B.S. Applied Economics

The Applied Economics major prepares students to pursue careers that address real-world problems using data and economic principles. These problems come from a wide range of areas, such as world food problems, trade, environment and sustainability, inequality and poverty, and public health and public policy. Students are trained to critically weigh competing pieces of evidence, make sound decisions, and communicate their findings to a range of audiences. 

Because of the flexibility our major offers, students in APEC are encouraged to pursue minors in related fields in CFANS, CLA, CEHD, and other colleges at the University of Minnesota. For example, if you are interested in environmental and resource economics, you may be interested in a minor in Environmental Science, Policy and Management or Sustainability Studies (or both!). If you are interested in agricultural economics, you may want to pursue a minor in Agronomy or Animal Science. Interested in development? Try the minor in International Agriculture. These and other minors will give you a deep understanding of areas where economics can be fruitfully applied to identify, analyze, and solve pressing problems.

You may want to use your free electives to pursue additional skills in economic analysis, and this is possible within the Department of Applied Economics. With careful choices in your first few years, you will be able to take graduate-level courses in your senior year.

More information on the Applied Economics major is available on this information sheet (PDF).

Requirements

Find requirements for the APEC major in the University Catalog.