Why isn't econ a "business" major?

<p>Many colleges that have an undergrad business school also have economics, but econ will be in the arts college rather than business. This can be tough because I like the title of attending business school but want to major in econ. With economics being very pragmatic in the business and financial world, how is econ still considered a social science under the liberal art/arts college? Are there any top colleges that have econ as a major under the business school?</p>

<p>See “Business Economics”</p>

<p>From what I’ve heard (at my school’s orientation thing they did sample schedules and stuff of real sophomores trying to decide their majors and someone was trying to decide between Econ and Business), Econ is more theory whereas business is more application. “Business Economics” as sp1212 would be a more applied version of economics and it would be in the business school.</p>

<p>Economics is a Social Science. Social Science - “the branch of science that studies society and the relationships of individual within a society” and science is "the intellectual and practical activity encompassing the systematic study of the structure and behavior of the physical and natural world through observation and experiment. "</p>

<p>Economics is the study of the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. This is why it is not necessarily tied to the business world but can also be geared towards other tracts such as consumer behavior or biological behavior (agricultural economics for example) </p>

<p>Economics is based off the fundamentals of various schools of economic thought which can range from Keynesian economics to neoclassical economics or reflect on political thought & state. </p>

<p>Business focuses on what we can use to increase productivity, maximize efficiency, and generate profits. There is a quote that states in every civilization there exists the market and the state … one cannot exist without the other. In essence economics is the study between the two. Therefore it’s not necessarily tied to “the market” nor “the state” (sorry if this is a terrible example) It’s rather hard to properly explain the two but they are two different fields of study for a very good reason. </p>

<p>Economics however can really help you understand business practices as a lot of innovative business processes has been helped with economists. Now my personal opinion. Economics is a jack of all trades, master of none kind of major. You can apply economics to everything (not as a doctrine to live by but rather to understand the world we live in) in addition to being definitely applicable to the business world. However when comparing it to something like accounting … accounting is a man made technique that is utilized to better understand the business and their profit / loss and maintain accurate tracking. </p>

<p>Economics can definitely be taken quantitatively or qualitative. Hence the theory route or the applied economic route … the choice is ultimately yours in what you wish to study but just understand that generally speaking business programs are favored higher towards students seeking employment in certain sectors such as finance / accounting. </p>

<p>Disclaimer: However it’s been in my experience that having a quant-background can be more beneficial than going through a traditional business admin degree program. Reason being is that a business admin cirriculum is more of a management study (No one can teach you how to be a successful business person or manage a company much less succeed in life) Economics however can teach you critical thinking skills that you may not necessarily pick up in a business program sitting.</p>

<p>That is why it’s a social science because it teaches you the epistemological side of things where you’ll analyze the knowledge you have acquired. Why do consumers behave this way and for what reason. It’s easy to say that x meets y then z result happens but economics can help you understand the relationship of why z result happens each and every time.</p>

<p>okay this is way long lol.
/end soapbox</p>

<p>sorry if this wasn’t too helpful and my terrible examples.</p>

<p>p.s. </p>

<p>I know a few Cal graduates from Haas who graduated nearly a decade ago. They feel that the economic majors have had a easier time finding jobs than themselves for what it’s worth. Probably a good reason why is that economics demands more quant-work than certain business program majors. Econ can definitely be a lucrative and versatile degree. </p>

<p>and choose a major in which you’re passionate for! don’t do it for the money always.</p>

<p>Economics is just the study of how we allocate limited resources. It can be applied to many other things other than business.</p>

<p>lol.</p>

<p>Business: Practical </p>

<p>Econ: Theoretical</p>

<p>Same reason why Physics isn’t an engineering major.</p>

<p>yea the school where i plan on going to has econ in three different ‘colleges.’ there is the arts-science econ, business econ and science econ (quant). I plan on doing the latter because it seems most useful.</p>