Bachelor of Arts, Major in Economics

at University of Massachusetts Dartmouth USA

French is a language rich in literary and cultural traditions. An official language in 29 countries, for all United Nations agencies, and for the European Union, French remains one of the top three most useful languages for business.

As a French major at UMass Dartmouth, you'll study the culture, language, and literature of the French-speaking world. You'll develop proficiency in speaking, listening, reading, writing, and cross-cultural communication as you explore topics in areas such as linguistics, civilization, film, cultural diversity, equality, political rights, social justice, and the entertainment industry.

A degree in French will prepare you for careers, including digital media, entertainment, business, law, justice, communications, education, hospitality, travel, government service, international development and aid, journalism, publishing, linguistics, social services, translation and interpreting. We also offer teacher preparation for students who are interested in teaching French at the middle or high school level. Learn more about teacher preparation.

Students are strongly encouraged to consider combining the French major with another minor, double majoring, combining a French minor with another major, or choosing the French concentration as part of the Liberal Arts major.

The bachelor’s degree in Economics with a concentration in Healthcare Services Administration is for anyone interested in a career as a manager or supervisor in the healthcare field. This degree is a great option for healthcare professionals with an associate's degree who want to advance their careers as managers or supervisors. The program is also well suited to students looking to work in the healthcare industry with a focus on operations, administration, and management rather than the science-focused aspects of this profession.

Healthcare administration professionals make decisions every day that help improve the lives of their patients. They are often responsible for managing health records, communicating new policies, coordinating with doctors and nurses, and ensuring compliance with healthcare laws and regulations.

The field of healthcare administration is growing fast, and so is the demand for qualified candidates to fill the growing number of jobs. Employers seek candidates with very specific credentials in the field.

We'll help you gain the practical skills necessary for intelligent decision-making and administration in healthcare. You will be able to:

• Create evaluative techniques
• Design and implement budgets
• Develop quantitative skills
• Evaluate management goals
• Use theoretical concepts of social dynamics
• Research healthcare and economic issues
• Manage healthcare staff

Do you dream of exploring the ocean environment, conserving species, and understanding the complexity of marine organisms? UMass Dartmouth's Biology department offers a bachelor's degree in biology with an option in marine biology.

When you study marine biology at UMass Dartmouth, you begin with a solid foundation in fundamental biological principles and practices. Then you'll focus on your specific interests, from the biology of sharks and fishes to marine ecology.

Our faculty's research interests in marine and coastal biology place them at the forefront of their fields, from molecular and cellular biology to marine and terrestrial ecology.

We emphasize field and laboratory opportunities, so you will learn marine biology while studying living organisms. Our nearby coastal environments will be your living laboratories.

You'll be prepared for employment in biological oceanography, ecology, education, fisheries biology, industry, marine biology, project management, and research fields. With a strong background in fundamental biological principles and practices, you'll be prepared for graduate study in marine biology and related disciplines.

The Charlton College of Business Master of Science in Finance (MSF) program provides advanced and affordable education in finance for those with finance, business or non-business baccalaureate degrees. The MSF program is a high-quality, well-rounded program designed to prepare students to be competitive, market-ready, and successful in a rapidly changing global environment.

The MSF is a 10-course, 30-credit degree program. Students will be prepared to pursue nationally and globally recognized credentials, including the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation. Our program covers the major topic areas of the CFA exams, so graduates will have a strong foundation from which to draw while completing required exams.

Quantitative finance concentration

• The quantitative finance concentration has mathematical and capital market focus that will appeal to students interested in quantitative financial analysis, risk management, investment management, and financial technology careers. The quantitative finance concentration is STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) designated, offering students on a VISA an extended OPT upon completion of the degree.

Prepare for a career in graphic design by learning how to communicate visually.

You’ll develop your talents and skills to achieve a high level of professional ability, while pursuing your own creative goals. The BFA in Art + Design: Graphic Design will prepare you for the many career opportunities available in contemporary design practice.

The BFA is a professional degree with concentrated areas of specialization, so you will take more art and design courses than you would in a BA program. At UMass Dartmouth, you also have the advantages of a university education where you can diversify your studies and expand your career opportunities by exploring fields such as business, sustainability, writing/communication, computer science, and many more.

