Degree/Program Title: Economics - Public Policy Emphasis (BBA)

Sponsor(s): Tom Schweigert, Mark Skidmore, Sandra Snow

Department(s): Economics

College(s): College of Business and Economics
 

Effective Term: Fall 2001
 

Check if:

______		New Degree: Intent to Plan
______		New Degree: Final Proposal
______		New Major: Intent to Plan
______		New Major: Final Proposal
______		New Submajor: Minor
__X___	New Submajor: Emphasis/Track
______	New Submajor: Certificate Program
______	Module: Intent to Plan
______	Module: Final Proposal
______	Other ___________________

Submit the Proposal (see Procedures)

Economics and Public Policy Emphasis: This emphasis is for those seeking a career in government: in the civil service: as an elected official. Also careers involving the formulation of public policy through organizations as diverse as trade associations and nonprofit organizations. An Emphasis in Economics and Public Policy requires the student to complete:

1. a) complete the following:


ECON 301 (Intermediate Microeconomics)
ECON 302 (Intermediate Macroeconomics)
ECON 345 (Business Statistics II)
 

2. complete 12 credits from the following:


ECON 324 (Cooperatives)
ECON 341 (Government and Business)
ECON 345 (Business Statistics II)
ECON 353 (Economics of Labor Markets and Labor Policies)
ECON 356 (Public Finance)
ECON 438 (Urban, Regional, and Transport Economics)
ECON 445 (Economics of Health Care)
ECON 471 (Natural Resource and Environmental Economics)
ECON 493 (Internship in Economics)
 

3. unique major requirement of 6 credits from the following:


PSCI 330 (Public Policy Analysis)
PSCI 344 (State and Local Government)
GEOG 340 (Economic Geography)
GEOG 350 (Regional Analysis and Policy)
GEOG 440 (Politics of Government Budgeting)
 

Other Programs Affected and Resource Requirements:
There may be a slight increase in enrollment in Political Science and Geography. However, any effects are likely to be small this Emphasis constitutes one among three and we offer a general degree in Economics. Therefore, any impact in terms of course load in these areas is likely to be insignificant. No other additional resource requirements are expected from this change.

Goals and Learning Objective of the Program:
The primary objective of formalizing our Emphasis in Economic and Public Policy Analysis is to enhance the marketability of our majors in the public and nonprofit sectors. Currently, the Emphasis is informal and thus students do not receive any certification of this track. Formalizing the Emphases enables students to present potential employers with evidence of this course of training.

The Emphasis has also been enhanced in several ways. First, we eliminate several courses that are not closely related to public policy analysis and add several others (including some courses outside our major) to provide greater opportunities for students to develop policy-oriented analytical skills.

Student Need/Demand:
The Economic Department is making several changes to its curriculum. As a result of discussions with the Economics Advisory Board and the Dean, the Department has as an action item to develop several Emphases. The purpose of the Emphases is to demonstrate relevance and applicability of Economics in a variety of career tracks and thus better serve the UW-Whitewater student body.

Relationship to Mission of Institution:
The mission statement for the Economics Department states that a primary objective is to "strive to achieve excellence in teaching…" The above changes reflect our desire to improve the quality of education and increase the career opportunities available to our majors.

The proposed change formalizes the Emphasis creates a focus on "Economic and Public Policy Analysis."

Note: Geography and Geology Department consulted - Approved
          Political Sciences Department consulted - Approved