Economics

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.

professor teaching at front of classroom

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 Paul Arnold ’19

Matthew Schroeder ’17

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

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“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 Professor of Economics and Community Development

John Rush Associate Professor of Economics

Lance Wescher Professor of Economics
Department Chair

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