David A. Renelt Award
The David A. Renelt Award honors one outstanding rising senior economics major who best exemplifies the traits of growing intellectual curiosity, high ethical principles, enduring spiritual devotion and endearing congeniality.
Bachelor of Science in Economics - International Economics
We must tackle important economic questions from multiple perspectives as our society becomes more diverse. The economics degree with a concentration in international economics at the University of St. Thomas develops your analytical and critical thinking abilities in the modern workplace while enhancing your cultural competencies to help you navigate the complexities of international economics.
Why Study Economics at St. Thomas?
Our program offers a breadth of courses focusing on topics ranging from country studies to international trade. We teach our students to develop not only the quantitative skills they need to understand the information they work with, but also the qualitative skills to communicate across cultures to make important decisions.
Well-Rounded and Prepared
Course Requirements
You take foundational courses in economic theory and analysis, and develop your quantitative skills with courses in math and statistics along the way. Additional economics courses explore topics like growth and development, international trade and finance. You pick electives based on what piques your interest too. The major requires a minor in a foreign language and/or a significant study abroad experience as well.
Four-Year Plan
You start out by focusing on macro and microeconomics, the foundational principles of economics. From there, you have the freedom to choose courses based on your personal interests.
Other Economics Degrees Awarded
Internships
Local companies and organizations actively recruit economics majors at St. Thomas for internships, some of which have offered interns full-time employment after graduation. These include Medtronic, Target, General Mills, Allianz, Dorsey & Whitney, Merrill Lynch, and U.S. Bank as well government agencies like the U.S. Treasury and the Minnesota Department of Revenue. The Department of Economics forwards opportunities sent by alumni at these companies to current economics students!
Tutoring
The Department of Economics offers student tutoring services to any student in a Principles of Economics course. These tutoring options are complementary and done on a drop-in basis.
Course Requiremens
Course Requirements
You take foundational courses in economic theory and analysis, and develop your quantitative skills with courses in math and statistics along the way. Additional economics courses explore topics like growth and development, international trade and finance. You pick electives based on what piques your interest too. The major requires a minor in a foreign language and/or a significant study abroad experience as well.
Four-Year Plan
Four-Year Plan
You start out by focusing on macro and microeconomics, the foundational principles of economics. From there, you have the freedom to choose courses based on your personal interests.
Other Economics Degrees Awarded
Other Economics Degrees Awarded
Internships
Internships
Local companies and organizations actively recruit economics majors at St. Thomas for internships, some of which have offered interns full-time employment after graduation. These include Medtronic, Target, General Mills, Allianz, Dorsey & Whitney, Merrill Lynch, and U.S. Bank as well government agencies like the U.S. Treasury and the Minnesota Department of Revenue. The Department of Economics forwards opportunities sent by alumni at these companies to current economics students!
Tutoring
Tutoring
The Department of Economics offers student tutoring services to any student in a Principles of Economics course. These tutoring options are complementary and done on a drop-in basis.
Expand Your Mind — And Horizons
Our program challenges you to tackle economic issues from different cultural lenses. Our faculty, students and alumni use their knowledge and skills every day inside and outside of the classroom.
Anna Starks '19
Anna pursued a double major in economics and political science, along with a minor in French. She served as a Foreign Service Intern for the U.S. Department of State during the summer of 2018. Her experience followed study abroad opportunities in France, Morocco and Belgium. She is president of the Foreign Affairs Club, a member of the Model UN team and winner of the 2018 David A. Renelt Award.
José Munne Cacares '17
José uses his economics and international studies double major as a Commercial Intelligence Analyst for the Ministry of Industry and Commerce in the Dominican Republic. He monitors foreign trade media, analyzing data and creating reports for the Dominican Republic’s decision makers. José was captain of the Model UN team, president of the Foreign Affairs Club and won the 2017 Global Citizenship Award while he was at St. Thomas.
