Economics Certification

Certificate in Economics

The field of economics is a broad discipline that deals with the production, supply, and consumption of goods and services. The field analyzes the interaction among consumers, suppliers, goods, industries, etc. to discover trends that are used to devise better policies. It is an amalgamation of microeconomics, consumers and their behavior, and macroeconomics, the effect of overall consumer behavior on aggregate outcomes. People looking for growth in their present careers such as marketing, business, etc. should opt for a certificate in economics as it provides them with extensive knowledge to examine trends and devise better policies, which is a vital addition to their repertoire of skills.

Featured Programs

Why Study Economics?

Institutes all across the country are offering economics at undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate level. There are many reasons why students are pursuing this field academically.

• Studying economics allows students to understand how markets operate
• Students can equip themselves with skills and fundamental knowledge of the 21st century
• The field will allow students to understand how policies are made and what issues affect these decisions
• The career opportunities are vast with an economics degree. Individuals can seek employment in a range of industries

Scope of Economics Certificate Programs

Economics is a challenging subject that requires proficiency in mathematics. The subject is normally offered at the post-graduate level; however, some schools do offer a certificate in economics to students in a bachelor program specializing in some other major. Hence, opportunity is provided to people specializing in other subjects like mathematics, computer science, marketing, healthcare administration, etc. to obtain training in basic economics that helps them significantly in further succeeding in their careers. Many schools also offer a certificate of economics with specialization in a particular subfield of economics such as financial economics, which deals with financial analysis and cash-flow, and behavioral economics, which studies the behavior of investors. Such a certificate is ideal for people in the field of marketing, business administration, management, etc. Moreover, they can earn such certificates via e-learning as many schools offer distance learning options.
 

Coursework

The coursework will mainly include theory-based subjects and may vary slightly with different schools. Listed below are a few of the subjects covered in detail:

Economic Forecasting  (2-3 credits)

This course will allow students to learn about the process of forecasting economic trends. The course will highlight major indicators, statistical models, and variables.

Advanced Microeconomic Analysis (2-3 credits)

This course will cover areas such as consumer theory, risk and behavior, producer theory, general equilibrium, and partial equilibrium. Students will learn about theory through relevant applications.

Industrial Organization (2-3 credits)

This field of economics discusses in detail the behavior of firms and their regulatory policies. Students will learn about different aspects of the field such as employee selection, productivity, performance, and organizational development.

Network Economics (2-3 credits)

This course is designed to provide students with in-depth knowledge of how businesses benefit from the “network effect”. Students will understand how and why prices of goods/services affect their demand.

Advanced Macroeconomics (2-3 credits)

This course will provide students with knowledge about structure and economic functions of a nation or region as a whole. Students will learn about the behavior and decision-making processes, resource allocation, gross domestic products, and will also learn about issues such as unemployment.

Economic Development(2-3 credits)

Economic development is a branch of economics that deals with aspects or policies used to promote the standard of living in communities. Students will learn about the distribution of wealth, financial economic health, and actions related to policy-makers.

Urban and Regional Economics (2-3 credits)

This course will broadly cover the economic aspects of urban area. Students will learn about the tools used for analyzing economic issues. Topics covered in the course include local government finance, education, crime, housing, and spatial structure.

How to Enroll:

The admission requirements will depend upon which institute you wish to enroll in. Each university or college has its own set of admission criteria.              
For undergraduate certificate programs, you will need:

• High school diploma
• Bachelor degree transcript (optional)
• Meet the minimum CGPA requirement (2.5 generally)
• Letter of recommendation
• Fill out and submit an admission form

For Graduate or post-graduate certificate programs, you will need:

• Bachelor degree transcript
• Masters degree transcript
• Fill out and submit admission form
• Letter of recommendation
• Meet the minimum CGPA requirements

Career Opportunities

The career opportunities are vast with an economics certification. You can seek work in many industries ranging from finance to logistics and from research to education. Listed below are a few main job positions that you may qualify for with a certificate in economics:

Economist

• Median annual salary: $91,860
• Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics (2012)

Job duties: Study and analyze data regarding production and distribution of goods, resources, and services. Evaluate, research, and forecast economic trends.

Financial Analyst

• Median annual salary: $76,950
• Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics (2012)

Job duties: Provide guidance to individuals and businesses regarding investment decisions.

Statistician

• Median annual salary: $75,560
• Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics (2012)

Job duties: Use different statistical methods to collect and analyze data.

How long does it take to get an economics certification?

Certifications in economics are offered by various institutions across the US. For instance, a graduate certificate in Economics could last half a year, on a full-time basis. Undergraduate certificate options are also available. You will need to consider the level of certification and the institution you want to go for, when deciding on an economics certification.

What are the requirements to get an economics certification?

The requirements for the completion of an economics certification would depend on the program you choose. Typically, certificate programs at the undergraduate level would require you to complete basic courses in economics, financial accounting principles, business information systems and commercial law, among others. Higher level certificates will need you to clear more advanced courses.

How much can I make with an economics certification?

With an education in economics, you can choose from a variety of career paths. You may choose to become an Actuarial Analyst, a Chartered Accountant, a Data Analyst, an Economist, and a Financial Risk Analyst and so on. The amount of salary you earn will depend on your educational qualifications and job title.