Financial Economics - BS
The Financial Economics major at St. Catherine University prepares students for high-demand careers at the intersection of finance, economics, and business strategy. Blending coursework in economics, finance, and accounting, the program develops the quantitative, analytical, and decision-making skills essential for roles such as financial analyst, risk analyst, budget analyst, investment analyst, or corporate finance professional.
Students explore a range of topics—personal finance, corporate finance, and public finance—to understand how financial systems operate at individual, institutional, and governmental levels. Through real-world applications and case-based learning, students strengthen their abilities in financial modeling, data interpretation, communication, and strategic thinking.
Financial Economics is an ideal complement to majors in accounting, business administration, or data science, and provides strong preparation for students pursuing CPA, CFA, or actuarial certification. High-achieving seniors may apply to take up to 12 credits of graduate coursework in the Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership (MAOL) or Master of Business Administration (MBA) programs—earning dual credit toward a future graduate degree or certificate.
Outside the classroom, students gain hands-on experience through internships with organizations such as KPMG, Wells Fargo, 3M, Lucent Technologies, and the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. Many also participate in events hosted by the Minnesota Center for Diversity in Economics or join the Economics Club, which offers networking, professional development, and student-led initiatives such as trips to the Minneapolis Fed.
With strong career outcomes and salary potential, Financial Economics is a strategic choice for students who want to translate their strengths in math, business, and analysis into leadership roles in the financial sector. Graduates have gone on to successful careers at Wells Fargo, Royal Bank of Canada, Merrill Lynch, Ecolab and First Bank. Some alumnae continue on to graduate programs in economics, or business administration.
See also: Economics, Quantitative Economics
This major is offered in the College for Women only.
Curriculum
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ECON 1090 | Statistical Analysis for Decision Making | 4 |
| ECON 2012/CARR 2010 | Personal Financial Fitness | 4 |
| Choose two from: | 8 | |
| Economics of Social Issues | ||
| Principles of Microeconomics | ||
| Principles of Macroeconomics | ||
| Choose two from: | 8 | |
| Quantitative Impact Evaluation: Applied Research Skills | ||
| Methods and Modeling for Economics, Finance, and Analytics | ||
| Econometrics | ||
| ECON 3350 | Public Finance | 4 |
| Choose one from: | 4 | |
| Discrimination and Disparities: The Economics and Politics of Race and Gender | ||
| Haves and Have Nots: Development, Poverty, and Inequality | ||
| International Economics: Trade and Immigration | ||
| Women and Globalization | ||
| ECON 3650 | Cost-Benefit Analysis | 4 |
| ECON 4604 | Internship | 4 |
| ECON 4850W | Theory to Action | 4 |
| Choose one of the following: | 4 | |
| Social Entrepreneurship | ||
| Financial Management for Nonprofit Organizations | ||
| Financial Accounting | ||
| Managerial Accounting | ||
| Total Credits | 48 | |
NOTE: ECON 3610 Microeconomic Theory or ECON 3620 Macroeconomic Theory can substitute for any upper-division ECON course.
Financial economics majors satisfy the Writing Requirement for Majors by completing ECON 3450W Haves and Have Nots: Development, Poverty, and Inequality and ECON 3480W International Economics: Trade and Immigration. They complete the Liberal Arts and Sciences Core Writing Requirement with two other writing-intensive courses (CORE 1000W The Reflective Woman and CORE 3990W Global Search for Justice).
The Financial Economics major can be completed in four years or two years. Both programs of study are provided below.
Four-Year Plan
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Fall Term | ||
| ECON 1090 | Statistical Analysis for Decision Making | 4 |
| ECON 1120 | Economics of Social Issues | 4 |
| or ECON 2610 | Principles of Microeconomics | |
| or ECON 2620 | Principles of Macroeconomics | |
| Spring Term | ||
| ECON 1120 | Economics of Social Issues | 4 |
| or ECON 2610 | Principles of Microeconomics | |
| or ECON 2620 | Principles of Macroeconomics | |
| ECON 3050 | Quantitative Impact Evaluation: Applied Research Skills | 4 |
| or ECON 3700 | Methods and Modeling for Economics, Finance, and Analytics | |
| or ECON 4150W | Econometrics | |
| Fall Term | ||
| ACCT 2110 | Financial Accounting | 4 |
| or ACCT 2130 | Managerial Accounting | |
| or BUSI 3900W | Social Entrepreneurship | |
| or NPSO 3050 | Financial Management for Nonprofit Organizations | |
| Spring Term | ||
| ECON 2012 | Personal Financial Fitness | 4 |
| or CARR 2010 | Personal Financial Fitness | |
| ECON 3050 | Quantitative Impact Evaluation: Applied Research Skills | 4 |
| or ECON 3700 | Methods and Modeling for Economics, Finance, and Analytics | |
| or ECON 4150W | Econometrics | |
| Fall Term | ||
| ECON 3350 | Public Finance | 4 |
| Spring Term | ||
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
| Discrimination and Disparities: The Economics and Politics of Race and Gender | ||
| Haves and Have Nots: Development, Poverty, and Inequality | ||
| International Economics: Trade and Immigration | ||
| Women and Globalization | ||
| Fall Term | ||
| ECON 3650 | Cost-Benefit Analysis | 4 |
| ECON 4604 | Internship | 4 |
| Spring Term | ||
| ECON 4850W | Theory to Action | 4 |
| Total Credits | 48 | |
Two-Year Plan
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Fall Term | ||
| ECON 1090 | Statistical Analysis for Decision Making | 4 |
| ECON 1120 | Economics of Social Issues | 4 |
| or ECON 2610 | Principles of Microeconomics | |
| or ECON 2620 | Principles of Macroeconomics | |
| Spring Term | ||
| ECON 1120 | Economics of Social Issues | 4 |
| or ECON 2610 | Principles of Microeconomics | |
| or ECON 2620 | Principles of Macroeconomics | |
| ECON 3050 | Quantitative Impact Evaluation: Applied Research Skills | 4 |
| or ECON 3700 | Methods and Modeling for Economics, Finance, and Analytics | |
| or ECON 4150W | Econometrics | |
| Fall Term | ||
| ACCT 2110 | Financial Accounting | 4 |
| or ACCT 2130 | Managerial Accounting | |
| or BUSI 3900W | Social Entrepreneurship | |
| or NPSO 3050 | Financial Management for Nonprofit Organizations | |
| Spring Term | ||
| ECON 2012 | Personal Financial Fitness | 4 |
| or CARR 2010 | Personal Financial Fitness | |
| ECON 3050 | Quantitative Impact Evaluation: Applied Research Skills | 4 |
| or ECON 3700 | Methods and Modeling for Economics, Finance, and Analytics | |
| or ECON 4150W | Econometrics | |
| Fall Term | ||
| ECON 3350 | Public Finance | 4 |
| Spring Term | ||
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
| Discrimination and Disparities: The Economics and Politics of Race and Gender | ||
| Haves and Have Nots: Development, Poverty, and Inequality | ||
| International Economics: Trade and Immigration | ||
| Women and Globalization | ||
| Fall Term | ||
| ECON 3650 | Cost-Benefit Analysis | 4 |
| ECON 4604 | Internship | 4 |
| Spring Term | ||
| ECON 4850W | Theory to Action | 4 |
| Total Credits | 48 | |