Economics (AA)
Program Overview:
Follow the Money with a Degree in Economics
Use your knowledge of our free-market economy to ensure business efficiencies. Be an asset to your employer as you study supply and demand and competitive pricing. Buying and selling depend on a solid economic understanding of a company’s business sector and you can be right in the middle of it with your Economics degree. Your critical thinking and reasoning skill will be critical in business and economics. Research, law, statistics, and accounting are all components of economics and will help you provide your employer with the information needed to be competitive in your marketplace.
Economists follow the money. They research, analyze, ask questions, forecast events and trends, find possible answers to questions, create reports, and do it all over again. Economics holds potential answers to questions you may not think would be related to financial outcomes. Yet, they find important trends and information on climate change, health, racial tensions, robotics, crime, art, food, immigration, and so much more.
Economics is woven through all areas of business. It is one of the fundamentals of buying and selling, so working in this industry brings constant change and movement in purchasing, sales, and supply chain processes, and you will be right in the middle of it all. So, if you are someone who is always questioning things, notices details, and enjoys solving complex puzzles, economics is a subject that will spark your imagination and give you an in-demand, captivating career.
Careers in Economics
Business Administration: Economics is a career with excellent potential and tremendous opportunities in the business sector, as well as in non-profit organizations, science fields, and government agencies. Here are some careers and their salaries you could have with a degree in Economics:
Go to bls.gov for most current career information.
| Typical Education Level: | Salary: | Hourly Median Wage: |
| Bachelor’s Degree | $120,680/year | $58.02/hour |
| Work Experience in a Related Occupation: | Job Outlook 2018-2028: | Number of Jobs 2018: |
| None needed | 20% increase (much faster than average) |
1,410 |
Prepare and examine financial records.
| Typical Education Level: | Salary: | Hourly Median Wage: |
| Bachelor’s Degree | $84,430/year | $40.59/hour |
| Work Experience in a Related Occupation: | Job Outlook 2018-2028: | Number of Jobs 2018: |
| None needed | 6% increase (faster than average) |
148,600 |
Study market conditions to examine potential sales of a product or service.
| Typical Education Level: | Salary: | Hourly Median Wage: |
| Bachelor’s Degree | $78,090/year | $37.54/hour |
| Work Experience in a Related Occupation: | Job Outlook 2018-2028: | Number of Jobs 2018: |
| None needed | 20% increase (much faster than average) |
98,590 |
Provide guidance to businesses and individuals making investment decisions.
| Typical Education Level: | Salary: | Hourly Median Wage: |
| Bachelor’s Degree | $109,640/year | $52.71/hour |
| Work Experience in a Related Occupation: | Job Outlook 2018-2028: | Number of Jobs 2018: |
| None needed | 6% increase (as fast as average) |
37,900 |
Collect and analyze data, research trends, and evaluate economic issues for resources, goods, and services.
| Typical Education Level: | Salary: | Hourly Median Wage: |
| Master’s Degree | $124,430/year | $59.82/hour |
| Work Experience in a Related Occupation: | Job Outlook 2018-2028: | Number of Jobs 2018: |
| None needed | 8% increase (much faster than average) |
1,430 |
What You’ll Learn at LASC in Economics
You can get Associate in Arts (AA) through LASC’s Business Administration: Economics program where you will gain an in depth understanding of the practices and principles of economics:
- Learn about the intricacies of a free marketing economy, study the principles of economics including supply and demand, business law and finite mathematics.
- Learn how the world of business works and how multiple components integrate to form a global market system and how to analyze business efficiencies for maximum profit.
- Consider an internship so you can build your career connections, gain work experience and create community ties for after you graduate and begin your job search.Check for upcoming innovative workshops, events, and business fairs hosted by LASC’s School of Career and Technical Education to strengthen your business skills, network with community leaders and local business owners, and develop a deeper knowledge for all of the different aspects of business.
- Want to transfer? With your Associate in Arts degree in Business Administration: Economics degree, you’ll save money on your first two years of college learning from knowledgeable, passionate faculty. Check with your academic counselor to make sure the courses and units you are taking will transfer to your chosen university.
Degrees & Courses You Will Take
Below are the courses you will take to earn the LASC Associate in Arts in Business Administration: Economics degree, along with our suggested course of study for this program. Go to LASC’s current Course Catalog for specific course information:
Major Code: 505.01
Total Units Required: 60
Upon successfully completing this program, you will be able to:
- Work with research data to analyze the role of supply and demand in a free market economy and the necessary elements to function efficiently.
- Evaluate the advantages of a free market economy and the role of competitive pricing in achieving efficiency.
- Define, analyze, and demonstrate economic problems using statistical methods, figures, and graphs.
| Required Courses: | Units |
|---|---|
| ACCTG 1 Introductory Accounting I | 5 |
| ACCTG 2 Introductory Accounting II | 5 |
| BUS 1 Introduction to Business | 3 |
| CAOT 85 Microcomputer Office Applications: Spreadsheet | 3 |
| ECON 1 Principles of Economics I | 3 |
| ECON 2 Principles of Economics II | 3 |
| MATH 227 Statistics | 4 |
| TOTAL UNITS | 26 |
| Recommended Electives: | Units |
|---|---|
| BUS 5 Business Law I | 3 |
| BUS 6 Business Law II | 3 |
| CAOT 75 Word Processing: Equipment Operation | 2 |
| CAOT 82 Microcomputer Software in the Office | 3 |
| CAOT 83 Microcomputer Office Applications: Operating Systems | 1 |
| MATH 235 Finite Mathematics | 5 |
Get Ready Before You Start
Want to go into business and economics? You can start preparing for your career before your first class begins:
- Make an appointment with your LASC academic counselor to review LASC’s program, develop your Student Education Plan (SEP), and discuss support services and opportunities that would be beneficial for you, and if transferring to four-year colleges and universities would be a good match for your career goals.
- Research economic trends, and follow blogs and social media influencers to learn more about the business and economics industries. Read magazines and books to go in-depth and learn about this dynamic industry.
- Once you’re at LASC, learn about support services such as tutoring and study labs. Get involved with on-campus clubs, organizations, and business events and workshops held at the School of Career & Technical Education. Become a student ambassador, or run for student government. These activities create new relationships and show potential employers your commitment to your education and leadership skills.
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon successfully completing this program, you will be able to:
- Work with research data to analyze the role of supply and demand in a free market economy and the necessary elements to function efficiently.
- Evaluate the advantages of a free-market economy and the role of competitive pricing in achieving efficiency.
- Define, analyze, and demonstrate economic problems using statistical methods, figures, and graphs.