About Economics and Finance
Economics is a social science—it’s the study of how people and societies operate. Economists build models to explain why people behave the way they do and make the financial decisions they make. Therefore, while successful economists have a good head for numbers and sharp analytical skills, they are also very curious about people.
Degree Information
There are countless career opportunities available in the economics. Our economics majors are prepared for management positions in business, government, and nonprofit organizations. Some go on to pursue graduate studies in economics or another disciplines such as law or politics.
Job titles for economic and finance graduates may include:
- Auditor
- Aide to State Legislator
- Banker
- Budget Analyst
- Business Reporter
- Chief Financial Officer
- Compensation and Benefits Manager
- Cost Accountant
- Credit Analyst
- Economic Consultant
- Economics Educator
- Financial Consultant
- Insurance Agent
- Insurance Underwriter
- Lawyer
- Logistician
- Management Consultant
- Manufacturing Manager
- Market Research Analyst
- Mortgage Loan Officer
- Mutual Fund Manager
- Portfolio Manager
- Private Investment Counselor
- Professor
- Property Appraiser
- Real Estate Broker
- Retirement Specialist
- Risk Manager
- Sales Representative
- Securities Analyst
- Statistician
- Stockbroker
- Systems Analyst
- Teacher
Adirondack Cup: This is a collegiate stock-picking competition that allows undergraduate and graduate students from participating universities to maintain their own hypothetical small cap portfolio for six months. The portfolio with the best return wins.
Institutional Investor All America Student Analyst Competition: A collegiate stock-picking competition in which students trade fantasy stock portfolios and receive statistical feedback similar to what professional traders and analysts would see.
Center for Economic and Policy Studies: This center is an interdisciplinary center for researching policy challenges and policy options in the Great Lakes urban regions.
Omicron Delta Epsilon: The Buffalo State chapter of Omicron Delta Epsilon organizes guest lectures on important issues in economics and finance and helps economics majors network for career and graduate study opportunities.
As an institution, Buffalo State backs its commitment by putting substantial financial resources behind faculty-mentored undergraduate research. The Undergraduate Research Office promotes, supports, and funds undergraduate research in all academic areas—from the sciences to the arts—and for all committed students. More than 400 students present their research through posters and performances each year at the Student Research and Creativity Celebration. They also compete for Undergraduate Summer Research Fellowships, which support eight weeks of paid research activity.
The Economics and Finance Internship Program is designed to complement and enhance the department's classroom-based academic programs. Students not only gain "practical" experience related to their academic study, they also apply what has been learned in the classroom. This enables students to deepen their understanding and develop their own thinking and critical faculties.
A student can apply three credits of internship credit during his/her major. Past internship placements among our economics students include:
City of Buffalo
Morgan Stanley
AG Edwards Inc.
Raymond James Financial Services
M&T Bank
HSBC
Robshaw and Julian Associates
Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
"Learning how to forecast the direction of prices is an invaluable asset obtained from taking part of the Adirondack Cup."
"Our team is typically very diverse, giving students who may not have considered asset management a career path and access to a field that would welcome them with open arms."
Cutting-edge Courses
The academic offerings include such topical courses as Economics of the Environment, International Economics, and Women and Economics.
Small Class Size
Most classes for economics majors have fewer than 35 students, which allows for close interaction between faculty and students.
Stellar Faculty
Our award-winning faculty provide a broad range of economic views and are well-regarded in the field.
Advanced Technology
Students are educated in the use of a broad range of software used for academic research and by government and business.
Honors in Economics
There is an honors opportunity for qualifying students to work closely with a faculty member for two semesters, exploring a field-related area of interest.
