The Economics Department focuses on increasing students' understanding of economic principles and important issues that face consumers, business, and the national and international economy. Our major and minor programs in Economics cover core issues in a broad range of fields: international economics, urban economics, health economics, behavioral economics, and real estate, as well critical thinking, economic reasoning, and academic writing.
Enrolling in Courses
Each semester, the Department of Economics offers a range of courses to fulfill major, minor, business core and general education requirements, as well as a wide range of elective courses for both daytime and evening students.
Currently enrolled NEIU students who meet the prerequisites can enroll in any of our courses without declaring a major. Students requiring prerequisite verification should contact the department or faculty advisor for assistance; we can usually help you obtain authorization within one business day.
Becoming a Major
The Economics major or minor can be declared once you are a fully admitted student. To become an Economics major or minor, please complete and sign the Major Declaration Form and deliver to the department office in Room BBH 346C or one of our faculty members. You will then be assigned an advisor and should schedule an advising session as soon as possible to discuss the program and requirements.
For general Northeastern admission requirements, the Office of Admissions helps new and returning students through the application process. In addition, the Transfer Center assists transfer and veteran students with transitioning to our campus.
Earning your Degree
Our curriculum is organized along a common core of economic theory combined with five informal concentrations that take advantage of our faculty strengths and our Chicago location. These concentrations are:
- Urban Economics/Microeconomics
- Financial Economics/Macroeconomics
- Data Analysis
Each semester we offer at least one elective course in each area to help students focus their academic plan, but the informal nature of these tracks allows students the flexibility to mix and match classes to fit their own schedules and timelines.
Our course offerings are also designed to accommodate daytime and evening schedules. We rotate our required courses between day and evening times from one semester to the next, and offer a range of electives during the day and evening as well.
Advising
Your advisor will help you navigate through the required coursework and provide guidance on career or graduate school planning along the way. A list of advisors is below.
Students may choose their preferred advisor. Northeastern’s Academic Advising will also help you fulfill general education requirements.
Student Clubs
We host an active chapter of Omicron Delta Epsilon (ODE), an international Economics Honor Society. Our ODE chapter, Sigma, helps students engage with the department faculty in service and research, as well as build lasting friendships with each other. ODE has organized, hosted and contributed to events such as the Economics and Business Forum, the International Business Conference and MoneySmart Week. ODE honors our top students through a wonderful induction ceremony each year.
Careers and Grad Schools
We focus on providing students with tools for good decision-making across any environment, which means economics is good preparation for a wide range of careers. Some of our graduates have found careers at traditional places for Economics majors such as the Fed, Bureau of Labor Statistics, and retail banks, while others have made their way to NGOs, tech startups, and environmental non-profit groups. The American Economics Association has a video on careers and economics.
We have also placed students into master’s, J.D. and Ph.D. programs in Economics, Business Administration, Biostatistics, and International Affairs at places like University of Illinois at Chicago, Michigan, University of Chicago GSB, Harvard and Columbia.
Network Externalities
To keep up with the latest happenings with our students, faculty and alumni, please follow our Instagram account, join our Linkedin group or check in on our Department news page on this website. We will help keep you connected to our growing network of successful graduates and alumni.
