The mission of the Business and Economics Department is to prepare and develop students as business and organizational workers and leaders with the skills and experience necessary to make decisions, solve problems, and devise policies that are socially, environmentally, and economically sound.
The goals of the Business and Economic Program are the following:
The Business and Economics Program is designed to complement the liberal arts studies of Warren Wilson. Studies are clustered around four basic areas of competence - the core of business and economics education. These competencies include quantitative/financial skills (applied statistics, econometrics, financial statement preparation/analysis, etc.), people skills (personal, individual and group behavior management, employee motivation, communication), knowledge of external environments (legal, social, political, economic, natural, and other specific factors that affect organizations), and strategic planning /integration skills (integrating all competencies with knowledge of culture, religion, politics, and environment). These four competencies provide the foundation for balanced and critical analysis, decision-making and problem solving related to the complex and dynamic issues affecting businesses, organizations, and communities. The major core requirements provide the basic knowledge and skills in each of these competencies. Advanced courses are designed to provide in-depth study and application of these skills.
The following concepts are incorporated throughout the curriculum in the Business and Economics Program. These concepts provide points of integration with the mission and liberal arts curriculum of Warren Wilson College. They also represent the basic elements of building sustainable businesses, organizations, and communities.
Grades: Students must pass courses at a grade of C- or better to count toward fulfillment of the major.
Total Credit Hours: Students must earn a minimum of 40-52 credit hours in business and economics (depending on concentration, see below) to fulfill the major requirements.
Core Requirements: All majors in Business and Economics must complete the courses listed below (20 credit hours):
Concentration requirements: Minimum 20 credit hours
In addition to the core requirements listed above, students in this concentration must complete the two courses listed below plus 12 additional credit hours of any business and/or economics courses.
Concentration requirements: Minimum 28 credit hours
In addition to the core requirements listed above, students in this concentration must complete the five courses listed below plus an additional 8 credit hours in Business and/or Economics courses, or other courses as approved by the student's advisor and the department chair.
Concentration requirements: Minimum 28 credit hours.
In addition to the core requirements listed above, students in this concentration must complete the five courses listed below plus an additional 8 credit hours in Business or Economics courses, or other courses as approved by the student's advisor and the department chair.
Concentration requirements: Minimum 32 credit hours.
A minor in Business or Economics will provide students in any major with the fundamental knowledge and skills needed to make socially, economically, and environmentally sound contributions to businesses, organizations, and communities.
Requirements: all of the following
In addition to the above four courses, students must complete 12 credit hours of additional BUS or ECO courses, as approved by the student's advisor and the department chair. Minimum of 28 credit hours.
Requirements: all of the following
In addition to the above three courses, students must complete 16 credit hours of additional economics electives, as approved by the student's advisor and the department chair. Minimum of 28 credit hours.