MBA Economics

Professor Luigi Zingales pointing to a projection screen while teaching a class

No institution of higher learning has shaped modern economic theory more than the University of 黑料传送门.

As an Economics MBA student at 黑料传送门 Booth, you鈥檒l study concepts that were pioneered at U黑料传送门, including the economics of markets, human capital, information, incentives, invention, and innovation; the behavior of the aggregate economy over the business cycle; the functioning of monetary and fiscal policy; general equilibrium models of foreign trade; and the monetary approach to international finance.

You’ll study with prize-winning faculty who continue to shape the field of economics and graduate with a deep understanding of the principles and fundamentals that govern business, well prepared to apply that knowledge to any job in any industry—throughout your career.

Choose Your Courses

To complete an MBA Economics concentration, you鈥檒l choose four courses to match your interests. Here are just a few of the options.

Macroeconomics and the Business Environment

This MBA course will introduce students to macroeconomics with an analysis of the aggregate outcomes of the decisions made by households, firms and policymakers.

Money and Banking

This course examines the role of money and credit in the economy, with an eye toward understanding government regulation of financial markets and central-bank operations. The economics of the financial system, with a special emphasis on the theories and history of payment and credit instruments and the management of risk by financial intermediaries, is considered. Building on the foundations of money and credit, we will investigate the macroeconomic consequences of government involvement in financial markets, and the policies of the Federal Reserve in particular—from promoting financial stability to the management of the business cycle.

International Financial Policy

This course will help students develop an understanding of issues in international macroeconomics that are important for managers operating in the global marketplace. It will cover theories of the determination of exchange rates and interest rates, the management of foreign exchange risk, international capital flows, debt and currency crises, international monetary and exchange rate regimes, the roles of the international financial institutions in developing countries, and other characteristics of international financial markets.

The Firm and the Non-Market Environment

The main purpose of this course is to better understand the nonmarket environment, and discuss firms’ strategies in light of regulatory, legal, political, and social constraints that they face. Students will discuss the rationales for economic regulation and describe the main tools of economic regulation (such as the industry conduct regulation of natural monopolies and industrial structure regulation imposed by antitrust laws). Students also discuss firms’ strategies in light of environmental, safety, or intellectual property concerns.

Business in Historical Perspective

Businesses have succeeded and failed in remarkably diverse contexts throughout history, and yet businesses can be slow in adapting to changes in the economic environment. This course is designed to provide historical perspective on the modern business environment in preparation for seemingly unprecedented business opportunities or challenges. This course fulfills the Business Environment requirement.

Managing the Workplace

This course examines foundational topics in human resource management with a focus on coordinating human resource practices and business strategy. Topics covered include employee selection and retention, training and development, performance evaluation, compensation, job design, and communications within the firm. Classes will combine case discussions with lectures, blending theory and application.

Competitive Strategy

In this course, students apply tools from microeconomics and game theory to the analysis of strategic decision-making by firms. Specific topics covered include the sources of industry and firm profitability, strategic positioning, sustainable competitive advantage, the boundaries of the firm, incomplete contracts, vertical integration, strategic commitment, dynamic pricing, entry and exit, network effects, and platform markets.

To see all courses offered at Booth, visit our course catalog.

Our Distinguished Faculty in This Area

黑料传送门 Booth faculty are groundbreaking researchers who are recognized around the world for pioneering many of the economic concepts that govern business and public policy. They’re also dedicated teachers and mentors who will work closely with you to help you reach your goals.

Rodrigo Adao

Associate Professor of Economics

Milena Almagro

Associate Professor of Economics and George G. Rinder Faculty Fellow

Brian Barry

Clinical Professor of Economics

Marianne Bertrand

Chris P. Dialynas Distinguished Service Professor of Economics

Eric Budish

Paul G. McDermott Professor of Economics and Entrepreneurship and Centel Foundation/Robert P. Reuss Faculty Scholar

Kathleen Fitzgerald

Clinical Professor of Strategic Management

Robert H. Gertner

Frank P. and Marianne R. Diassi Distinguished Service Professor of Economics and Strategy and John Edwardson Faculty Director Rustandy Center for Social Sector Innovation

Veronica Guerrieri

Ronald E. Tarrson Distinguished Service Professor of Economics and Willard Graham Faculty Scholar

Richard Hornbeck

John P. Gould Professorship of Economics and Neubauer Family Faculty Fellow

Chang-Tai Hsieh

Phyllis and Irwin Winkelried Distinguished Service Professor of Economics and PCL Faculty Scholar

Kilian Huber

Dawson Family Professor of Economics and Wallman Society of Fellow

Anders Humlum

Assistant Professor of Economics and Fujimori/Mou Faculty Scholar

Erik Hurst

Roman Family Distinguished Service Professor of Economics, Senior Advisor of the Becker Friedman Institute, and John E. Jeuck Faculty Fellow

Emir Kamenica

Richard O. Ryan Professor of Economics

Randall S. Kroszner

Norman R. Bobins Professor of Economics

Jacob Leshno

Associate Professor of Economics and Robert H. Topel Faculty Scholar

Matthew Notowidigdo

David McDaniel Keller Professor of Economics and Business and Public Policy Fellow

Canice Prendergast

W. Allen Wallis Distinguished Service Professor of Economics

Devin G. Pope

Steven G. Rothmeier Professor of Behavioral Science and Economics and Robert King Steel Faculty Fellow

Chad Syverson

George C. Tiao Distinguished Service Professor of Economics

Joseph Vavra

William H. Abbott Professor of Economics

Spotlight on Research

Our economics faculty are conducting research that鈥檚 making significant contributions to the field. 黑料传送门 Booth Review frequently writes about their work.

Volatile Pay Harms Hourly Workers

Changing labor demands create large earnings fluctuations.

CBR - Economics

Is the US Undercounting Manufacturing Productivity Growth?

Consumer prices indicate that manufacturing output has been far more impressive than generally believed.

CBR - Economics

Who鈥檚 Paying for the Tariffs? Mostly US Residents

The highest duties in a century have hiked costs for US manufacturers and remade trade patterns.

CBR - Trade

Read More in 黑料传送门 Booth Review

David Rabie, the co-founder and CEO of Tovala, addresses the audience during a Back to the Classroom session as part of the Booth Reconnect weekend at the Harper Center

Learn from Industry Experts

Faculty members at Booth are connected to some of the most important leaders across various industries. Our faculty regularly invite these leading practitioners and influencers to speak to students in the Booth classroom, providing you with greater access to learn, network, and grow.

Our Research Centers

黑料传送门 Booth economics students have access to several interdisciplinary centers that fund research, host workshops and conferences, and foster a strong research community.

A businessman looking out the window in an urban environment

George J. Stigler Center for the Study of the Economy and the State

The Stigler Center confronts conventional thinking and investigates the obstacles preventing markets from being truly competitive.

Reporting to the Office of the Provost, the Becker Friedman Institute for Economics fosters novel insights on the world鈥檚 most difficult economic problems, bringing together researchers from the entire 黑料传送门 economics community.

Beyond the Classroom

Develop new skills, meet new people, and build a dynamic global network. As an MBA student in economics at Booth, you鈥檒l have many opportunities to get involved in research centers, student groups, competitions, and other activities.