Politics, Philosophy & Economics: Financial Economics (BA)
Program Description
The Politics, Philosophy, and Economics (PPE) major is an interdisciplinary program that combines studies in political science, philosophy, and economics. When you seek a bachelor’s degree in PPE, you will take a core of classes from each of these three disciplines. You will also choose from one of seven concentrations.
The Financial Economics concentration prepares students for careers in the world of finance and investments.
New Majors Onboarding
All newly admitted majors must attend this onboarding as an introduction to the College of Business and Technology. Please make note that there are no substitutions for this degree requirement.
Entering and Completing the Major
In order to earn a degree, you must complete at least one academic major. SPU encourages students to explore various academic paths, so if you change your mind about a major, or want to include an additional program, you are able to do so, as outlined below.
Note that the University encourages you to enter your chosen major(s) as soon as you have determined it and are eligible to join it, especially by the start of your junior year. Students who transfer as juniors and seniors should enter a major within their first two quarters at SPU.
- If this is your first quarter at SPU and you identified a major in this department as your first choice on your application for admission to the University, you have gained entry to the major. To change or add a major, follow these instructions.
- If you are an SPU student with an SPU cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better, follow these instructions to enter a major in this department.
- The University requires a grade of C- or better in all classes that apply to a major; however, programs may require higher minimum grades in specific courses. You may repeat an SPU course only once for a higher grade.
- To advance in this program, meet with your faculty advisor regularly to discuss your grades, course progression, and other indicators of satisfactory academic progress. If your grades or other factors indicate that you may not be able to successfully complete the major or minor, your faculty advisor can work with you to explore options, which may include choosing a different major.
- You must complete the major requirements that are in effect in the SPU Undergraduate Catalog for the year you enter the major.
Politics, Philosophy & Economics: Financial Economics (BA)
76 Credits Minimum, Including 34 Upper Division (UD)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Core: Political Science Courses | ||
| POL 1120 | United States Government and Politics | 5 |
| or POL 4450 | United States Constitutional Law | |
| POL 2320 | Comparative Political Systems | 5 |
| or POL 2330 | International Relations | |
| or POL 3440 | War, Peace and World Order | |
| or HIS 3440 | War, Peace & World Order | |
| POL 4640 | Political Theory: From Antiquity to the 21st Century | 5 |
| Section Credits Required | 15 | |
| Required Core: Philosophy Courses | ||
| PHI 1001 | Logic and Critical Thinking | 5 |
| Select 5 credits out of the following: | 5 | |
| Ethics and the Good Life | ||
| Social Ethics | ||
| Science, Technology and Society | ||
| Ancient Philosophy | ||
| Early Modern Philosophy | ||
| Political Philosophy | ||
| Philosophy of Law | ||
| PHI 3651 | Contemporary Ethical Theory | 5 |
| Section Credits Required | 15 | |
| Required Core: Economics Courses | ||
| ECN 2101 | Principles of Microeconomics | 5 |
| ECN 2102 | Principles of Macroeconomics | 5 |
| ECN 3202 | Intermediate Macroeconomics | 5 |
| or ECN 3201 | Intermediate Microeconomics | |
| Section Credits Required | 15 | |
| Required Financial Economics Courses | ||
| ACCT 2361 | Financial Accounting | 5 |
| BUS 3250 | Business Finance | 5 |
| BUS 3251 | Investments | 5 |
| Section Credits Required | 15 | |
| Supporting Courses | ||
| BUS 1700 | Spreadsheets | 1 |
| BUS 2700 | Statistics for Business and Economics | 5 |
| BUS 2910 | Early Career Preparation | 1 |
| BUS 3700 | Quantitative Methods for Decision Making | 5 |
| or POL 4643 | Methods of Political Analysis | |
| BUS 4942 | Early Career Professional Development | 1 |
| ECN 4899 | Capstone in Economics | 3 |
| or BUS 4899 | Business Ethics | |
| or POL 4899 | Political Science Capstone Seminar | |
| Section Credits Required | 16 | |
| Total Credits | 76 | |
Additional Requirements and Information
- New Majors Onboarding
Suggested Course Sequence
This is a sample schedule of sequencing for the Politics, Philosophy, & Economics (PPE) major. The first two years of PPE curriculum lay a foundation of theories, concepts, and competencies, which support upper division and track courses later in your academic career. Be sure to regularly review your degree status check in Banner to make sure you are on track with all of your degree requirements. The minimum credits required is significant and requires careful course planning.
