ChooseWhy Choose This Program?
Why Study Economics at Goucher?
Students learn the skills needed to study shortages and rationing, exchange rates and speculation, inflation and recession, and monopoly and competition, as well as such social and political issues as pollution, energy, airport congestion, mass transit, the delivery of medical care, and even the personal choice of career and lifestyle. Economic theory clarifies and systematizes thinking on these matters, and a liberal arts curriculum trains students in the use of analytical tools. Read more
LearnWhat Will You Learn?
What Will You Learn?
The economics curriculum exposes students to the intellectual, historical, and institutional context of the discipline, integrating their study of economics with their liberal arts education as a whole. Economics courses train students to think analytically about economic and social problems and rationally about personal, public, and business decisions. Economics consists of a structured body of analytical principles that equip the student with a logical, consistent approach both to the great issues of our time and to the everyday choices that confront consumers, political leaders, businesses, and all individuals. Learn More
DoWhat Will You Do?
What Will You Do?
Our students have interned at organizations such as the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, and, after graduation, many attend top graduate programs, such as the London School of Economics. Although our economics majors usually find careers in business, they are also successful in law, medicine, government, nonprofits, international relations, and academia.
Course Curriculum
Faculty
Major & Minor Program Coordinator
Gina Shamshak, Professor of Economics: Applied microeconomics, environmental and natural resource
economics
Full-Time & Half-Time Faculty
Margaret Bock, Assistant Professor of Economics: urban/regional economics, public economics, transportation
Gina Shamshak, Professor of Economics: Applied microeconomics, environmental and natural resource economics
Asha Shepard, Assistant Professor of Economics: Applied microeconomics, public economics, urban economics, criminal behavior, education policy
Professor Emerita
Lydia Harris, Emerita Professor of Economics: Applied microeconomics
Study Abroad
Goucher economics students gain a global perspective that enhances their course of study. Students may choose three-week intensive courses led by Goucher faculty or semester programs suited to their academic plans. Listed below are programs that economics majors or minors have chosen in the past.
Visit the Office of Global Education website for more information about these and other programs.
University of East Anglia (Norwich, United Kingdom)
The following courses at UEA are equivalent to Goucher College economics courses:
UEA Courses |
Goucher Courses |
| ECO-1A06: Quantitative Methods | EC 206: Economic Statistics |
| ECO-2A05C: Principles of Macroeconomics | EC 217: Intermediate Macroeconomics |
| ECO-2A07C: Principles of Microeconomics | EC 216: Intermediate Microeconomics |
| ECO-2A11C: The European Economy (coursework only) | 200-Level Elective Credit |
Danish Institute for Study Abroad (Copenhagen, Denmark)
The following courses at DIS are equivalent to Goucher College economics courses:
DIS Courses |
Goucher Courses |
| Economic Theories of Globalization | 200-Level Elective Credit |
| Transition Economics: Chinese and Russian Reform Strategies | 200-Level Elective Credit |
| Economics of Sports | 200-Level Elective Credit |
Macquarie University (Sydney, Australia)
The following courses at Macquarie are equivalent to Goucher College economics courses:
Macquarie Courses |
Goucher Courses |
| EC 141: Introductory Econometrics | EC 320: Econometrics |
| EC 235: Economic Development | 200-Level Elective Credit |
| EC 240: Labour Market Economics | 200-Level Elective Credit |
University of Cork (Cork, Ireland)
The following courses at UCC are equivalent to Goucher College economics courses:
UCC Courses |
Goucher Courses |
| EC 3121: Econometrics | EC 320: Econometrics |
| EC 2151: Economics of Social Policy | 200-Level Elective Credit |
| EC 4171: Economics of Integration-Europe | 200-Level Elective Credit |
| EC 3202: International Money and Finance | 200-Level Elective Credit |
Yonsei University (Seoul, Korea)
The following courses at Yonsei University are equivalent to Goucher College economics courses:
Yonsei Courses |
Goucher Courses |
| ISM 4804: Economic Development | 200-Level Elective Credit |
Opportunities & Internships
Research Opportunities
Senior Thesis
Students have the option of completing a year-long senior thesis. The senior thesis is the product of scholarly or scientific research or artistic work of high academic quality. Senior thesis work carries eight credits and ordinarily involves two sequential courses of four semester credit hours each, directed by a faculty advisor selected by the student. Click here for more details about pursuing a senior thesis. Examples of past theses:
- Explaining Students’ Decisions: The Impact of Socioeconomic Status on College Enrollment
- Labour Transition in 21st Century American Economy
Independent Study Research Opportunities
Students have the opportunity to conduct research during the academic year through
independent study projects. Examples of past projects include:
- Blue crabs: Their management and their future in the Chesapeake Bay
- The Economic Forces behind a Structural Change in the US Agricultural Industry
- The Economics of Baltimore Food Systems
The Economics of Farm Sustainability - Development and analysis of hydroponic food production at Goucher College
- Optimizing hydroponic lettuce production at Goucher College
- A Practical Introduction to Aquaponics
Honors & Awards
Click here to learn more about Economics honors and awards.
Internships
Internships help students explore possibilities, apply classroom learning, and gain experience. Explore internships and credit options.
The economics faculty members consider well-structured internships to be essential to a student's education. The department sponsors both full- and part-time internships in industry, banks, and government agencies. Most internships are in the Baltimore-Washington area. The variety of internships that have been completed under the supervision of this department is evidence of the flexible and creative applicability of degrees in economics.
Student Employment
Student employment connects students to both on and off-campus opportunities. The Career Education Office provides resources and support to students with or without Federal Work Study to find jobs, submit applications, and learn more about the job search process. Students have access to Handshake — a website for job postings, events, resumes/cover letters, and career management.
Major & Career Exploration
Exploring career options, choosing a major, and making career decisions is a multi-step process in which all students are encouraged to engage early and often. Goucher students have a variety of resources available through the Majors and Career page to assist them in this process.
Job Search
A Goucher education prepares students for today’s job market and beyond. Students can explore job opportunities and access job search resources through the CEO Job Search page.
Graduate & Professional School
Students access resources for searching and applying to graduate and professional school through the CEO Graduate and Professional School page, through faculty and staff members, or utilizing their own resources, network and tools.
Johns Hopkins Carey Business School 4+1 BA/MS Program
Goucher College and Johns Hopkins Carey Business School are offering Goucher students a combined bachelor’s and master’s degree program. This 4+1 program combines a bachelor’s degree from Goucher with a master of science degree from Johns Hopkins in business analytics and risk management, information systems, health care management, finance, or marketing. Students can apply during their junior year. GRE or GMAT tests have been waived but applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25 or better and have passed some quantitative reasoning courses with a grade of B or better.
Alumni Spotlight
Billy Daly ’16
Billy Daly ’16
Read My Story“Try everything, fail most of it, quit the rest, and then find that one thing (or two...or three) that really makes your heart pound and gets your adrenaline pumping.”