Our faculty—who are also professionals in their fields—will teach you how to:

• Research and analyze content as part of the design process
• Work within the context of the message, audience, environment, and technology
• Develop graphic translations such as symbols, books, posters, and interactive media
• Create art with a purpose

The need for advanced degrees in civil and environmental engineering is both regional and global.

UMassD's Master of Science in Civil & Environmental Engineering provides professionals with the skills needed to handle today's challenges, with opportunities to specialize in:

• Structural and geotechnical engineering
• Environmental and water resources engineering
• Transportation engineering

Through faculty consulting and student projects, the civil and environmental engineering program has forged strong bonds in southeastern Massachusetts, one of the state's fastest-growing regions. The program:

• Contributes to the growth of regional industries, businesses, and governmental agencies
• Addresses problems related to development and infrastructure
• Provides an accessible source of graduate education for the region's engineering employees

Faculty also address environmental problems that impact economic development, including:

• Water quality and quantity issues
• Lake eutrophication
• Hazardous waste handling
• Preservation of the ecological health of the bays
• Industrial wastewater treatment
• Solid waste handling
• Leachate collection and treatment

The program offers:

• Small classes
• Close contact with faculty who have a diverse set of research interests and industry experiences
• Access to well-supported research facilities
• State-of-the-art computational and experimental research facilities
• Opportunities for full-time or part-time study
• Convenient class schedule for students who are employed

Philosophy will appeal to your sense of curiosity about the world, as you explore topics such as justice, knowledge, reality, and truth: the ideas that have shaped our world over time.

Yet the study of philosophy also prepares you for many challenges, as you analyze and evaluate the ideas of others, and clarify and defend your own ideas.

You will develop problem solving abilities, communication skills, persuasive powers, and writing skills—skills needed to develop a rewarding career and a meaningful life.

With its emphasis on logic, analysis, and clarity of thought, philosophy is an excellent preparation for professional fields such as artificial intelligence, business, communications, government, information sciences, law, medicine, public relations, and writing—as well as graduate study in philosophy, theology, and many other disciplines.

As a photography major, you will gain expertise in both traditional and digital techniques and explore photographic imagery in all contexts. When you pursue your BFA in Art + Design: Photography, you will develop your own photographic vision and deepen your expressive communication.

The BFA is a professional degree with concentrated areas of specialization, so you will take more art courses than you would in a BA program. At UMass Dartmouth, you also have the advantages of a university education where you can diversify your studies and expand your career opportunities.

Your studies will include:

• Black & white darkroom photography
• Color digital imaging & printing
• Large format photography
• Studio lighting
• Video
• The history of photography
• Contemporary practice

Your work will culminate in a gallery exhibition and a portfolio that demonstrates your individual style, technical proficiency, and aesthetic sophistication.

A degree in photography will prepare you for a career as a fine art and commercial photographer, photojournalist, videographer, photo editor, gallery or museum director, curator, image consultant, multimedia designer, photo educator, photo archivist, studio manager, filmmaker, web designer, lab technician, and professional printer.

At UMass Dartmouth, the data science major is an interdisciplinary, integrating mathematics and computer science with disciplines such as business, engineering, healthcare, planning, science, and sociology.

Data scientists manage, mine, and analyze big data across multiple disciplines—and use computational thinking to gain new knowledge and solve real-world problems of high complexity.

As a data science major, you’ll build a strong foundation in information theory and in the methods and tools of mathematics and computer science. You’ll gain skills in complex problem solving, data-driven discovery, decision support, machine learning, predictive and visual analytics, and statistics.

You’ll be prepared for leadership positions in data analytics, discovery informatics, information management, and knowledge engineering. Businesses, government, healthcare, and the natural and social sciences need more data scientists to explore and explain complex information.

Focus your studies on international affairs. The Political Science Department offers a BA degree in political science with a concentration in international politics.

The International Politics Concentration promotes critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity with respect to international politics; it enables students to address global issues and contribute to the public good.

Building on a strong foundation of American and comparative politics, international relations, and political theory, the international politics concentration provides you with the knowledge and analytical skills to understand politics within other countries and politics among countries.

Through experiences in and out of the classroom, you’ll learn to address critical global issues and contribute to the public good. You’ll acquire proficiency in writing, communication, advocacy, and comparative analysis: all vital skills in today’s global workplace.

You’ll be prepared for careers in international business, development, and diplomacy, and to continue your education at the graduate level.