| Freshman | ||
|---|---|---|
| Autumn | Credits | |
| FYS 1000 | First Year Seminar | 3 |
| POL 1120 | United States Government and Politics | 5 |
| WRI 1000 | Academic Inquiry and Writing Seminar | 5 |
| Ways of Knowing in the Arts | 5 | |
| Credits | 18 | |
| Winter | ||
| BUS 1700 | Spreadsheets | 1 |
| BUS 2700 | Statistics for Business and Economics | 5 |
| PHI 1001 | Logic and Critical Thinking | 5 |
| Exploratory Curriculum | 5 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| ECN 2101 | Principles of Microeconomics | 5 |
| TCOR 1000 | The Christian Faith | 5 |
| Ways of Knowing in the Humanities | 5 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Sophomore | ||
| Autumn | ||
| ECN 2102 | Principles of Macroeconomics | 5 |
| TCOR 2000 | Christian Scripture | 5 |
| Ways of Knowing in the Sciences or Major | 5 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Winter | ||
| Apply to major! | ||
| TCOR 2000 | Christian Scripture | 5 |
| Ways of Knowing in the Sciences | 5 | |
| Major | 5 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| BUS 2910 | Early Career Preparation | 1 |
| Major | 10+ | |
| Ways of Engaging | 5 | |
| Credits | 6-16 | |
| Junior | ||
| Autumn | ||
| UCOR 3000 | Faith, Philosophy, and Science | 5 |
| Major | 5 | |
| UD POL Elective | 5 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Winter | ||
| TCOR 3100 | Christian Theology | 5 |
| Major | 10 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| PHI 3651 | Contemporary Ethical Theory | 5 |
| Major | 10+ | |
| Apply to graduate! | ||
| Credits | 5-15 | |
| Any Quarter | ||
| BUS 3700 | Quantitative Methods for Decision Making | 5 |
| UD POL Elective | 5 | |
| Any remaining Exploratory Curriculum | ||
| Credits | 10 | |
| Senior | ||
| Autumn | ||
| ACCT 2361 | Financial Accounting | 5 |
| BUS 4942 | Early Career Professional Development | 1 |
| Major | 10+ | |
| Credits | 6-16 | |
| Winter | ||
| BUS 3250 | Business Finance | 5 |
| POL 4640 | Political Theory: From Antiquity to the 21st Century | 5 |
| Major | 5-8 | |
| Credits | 15-18 | |
| Spring | ||
| BUS 3251 | Investments | 5 |
| Major | 10 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Any Quarter | ||
| BUS 4899 | Business Ethics | 5 |
| Track Courses | ||
| Any remaining Exploratory Curriculum | ||
| Credits | 5 | |
| Total Credits | 171-204 | |
Freshman Notes
- 15 credits of PPE core courses double-count as exploratory “WK” coursework.
- Spreadsheets competency is required for courses early on. Take BUS 1700 Spreadsheets winter or spring quarter.
Sophomore Notes
- If you have not yet applied to the major, apply now! Applications are accepted year round and require good academic standing (2.0 or higher SPU cumulative GPA).
- PHI 3770 Political Philosophy alternative to PHI 1004 The Examined Life (but move to junior or senior year).
- Begin looking for an internship over the summer after your sophomore year. Recruiting often begins 6 to 12 months prior to an internship start date.
Junior Notes
- Concentration courses should be taken when they best fit your schedule.
- Some concentration courses are offered once per year, or in rare instances, once every other year. Plan accordingly.
- Complete a DBG approved internship.
Senior Notes
- Concentration courses should be taken when they best fit your schedule.
- Some concentration courses are offered once per year, or in rare instances, once every other year. Plan accordingly.