ChooseWhy Choose This Program?
Why Study Economics at Goucher?
Our economics program is unique among most undergraduate economics programs in that we require two econometrics courses as part of our major, and one econometrics course as part of our minor. Many undergraduate economics programs do not require econometrics for either the major or minor. We choose to emphasize econometrics in our program to provide our students with the quantitative and critical thinking skills necessary to thrive in a data-driven world.
We are a STEM certified program and our CIP code is 45.0603. Read more
LearnWhat Will You Learn?
What Will You Learn?
The economics course 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.
Our faculty research and teach a wide variety of topics including inequality, environmental sustainability, and social justice, all of which are all complex, pressing moral issues that have substantial economic components. Economics is the only discipline whose origin and mission is to understand the market system – both how it works and when it does not, as well as the efficacy of policies to promote more desirable societal outcomes. To that end, our economics curriculum develops the critical and analytical skills necessary to provide theoretical and empirical frameworks for tackling society’s complex problems. Learn More
DoWhat Can You Do With this Degree?
What Can You Do With this Degree?
After their study of economics at Goucher, our students are well-prepared to enter either the workforce or graduate school upon graduation. Recent graduate job placements in governmental organizations include the Congressional Budget Office, the Department of Defense, and the National Science Foundation. Students interested in the financial services sector have been employed by BlackRock, Morgan Stanley, and Greenspring Advisors. Our recent graduates include two students who have pursued a Master in Economics at Georgetown University, one pursuing a Master in Data Science from Duke University, and one pursuing a Master in Data Science from Harvard University. Additionally, one of our students who graduated in 2021 is pursuing a Ph.D. in Economics at the University of Delaware. We have also successfully placed students in top law schools, including Cornell University and the University of Virginia.
Some of our students also pursue 4 + 1 degrees at Johns Hopkins University and Loyola University.
Course Curriculum
Economics Major Economics Minor Courses
This program is available in an accelerated 3-year degree. View the course mapping (PDF).
Faculty
Department Chair
Gina Shamshak, Professor of Economics: Applied microeconomics, environmental and natural resource economics
Economics 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, Associate Professor of Economics: Applied microeconomics, public economics, urban economics, criminal behavior, education policy
Chimee Zorigtbaatar, Assistant Professor of Economics: Health, development, and labor economics
Professor Emerita
Lydia Harris, Emerita Professor of Economics: Applied microeconomics
Study Abroad
Goucher economics students gain a global perspective that enhances their economics 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. For more details about pursuing a senior thesis read the Senior Thesis Guidelines. 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
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.”