College

Title

Economics Department

Subtitle

Dive into the Economy and Discover Its Ripple Effects

Intro text

Studying economics provides you with a deeper insight into the intricacies of the economy and your role within it. The faculty in the Economics Department will encourage you to think critically and analytically, guiding you through various systems. This preparation will equip you for diverse career paths. Economics majors develop a comprehensive global viewpoint and strong analytical skills, which will prepare you for diverse career paths in fields such as business, government, education, law, and beyond.

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Intro Text

Majors and Minors in Economics

Students who study economics gain a broad global perspective and deep analytical skills that are valuable in careers in business, government, teaching, law, and more. Explore our programs and find the one that best aligns with your career goals.

Business Economics

Major

Economics

Major | Minor

Economics of Global Issues

Certificate

Meet the Faculty

Dr. Thomas Kemp

Economics Department

Department Chair

Professor

Dr. John Reardon

Economics Department

Senior Lecturer

Dr. Yan Li

Economics Department

Professor

Meet all the Economics Department faculty

Hallmarks

Collaborative Research

One of the factors that sets the UW-Eau Claire’s Economics Department apart from other universities is the amount of student-faculty collaborative research that takes place here. In economics, research is an opportunity to pursue special interests, present at state and national conferences, and set yourself apart for grad school or employment. Our skilled faculty are excited to collaborate with you on a real-world research project of interest to you.

Learn more about collaborative economics research

Students sit around a table and look at two monitors mounted on a wall in a student research room on campus

Student Research Space

Situated within the department, this donor-funded workspace is open for all Blugolds to utilize. The area features a computer capable of handling large data sets for research purposes, while the dual mounted TV screens are perfect for students preparing for symposium presentations.

Facts List

Student Opportunities

Internships

Through our internship program, you will gain direct, relevant experience in your chosen career path. In addition, our internships help create career networks and contacts in the field that often lead to job offers before graduation. our students are placed in a wide range of locations. From financial firms and insurance agencies to tech and manufacturing companies, we will find the right place for you to apply your classroom knowledge to the real-world workplace.

Examples of past internship placements:
Citizens Community Bank
City of Eau Claire
City of Chippewa Falls
Northwestern Bank
Marten Transport
MMX Management
Weir Minerals of North America
EMC Insurance
Eau Claire Area Convention and Visitors Bureau
Eau Claire Area Economic Development Corporation
Xcel Energy Corp
U.S. Bank
United Way of the Chippewa Valley
Western Dairyland Community Action Agency
Northwestern Mutual
Orgel Wealth Management

Scholarships

Your college degree is a large investment, and we know how seriously you take this financial responsibility. Fortunately for Blugolds interested in economics, there are several Foundation funds designated for econ students, so be sure to look at the criteria and application process for each. Some of these funds are in memory of alumni, others founded to honor faculty, but they all have the potential to help decrease your tuition bill. We thank the generous donors who make funding like this possible for Blugolds.
Examples of Economics Scholarships
Blugold Economics Scholarship
Economics Student Research Scholarship
Donald L. Ellickson Memorial Scholarship
Jeosef Gapko Economics Scholarship
Gerald and Mary Jacobson Economics Scholarship
Dr. Eric Jamelske and Dr. Thomas Kemp Economics Research Scholarship
Jerry Johnson Economics Scholarship
Harry Kaiser Scholarship
Thomas Lake Economics Student Scholarship for Collaborative Research
Lynne Oyen Scholarship
Mike Reinke Scholarship
Dr. Edward Young Scholarship

Learn more about economics scholarships.

Student Organizations

It's no secret that college students who become involved in student organizations tend to increase their success rates both in and out of the classroom. Students of economics at UW-Eau Claire have two student organizations to look into, and potentially make personal and professional connections that can last a lifetime.

Student Economics Association (SEA)
Omicron Delta Epsilon — ODE, International Honor Society in Economics

Learn more and join a student organization.

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Blugold Stories

Only at Eau Claire

Regents approve three new majors at UW-Eau Claire

UW-Eau Claire will offer three new majors in fall 2026, including one that is the only major of its kind at a public university in the Upper Midwest.

Only at Eau Claire

Academic Excellence

Studying econ at UWEC helped me understand how data, policy, and planning intersect to shape real-world outcomes. Through research, forecasting projects, and faculty mentorship, I found my niche and landed a job in urban planning before graduation.

Sarah Schrauth

Public Health and Economics

Class of 2025

Academic Excellence

A student and a professor pose and smile in front of a PowerPoint screen while presenting their research on well-being.

Learning in Action

Research and Policy

The research you do as a Blugold can expand beyond UWEC and make real change in the world. Economics professor Dr. Yan Li and student Brett Neumann recently studied the impact of unemployment on individual well-being in three countries. From their findings, they're offering policy recommendations to address a declining labor force and enhance well-being.

Learn more about research at UWEC

Learning in Action

Events List

How do I declare an economics major?

What is the difference between a Business Economics and Liberal Arts Economics degree?

A Business-Econ degree is a comprehensive major in economics consisting of the Basic Business Core in the College of Business plus additional economics courses. Completion of this major results in a Bachelor of Business Administration degree. A Liberal-Arts Econ degree requires a minor and results in either a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree. For more information, please consult the catalog.

Do I need to be good at math?

How many students are economics majors?

What courses should a new economics major take?

What economics graduate school opportunities exist?

A major or minor in economics at UW-Eau Claire provides a solid foundation for graduate study in many fields. Many of our graduates have gone on to successful careers in graduate school and exciting post-graduate professions. If you’re considering graduate school in any field, it’s important to talk to your advisor right away about the preparation you might need. You might need to take certain courses or pursue other opportunities at UW-Eau Claire to open the doors to the graduate program you would most enjoy. Your advisor can help you get an early start on this path.