ECONOMICS

The Graduate School of Management's Bachelor of Arts in Economics is designed to train students to acquire a deeper and sophisticated knowledge in the economic analysis of markets and financial institutions. The course is fully conducted in English to encourage cooperation within a bilingual environment, and interaction among students from different countries and the teaching staff, who are recruited from internationally recognized academic institutions as well as business organizations within the financial sector.

Course objectives

The Graduate School of Management's Bachelor of Arts in Economics is designed to train students to acquire a deeper and sophisticated knowledge in the economic analysis of markets and financial institutions. The course is fully conducted in English to encourage cooperation within a bilingual environment, and interaction among students from different countries and the teaching staff, who are recruited from internationally recognized academic institutions as well as business organizations within the financial sector.

This program is also meant to provide prospective economic students with a body of knowledge and skills in quantitative analysis, and the development of sustainable economic policies for emerging markets, which will increase their employment opportunities, prepare them for entry level careers in the private sector, public institutions and international organizations such the African Development Bank (AfDB). After the four-year program, students graduate with an internationally recognized qualification which will enable them to progress to supervisory and managerial positions at a later stage in their career. Upon completion of the curriculum for the Bachelor of Arts in Economics, a student must be able to:

• Demonstrate a sound understanding of the Ivorian economy, emerging economies in Africa, developed economies across the world, financial markets and how financial institutions function within these domains.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the key theoretical models in micro, macro and econometrics.
• Understand the peculiar challenges of emerging economies and apply both economic theory and the statistical tools of economics to solve industrial and developmental problems or questions.
• Appreciate economic planning, organize, interpret and analyze economic data and policies.
• Develop economic research and analytical skills to help them formulate, model, test, evaluate hypotheses, and communicate new ideas regarding economic issues.
• Develop the requisite foundation to pursue graduate level studies and/or a career in economics.

Career Progression

This course will expose prospective students to the economic way of thinking, so that they can think and act like economists and exert influence in the workplace, enabling them to succeed internationally in careers oriented with development, governance, economic policy formulation and planning, finance, entrepreneurship and consumer markets. The B.A program in economics would therefore help graduates to gain a competitive edge and drive their careers forward, it and may also assist in a career change, attracting high paying job offers, improving promotion prospects or simply broaden their horizons and increase their marketability.

Employment opportunities

Graduates of the Economics program can expect to competently perform in entry and middle positions in the following areas: Economic management and planning, Finance, Business Analysis, Portfolio Management, Investment Consulting, Brokerage, Grant Monitoring, Market Research, Non-profit Organizations etc.

Structure

This is a 4-year [8-semester] Bachelor of Business Administration degree with specialization in Human Resource Management, Accounting & Finance, Marketing, and Management. Each year has two semesters. The BBA program covers course work and a long essay/project work. Courses have three minimum credits. The long essay/project work has 6 credits. Each semester's load will range between 15 and 21 credits. The total minimum number of credits for graduation is 120.

Degree Requirements

The Bachelor of Business Administration prepares graduates for a wide range of managerial positions in business, government and non-profit organizations. Business administration students acquire fundamental as well as practical and professional skills in all phases of business including decision-making and problem-solving capabilities.
The BBA program offers area of concentrations that enable students to tailor their degrees to their career and educational goals. Specializations are available in Accounting & Finance, Management, Human Resource Management and Marketing. All students seeking the BBA degree must complete all courses required for graduation including final project work