Business Economics and Public Policy

The Business Economics and Public Policy field is concerned with the continuing business-government dialogue that leads to effective decision-making and equitable relations between the private and public sectors of society. The economic and social foundations of government programs and regulatory activity are studied to establish a basis for developing and evaluating effective business responses.

The field is designed to develop understanding and skills useful for a wide variety of positions in business, public, and not-for-profit organizations. Students deepen their understanding of the social and legal environment that influence business and its relationships with government at all levels. Students also receive strong in-depth training in micro- and macroeconomic analysis. This key element of the field prepares students to perform rigorous and sophisticated analyses of the economic impacts of policy decisions on public, private, and not-for-profit organizations.

The field is also designed to ensure that students understand the workings of political systems and institutions, particularly the U.S. federal government. This understanding includes recognizing not only what government can do and achieve, but also the limits of its power and the role of private interests in driving political decision-making in Congress and in federal agencies.