FAQs
Understanding Majors & Degree Options
Q: What is the difference between Economics, B.A. and Economics, B.S.?
Economics, B.A.
The Economics B.A. focuses on how people, businesses, and governments make decisions. It emphasizes economic ideas, real-world applications, and policy issues, while offering flexibility for students interested in business, law, public policy, or a wide range of careers.
Economics, B.S.
The Economics B.S. is more quantitative and technical, with additional coursework in mathematics, statistics, and data analysis. It is well suited for students planning to pursue graduate study (M.A. or Ph.D.) or careers in analytics, research, and finance.
Q: What is the difference between Business Administration and Management & Business Economics (MBE)?
Business Administration (B.A.)
Business Administration focuses on the practical and managerial side of business, including leadership, marketing, finance, and organizational management. The program emphasizes hands-on learning and applying business concepts across industries.
Management & Business Economics (MBE) (B.S.)
MBE combines business with economics and quantitative analysis. It places greater emphasis on data, economic reasoning, and analytical skills, preparing students for careers in analytics, consulting, strategy, and data-driven decision-making.
Q: Which business major is right for me?
Choose Business Administration if you are interested in leadership, teamwork, and applying business concepts with less emphasis on advanced math or data analysis.
Choose MBE if you enjoy working with numbers and data and want to build strong analytical skills for understanding business and economic decisions.
Careers & Professional Opportunities
Q: What careers do UC Merced economics and business students pursue?
UC Merced economics and business students pursue careers in finance, consulting, marketing, management, analytics, and operations. Graduates have earned internships and positions with organizations such as Amazon, Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, Vanguard, Wells Fargo, Bank of America, Merrill Lynch, the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, and the J. Paul Getty Trust.
Through their coursework and hands-on experiences, students build strong skills in leadership, data analysis, problem-solving, and communication. Alumni go on to roles such as financial analyst, consultant, operations manager, marketing professional, and business strategist, while others pursue MBA programs, graduate study, or entrepreneurship.
Q: I’m interested in a career in finance. What opportunities are available at UC Merced?
UC Merced offers strong preparation for finance-related careers through coursework in economics, business, accounting, and quantitative analysis. Students take classes in areas such as corporate finance, financial markets, econometrics, and data analysis.
Students can also participate in the UC Investments Academy, a free, systemwide program that provides hands-on training, mentorship from investment professionals, and exposure to careers in finance and asset management. Together, academic coursework and experiential learning help students prepare for careers in finance, banking, consulting, and investing.
Majors, Minors & Academic Planning
Q: Can I major in Business Administration or MBE and minor in Accounting?
Yes, but careful planning is required. University policy allows only one course to count toward both a major and a minor. Because Business Administration and MBE already include accounting coursework, students must complete the remaining Accounting minor requirements using courses not applied to the major. Meeting with an academic advisor early is strongly recommended.
Q: Can I major in Economics (B.A. or B.S.) and minor in Accounting?
Yes. The required courses for the Economics B.A. and B.S. do not overlap with the required courses for the Accounting minor. Students are encouraged to meet with an academic advisor to plan their coursework.
Q: Can I major in Accounting and minor in MBE?
Yes, with careful planning. The Accounting major and MBE minor share some lower-division coursework. Students may share up to 12 units between a major and a minor and must complete the remaining MBE minor requirements using courses not applied to the Accounting major.
Q: Can I major in Accounting and minor in Business Administration?
No. The Accounting major and Business Administration minor share more than the allowable number of required courses, exceeding the unit-sharing limit for a minor.
Q: Can I major in Accounting and minor in Economics?
Yes. The overlap between the Accounting major and Economics minor is within the allowable unit limit. Students should meet with an academic advisor to ensure all requirements are met.
Q: Can I double major in Business Administration and MBE?
No. These majors are closely related and share substantial coursework, so they do not meet University guidelines for a double major.
Q: Can I double major in Business Administration or MBE and Accounting?
No. These programs share many required upper-division courses and have similar academic focuses. Students interested in both areas are encouraged to major in one and minor in the other.
Can I double major in Economics (B.A. or B.S.) and Accounting?
Yes. While there is some overlap in upper-division economics coursework, it is within University guidelines. Students must petition for a double major and should meet with an academic advisor early.
Student Organizations & Involvement
Q: Are there student organizations related to business, economics, and finance at UC Merced?
Yes. UC Merced offers a variety of student organizations that help students build leadership skills, gain hands-on experience, and connect classroom learning to real-world practice.
Business-related student organizations include:
- Alpha Kappa Psi (AKPsi): The world’s oldest and largest professional business fraternity, focused on professional development, leadership, service, and networking.
- Delta Sigma Pi: A professional business fraternity emphasizing service, ethical leadership, professionalism, and career preparation.
- Business Society: A student-run organization where members gain hands-on experience in departments such as marketing, finance, operations, human resources, and entrepreneurship.
- Economics Club: Offers professional talks, research collaboration, internship opportunities, and networking with economists and industry professionals.
- Marketing Club: Focuses on marketing strategy, social media, branding, and creative skills for today’s digital business environment.
- Investment Club: Open to all majors, teaching financial literacy and investment decision-making while preparing students for careers in finance.
Course Prerequisites & Policies
Q: Can I take ECON 100 (Intermediate Microeconomics) without completing MATH 011 (Calculus I)?
No. MATH 011 is a required prerequisite and cannot be waived. ECON 100 relies heavily on calculus for optimization, marginal analysis, and economic modeling. Completing calculus beforehand ensures students are prepared to succeed in the course and in upper-division economics classes.
