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Economics

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Economics

Understanding our role as stewards of God's good creation, though it is burdened by sin, is at the core of studying economics at Covenant. A properly functioning economy is central to the maintenance of healthy and creative communities that glorify God. Understanding how the economy works and shapes lives is essential for effective stewardship.

On this page Overview Graduate Outcomes Programs / Features Faculty Contact

Program Overview

We equip students to understand economic systems and see how they can work within them to promote flourishing for communities, nations, and the world as a whole. Students are taught the key principles and frameworks needed to understand how economies work and how to carefully address new questions and challenges as Christians through rigorous research and data analysis. 
You will develop knowledge in economic theory and its history, learn how institutions and policy influence the way an economy functions, and gain skills in analysis and communication that will enable you to be active in the economy as a thoughtful steward, faithful to Jesus and his Kingdom.

Graduate Outcomes

Economics majors go on to work in a variety of fields such as business consulting, financial management, community development, law, entrepreneurship, policy advising, and data analysis.

Recent Job Outcomes for Covenant Economics Majors:

  • Research Analyst, Hutchins Center on Fiscal and Monetary Policy, The Brookings Institution
  • Senior Strategy Analyst, Accenture
  • Sr. Software Engineer - AI/Economics, LinkedIn
  • Director of Revenue Quality, FedEx
  • Director of Research and Consumer Insights, WellSpan Health
  • Small Business Sales Consultant, Unum
  • Sr. Product & Pricing Strategist, CoreLogic
  • Grants & Partnerships Lead, International Justice Mission

Recent Grad Schools for Economics Alumni:

  • Duke University School of Business
  • Georgia Tech University
  • Harvard University School of Business
  • Harvard University Kennedy School of Policy
  • Johns Hopkins University
  • University of Alabama School of Law
  • University of California—Berkeley
  • University of North Carolina
  • University of Pittsburgh
  • Washington University St. Louis
jesudhas arnold

Jesudhas Paul Arnold ’19

matt schroeder

Matthew Schroeder ’17

alumni sheild

Read Alumni Profiles

Programs & Features

Reflecting biblical priorities, the economics major has a particular interest in addressing issues of poverty. Building on this interest, the department also offers a community development major, which focuses exclusively on alleviating poverty in the United States and around the world. 

While economics is a very important aspect of poverty, the department recognizes that there are many non-economic factors that contribute to poverty. For this reason, the community development major uses an interdisciplinary approach that draws on multiple fields to address the whole person in a wide range of cultural settings.  

The disciplines of economics and community development have different perspectives, tools, strengths, and weaknesses. For this reason, many students find it valuable to major in both programs.

View Community Development Page

The economics major focuses on a broad range of institutions and sectors in which we can develop God’s world to glorify Him and promote human flourishing at local, national, and global levels. This includes theoretical and empirical analysis of human behavior and policies in businesses, non-profits, communities, government, healthcare, finance, government, and international trade, among others.

View Requirements

Students can also pursue an economics minor which will prepare them for careers and graduate study in a range of disciplines.

View Requirements

  • ECO 320:  History of Economic Thought
  • ECO 330:  Industrial Organization
  • ECO 360:  The Economics of Asia in the 21st Century
  • ECO 415:  International Finance
  • ECO 450:  Health Economics

  • “Payer Effect on Provider Administrative Expense: The Paperwork Killing Patient Wallets”
  • “The High Cost of Higher Education - Analyzing the Student Debt Crisis & Current Government Policy”
  • “Mobile Money, Risk Sharing, and School Participation in Kenya”
  • “Church Collaboration in the Production of Social Services”
  • “COVID-19 Lockdown Impact on Enterprises and Consumer Behavior”

Guided Capstone Requirements

The Chalmers Center is a research and educational institute which trains workers in church-centered ministries to promote economic development and spiritual transformation in the context of poor communities. In collaboration with partnering agencies and churches worldwide, the center initiates pilot projects that serve as laboratories for the development of new models that can be replicated by others. 

Students in the economics or community development major may apply for domestic and international research internships in these projects, providing them with a unique opportunity to participate in the development of state-of-the-art strategies and to gain practical experience.

Meet the Faculty

brian fikkert

Brian Fikkert Professor of Economics and Community Development

john rush

John Rush Associate Professor of Economics

lance wescher

Lance Wescher Professor of Economics
Department Chair

Ready to take the next step?

Thank you for your interest in Covenant! By filling out this form, we'll be able to connect you with the best information regarding your program of interest, as well as your Admissions Counselor.

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Graduate School of Education

Undergraduate Departments, Majors, Minors, Certificates, Concentrations, and Programs

Academic Certificates

  • Arts Administration
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Environmental Stewardship & Sustainability
  • Journalism and Society
  • Medical Ethics Consultation
  • Neuroscience
  • Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)

Art

  • Art, 2-D Concentration 
  • Art, 3-D Concentration 
  • Art, Art History Concentration 
  • Art, Graphic Design Concentration 
  • Art, Photography Concentration 
  • Art minor
  • Art History minor

Biblical & Theological Studies

  • Biblical & Theological Studies 
  • Biblical & Theological Studies, Missions Concentration 
  • Biblical & Theological Studies minor
  • Biblical Languages minor
  • History of Christianity minor
  • Missions minor
  • Youth Ministry minor

Biology

  • Biology, Biomedical Concentration 
  • Biology, Environmental Concentration 
  • Biology, General 
  • Biology, Health Professions Concentration 
  • Biology minor

Business

  • Business 
  • Business, Accounting Concentration 
  • Business, Finance Concentration 
  • Business, Marketing Concentration 
  • Sport Management 
  • Business minor
  • Sport Management minor

Chemistry

  • Chemistry, Biochemistry Concentration 
  • Chemistry, General 
  • Biochemistry minor
  • Chemistry minor

Community Development

  • Community Development 
  • Community Development minor

Computer Science

  • Computer Science 
  • Computer Science minor

Economics

  • Economics 
  • Economics minor

Education

  • Education Studies 
  • Elementary Education (P-5) 
  • Secondary Education Certifications through MAT program 
  • Education minor

Engineering 3:2 Program

  • Natural Science, Pre-Engineering Studies Concentration

English

  • English 
  • English, Writing Concentration 
  • English minor
  • Writing minor

Health, Wellness and Coaching

  • Coaching minor

History, Politics, and International Studies

  • History 
  • History, Art History Concentration 
  • Political Science 
  • International Studies 
  • History minor
  • Political Science minor

Interdisciplinary Studies

  • Interdisciplinary Studies with Concentrations 

Mathematics

  • Mathematics 
  • Mathematics minor

Music

  • Music, Church Music Concentration 
  • Music, Creative Studies Concentration 
  • Music, General Music Concentration 
  • Music, Instrumental Performance Concentration 
  • Music, Music Education (Pre-MAT) Concentration 
  • Music, Organ Performance Concentration 
  • Music, Piano Pedagogy Concentration 
  • Music, Piano Performance Concentration 
  • Music, Vocal Performance Concentration 
  • Music minor

Philosophy

  • Philosophy 
  • Philosophy minor

Physics

  • Physics 
  • Physics minor

Pre-Professional Programs

  • Pre-Law Studies 
  • Pre-Medical Studies 
  • Pre-Nursing Studies 
  • Pre-Physical Therapy Studies 

Psychology

  • Psychology 
  • Psychology minor

Sociology

  • Sociology 
  • Sociology, Family Studies & Social Work Concentration 
  • Sociology minor

Theatre

  • Theatre minor

World Languages

  • French 
  • Spanish 
  • French minor
  • Spanish minor