business optimistically anticipate the 2022-23 academic year as the long-respected Economics program establishes a Bachelor of Science degree.

Associate Professor of Economics Alex Cartwright said their department now joins all other state-funded Michigan universities in providing this specialized learning in a BS format.

“The process to achieve approval from our Board of Trustees was more than a year in the making,” Cartwright said. “A minor in Economics has been available for several years. The coursework has been augmented so we can present a full curriculum to prospective students with academic rigor and excellence.”

Cartwright said not all Economics BS programs offered by Michigan universities affiliate with their respective business colleges. Accordingly, Cartwright believes Ferris will distinguish itself as a choice where students can pursue concentrations that align with their interests.

“We are extremely proud of the upper-level coursework in Economics we have established. With collaboration through the College of Arts, Sciences and Education, students can focus on political science, philosophy or the history of Economics,” Cartwright said. “The mix of liberal arts and sciences learning, matched with 21st-century business skills should be valuable to students who seek a broad-based, enriching academic experience.”

The hope is to enroll 25 students in the Economics bachelor’s program in its first year, building those ranks to more than 60 students by the 2024-25 academic year.

“Students who have invested in our Economics classes have already seen significant rewards,” Cartwright said. “Their successes include graduate school fellowships and gaining acceptance at leading colleges of law, thanks to their adding our minor to their degree. We can only anticipate results of this stature continuing and increasing with the development of the Bachelor of Science program.”

Cartwright added that the Economics faculty plan to expand their activities so they might engage potential students and promote scholarly learning.

“We are excited by the establishment of an Adam Smith Fellowship where students will benefit from reviewing classic writings on economics, allowing them to build greater understanding through a mentorship,” Cartwright said. “Our faculty will be engaged with Advanced Placement Economics instruction at high schools, delivered through virtual means, which we believe will be valuable in promoting the Ferris brand.”

He added, “Finally, an Economics Department blog will allow our faculty to write on national and international trends and developments, fostering greater awareness of the program.”