Bachelor of Arts in Financial Economics

The program curriculum focuses on

• the role of financial economics within financial institutions, industry and government
• international finance and how it relates to the U.S. economy
• basic economic models and theories
• application of basic moral and ethical principles in the analysis of economic systems and issues

The program consists of 30 credit hours in Economics with the remaining BA credit hours in other academic disciplines, in addition to the UDM Core Curriculum requirement (18 credit hours for transfer students completing the Skill Specific Certificate in Accounting/Finance from MCC). A number of the requirements and elective Economics courses in the program are approved for Teacher's Certification by the State Board of Education.

UDM's Economics courses maintain long-standing approval by the AACSB International: The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business—the premiere accrediting agency for BA, MA, MBA, and doctoral programs in business.

Career Options

The Financial Economics major will prepare you for a career in industry, financial and non-profit institutions, or in various levels of government. The degree also will focus on careers in the rapidly emerging international sector of the economy. In addition, the degree targets one of the fastest growing employment sectors in the economy. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, the "overall employment of financial analysts and personal financial advisors is expected to increase faster than average for any occupations through 2014, resulting from increased investments by businesses and individuals." Globalization of the securities markets and deregulation of the financial services industry will also increase the demand for financial analysts and personal financial advisors.

Course Delivery

To provide greater convenience and flexibility, courses will be available in different delivery options:

• traditional day and evening in-classroom format
• online courses in seven-week format (two per semester)
• one-week, intensive courses using in-classroom format

The program is offered at University Center at Macomb Community College in Clinton Township.

Pre-requisite and Admissions Requirements

In order to be admitted to the undergraduate Financial Economics program, you must meet entrance requirements of University of Detroit Mercy. Transfer students must have a minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.0.

Degree Requirements

To obtain an undergraduate degree, you must successfully complete the University's Core Curriculum (approximately 15-20 courses outside of a student's major that are designed to ensure a well-rounded education) and all designated major program courses.

A minimum of 126 total credit hours is required for graduation. A minimum 2.0 GPA must be maintained, although students should be aware that admission to graduate programs usually requires a minimum 3.0 GPA for undergraduate course work.

For MCC Transfer Students:
For students who have earned an associate degree from Macomb Community College, equivalent MCC classes meet core curriculum requirements at the 100 and 200 levels. For students who have completed Macomb Community College's Skill Specific Certificate in Accounting/Finance, 13 credit hours will transfer toward UDM's Financial Economics undergraduate major. The Macomb Community College Equivalency Guide Core Curriculum Requirements for UDM College of Liberal Arts & Education is available online.

Students who take MCC classes after admission to UDM complete a guest pass application each semester. Twenty-four credits from MCC are allowed, in addition to the 63 credits earned for the associate degree, using the guest pass procedure.

Curriculum

Students will complete the following courses for a total of 30 credits, in addition to the UDM Core Curriculum.

• ECN 2950
  Microeconomic Principles 3 cr.
  (ECON 1170*)
• ECN 2960
  Macroeconomic Principles 3 cr.
  (ECON 1160*)
• ECN 3050
  Money and the Financial System 3 cr.
• ECN 3150
  Intermediate Microeconomics 3 cr.
• ECN 3160
  Intermediate Macroeconomics 3cr.
• ECN 3580
  Money and the Capital Markets 3 cr.
• ECN 4400
  Economics of the Public Sector 3 cr.
• ECN 4660
  International Finance 3 cr.

Electives

Two courses required from the following:

• ECN 3070
  Business Economics Analysis 3 cr.
  (FINC 1010*)
• ECN 3130
  Capital and Interest 3 cr.
• ECN 3310
  Econ. Analysis of Financial Resources 3 cr.
• ECN 3470
  Economic Development 3 cr.
• ECN 3480
  Business Forecasting 3 cr.
  (BUSN 1010*)
• ECN 3550
  Classical Ideas in Economics 3cr.
• ECN 3760
  Monetary and Fiscal Policy 3 cr.
• ECN 3850
  Comparative Economic System 3 cr.
• ECN 4150
  Introduction to Econometrics 3 cr.
• ECN 4520
  Seminar in Market Economics 3 cr.
• ECN 4640
  Practical Issues in Financial Economics 3 cr.
• STA 2250
  Statistics 3 cr.
  (MATH 1340*)

*Courses transferable from Macomb County Community College

For course descriptions, please view the online catalog at www.udmercy.edu/catalog.

Faculty

UDM's Economics faculty have significant academic experience as well as practical experience in the world of finance, economics and business. Specific areas of expertise include international and resource economics, financial institutions and public policy, and economic theory. The Economics department consists of four faculty members with the addition of adjunct faculty when needed.