Policymakers at all levels of business, government, and the nonprofit sector frequently evaluate complex economic issues, while intelligent citizenship makes increasing demands on an individual’s knowledge of economics. Also, the analytical tools of economics are increasingly important to studies of health care and educational systems, the environment, gender, race discrimination, technology, government behavior, international relations, community development, and other domestic and global issues of public and private life.
History of Economics at Simmons
Economics courses have been offered at Simmons since the college was founded in 1899, but it wasn't until 1966-1967 that the Economics Department was established and economics was offered as a concentration. Until that time, economics was only offered under "Courses of Instruction."
These courses supplemented the requirements for the other areas of concentration at Simmons. Originally, only three economics courses were offered to Simmons students: Principles of Economics, Economic History of the United States, and Practical Economics. The instructors for these courses were Associate Professor Jeffrey Richardson Brackett, Ph.D., Assistant Professor Susan Myra Kingsbury, Ph.D., and Henry Lefavour, Ph.D., LL.D., President of Simmons College.
At the time of the establishment of the Economics Department at Simmons in 1966-1967, the number of courses offered were thirteen with a faculty numbering six in size. Economic concentrators were required to take four specified courses (Contemporary Economic Society, Economic and Social Statistics, Money and Banking, and Intermediate Economic Theory), as well as an additional 12 semester hours of economics electives in order to meet the department requirements for a degree.
The faculty at the time of the establishment of the Economics Department were Paul Raymond Nichols, Ph.D., Professor of Economics and Acting Chair of the Department; Lawrence Smith, A.M., Visiting Professor of Economics; Sumner Maurice Rosen, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Economics; Leonard Joel Kirsh, A.M., Instructor in Economics; and Jennie J. Richmond, A.M., Instructor in Economics.
Advantages of an Economics Degree
Positive Job Outlook
According to the Boston Globe "Employers are putting a premium on communication, leadership, research and analytical skills," which it notes, are more likely to be gained by the strong liberal arts graduate.
Higher Salaries
Formal job market surveys indicate that Economics majors typically receive higher starting salaries than do graduates in less quantitative social sciences or the humanities.
A Strong Internship Program
The Economics Department has a strong internship program which relies on a broad network of contacts with firms across the Boston area that have been developed over many years.
The Simmons Alumnae Network
Each semester the Economics Liaison and Economics Department sponsor a career night which brings alums back to speak to our current majors. In addition, the department has put together a database of Simmons alums willing to help current students.