I took Introduction to Economics with Prof. Kimberly Clausing my freshman year. It was a very difficult class for me and I was ready to reconsider my major. Prof. Clausing handed me her economics textbook and asked me to practice some assigned problems and go to her if I needed any help. I remember being surprised that she believed in me more than I believed in myself, but that genuinely was one of the most influential moments in my life. She also taught me to see economics as the study of resources, not just money.
What You’ll Study in the Bachelor’s Degree in Economics
Study how individuals and societies allocate resources with the economics major from Reed College. The economics department also offers a strong foundation in economic principles and analytical skills, and you can even take a quantitative track if you want more experience in more applied aspects of economics. Be ready for a career in economics, finance, policy analysis, and beyond with a BA in economics from Reed.
Roadmap to the BA in Economics at Reed
Study economic theories and their policy implications as an economics major at Reed. Go beyond classroom learning with hands–on research and study abroad opportunities. Combine your knowledge and expertise to craft a senior thesis that shows your readiness for postgraduate studies or a successful career in economics.
Year One
Explore the Foundations
Understand the analytical approaches and tools of the economics discipline through our fundamentals course, Introduction to Economic Analysis. Learn directly from our faculty—not graduate assistants—who guide classes with real-world insights.
Take mathematics courses that set you up for success in advanced economics studies, including Calculus (if you did not study it in high school) and Introduction to Probability and Statistics.
Finally, enroll in Humanities 110. This distinctive program for all first-year Reedies crosses academic disciplines to examine how humans have lived throughout history, fostering critical thinking skills that are invaluable throughout your journey at Reed and beyond.
Year Two
Engage in Hands-on Experiences
Dive deeper into economics with required 300-level courses, such as Microeconomic Theory and Macroeconomic Theory. You can also choose from advanced electives, such as Game Theory and International Monetary Systems.
Sophomore year is a great time to start looking into research opportunities. Reed College provides funded opportunities for you to undertake individual research, conduct collaborative work with faculty, or engage in policy or public service work. The economics department also provides Economics Internship Awards to support unpaid internship opportunities.
Year Three
Embrace Global Perspectives
Follow your interests during your junior year by taking two or three economics electives like Jobs, Technology, and Trade and Law and Economics. Enroll in an econometrics class to study empirical or statistical methods used in economic research.
All of these courses prepare you for your junior qualifying examination. This milestone tests whether you have the knowledge and skills to complete your senior thesis.
Consider studying abroad during your junior year. Our partner programs include the London School of Economics and Trinity College Dublin. You can also consider programs in other countries if you have foreign language proficiency.
Year Four
Showcase Your Knowledge
In your last year, take your final economics courses and prepare for your senior thesis. In this culminating project, ask a central question within the field of economics and attempt to answer it, either by synthesizing different works or conducting your own research. In other words, the senior thesis demonstrates that you can use the tools, research skills, and reasoning abilities you have built while at Reed. View past thesis topics.
Why Study Economics at Reed College?
Add a Concentration in Quantitative Economics
Gain the knowledge you need to tackle economic questions using data-driven approaches. Our concentration in quantitative economics prepares you for advanced data analysis and statistical modeling.
Work with Real-World Statistical and Econometric Software
Have access to industry-standard statistical software. Our economics department offers hands-on experience with Stata, a program used by quantitative researchers across various disciplines. Develop essential data analysis and modeling skills by gaining proficiency in Stata.
Reed also provides you with diverse data resources through Data @ Reed, where staff help you find and access the data you need—from analysis to visualization—for class projects and your senior thesis.
View Resources for Economics Majors
My Favorite Courses
Shisham Adhikari ’21
Economics-Mathematics
Florence Randari ’17
Economics
Development Economics with Prof. Denise Hare introduced me to the concept of experimental economics. I never knew that economists could actually go into the lab and perform experiments that would provide insights on how to solve different problems.
Daniel Kugler ’16
History
Urban Economics with Prof. Jon Rork revealed a new way of seeing everything, from the houses and people I passed on a walk to whole neighborhoods and towns I drove through. It made me question key factors that shape our society and how those factors could become levers for improvement. The classes in the economics department have been my favorite because they totally rearrange how you see the world.
Careers for BA in Economics Graduates
Reed’s economics majors are well prepared for many postgraduate paths, including academics, public policy, law, business, and nonprofits. Current careers of alumni include the following:
- Analyst, NERA Economic Consulting
- Associate consultant, Bain & Company
- Executive director, Family Farm Defenders
- Economist, Federal Reserve Board of Governors
- Human capital management analyst, Goldman Sachs
- Professor of political science, Johns Hopkins University
- Research analyst, Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia
- Senior analyst, ECONorthwest
Achievements of Economics Alumni
Our economics students have been recognized for their scholarship, leading to fellowships and other opportunities in school and beyond. Here is a list of some of their accomplishments:
- Maxwell J.D. VanLandschoot ‘22, Schwarzman Scholar
- Shisham Adhikari ‘21, Gerald M. Meier Award for Distinction in Economics
- Gio Ramirez ’20, Thomas J. Watson Fellow
- Ashlee Fox ’19, Harry S. Truman Scholarship
- Kiara Piazza ’19, President’s Summer Fellowship
- Florence Randari ’17, President’s Summer Fellowship
- John E. Peck ’88, Thomas J. Watson Fellow
- Adam Penenberg ’86, Thomas J. Watson Fellow
Apply for the Financial Services Fellowship
Get a close-up look at the world of investment professionals and hedge fund managers through Reed’s Financial Services Fellowship. Shadow professionals in the workplace and tour a trading floor during this spring break opportunity.