Dr. Tyler Schipper
Dr. Schipper is a dedicated teacher and scholar focusing on international macroeconomics, studying the role of informal firms operating without legal registration in developing economies. He recently attended an OECD-sponsored conference in Argentina and another in Colombia to share his expertise with fellow scholars and policymakers. His passion for economic research leads him to include students in his work, mentoring them as they conduct their own research.
Career Paths
We give you the tools to analyze complex situations and make informed decisions, whether it is in the workplace or graduate school. Here are a few paths our alumni pursued after graduating.
- Business Analyst – Target
- Research Analyst – World Bank
- Master of Science in Applied Economics – University of Minnesota
- Foreign office or branches of American multinationals like 3M and Apple
- Master of Global Affairs with a concentration in Sustainable Development – University of Notre Dame
- Commercial Intelligence Analyst for the Office for Administration of Foreign Trade Treaties – Ministry of Industry and Commerce (Dominican Republic)
Scholarships
Economics Young Scholars
We solicit proposals from students pursuing undergraduate economics research projects and provide generous financial support. In addition, we offer limited financial assistance to students applying for graduate study in economics to help cover some of the costs of GRE fees, application fees and campus visit expenses.
MinneAnalytics Scholarship
This annual scholarship sponsored by MinneAnalytics is awarded to an undergrad student who display a passion for pursuing a career in analytics and a commitment to engaging with the community.
Find Your Path
15
We have 15 dedicated faculty with a variety of expertise and strong interest in working with students.
$109K
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, the median annual salary earned by economists in 2020 was $109,000.
Top 10
Economics is one of the best college majors according to Princeton Review.
Faculty With Real Dedication
Dr. Luz Saavedra
Dr. Saavedra previously worked for the Central Bank of Colombia and is currently researching the role of immigration in international trade.
Dr. Tyler Schipper
Dr. Schipper studies informal markets in the developing world. He presented his research at an OECD conference for academics and policymakers.
Dr. Hong Wu
Dr. Wu researches asset pricing, exchange rates and the transformation of the Chinese economy. She co-leads a study abroad course to China as well.
Get Involved
Research, student-run clubs and conferences—the possibilities are endless for getting involved at the university and beyond.
Our faculty are active researchers focusing on a variety of fields. They win government grants, are featured in the New York Times, publish in leading journals and present at global conferences.
The Economics Club facilitates economic exploration outside of the classroom. Activities include professionals presenting on how they use economics in their careers, and faculty discussing current economic events like tax reform.
We support students as they pursue research. There is financial assistance for engaging in research and presenting results at conferences. Faculty include students in their projects as research assistants or collaborators.
A Global Perspective
Economics students have numerous opportunities to interact with passionate faculty, engaged peers and a larger community focusing on addressing big problems around the world.
Explore the World
Our study abroad offerings analyze economic issues in a number of countries, including Australia, Botswana, China and Northern Ireland. We offer J-term courses, as well as embedded international travel during the semester over spring break.
Put Your Skills to the Test
Our annual DataCom competition is one way you can work with data and engage in economic research. We provide a data set for you to use in the development and testing of various hypotheses. The top teams win prize money!
Making a Difference Locally
Students and faculty apply economic skills to advance the common good through a variety of courses, collaborating with the city of Delano, Metro Transit and the PLACE organization to improve the services helping people’s lives.
Get Connected
Our LinkedIn and Facebook pages, annual alumni panels and other alumni-faculty communication keep us connected to our valued graduates. In return, our alumni engage with current students and help future generations of Tommies.
Engaging With Your Peers and Faculty
Our annual Chili Fest sees the faculty become chefs, while students are judges of their creations. We also say goodbye to our seniors with a Senior Send-Off Bowling event each year.
Practical Experiences
Economics students at St. Thomas have access to a diverse array of opportunities inside and outside of the classroom through research, competitions, dedicated faculty and more. Students use their skills and knowledge to make an impact in their communities every day.
Take the Next Step
There is more to learn about St. Thomas; including our ranking as a Best Value School by U.S. News & World Report, the many classroom and extracurricular activities that will be part of your student experience and so much more. Schedule a visit to see our beautiful campus or start your application today.