The John E. Walker Department of Economics
Why study economics?
Economics provides a framework for analyzing crucial issues in business and government. Economics is also well-suited to answer everyday life questions, ranging from career decisions and retirement planning to parenting and raising children. At its essence, the "economic approach" relies on the fundamental principles of rational choice, which are applied to business decisions, public policy matters and daily interactions in organized and informal markets.
Why Clemson?
The John E. Walker Department of Economics at Clemson provides our majors with strong logical and analytical skills, equipping them for success across various careers. At Clemson, the economics coursework lays a robust foundation for successful careers in business, law and government. Our curriculum also prepares our students for graduate studies in economics, law or related disciplines. Our undergraduate program features various emphasis areas tailored to different career trajectories. These emphasis areas include:
- Strategy and Competition,
- the Economics of Workers, Wages and Human Capital,
- Macroeconomics, Monetary and Financial Markets,
- the Economics of the Public Sector, Law and Economics and the Economics of Institutions,
- Natural Resources and Environmental Economics,
- International Economics, Mathematical Economics and Analytics, and
- Economic History and the History of Economic Thought.
We offer both B.A. and B.S. degrees in economics at the undergraduate level. The B.S. program mainly benefits business students by combining a solid economics foundation with accounting, management, marketing and finance coursework. Alternatively, the B.A. program offers the ability to choose a minor or a second major in various subjects, from mathematics to political science to foreign language and culture. The B.A. degree with a language requirement equips students interested in international business with rigorous training in economics and business, along with valuable knowledge of a foreign language and culture. For students entering the program with college credit, we provide the opportunity to enroll in our Bachelor-to-Graduate program, allowing you to earn both your undergraduate and master's degrees.
Whether one is a conservative or a radical, a protectionist or a free trader, a churchman or a heathen, it is useful to know the causes and consequences of economic phenomena.
- George Stigler
Economics without Price Theory is knowledge without wisdom.
- Steven Landsburg
About John E. Walker
John E. Walker '58 has been both an economics professor and a highly successful entrepreneur. Founder of Andesa TPA Inc., Walker is a pioneer of the information economy whose business vision was a direct outgrowth of his economics training. Because of his belief in the fundamental importance of economics as a field of study and his dedication to Clemson, in October 2001, Walker announced his gift of nearly $7 million to fund the expansion of the department's faculty and the enhancement of its programs. Walker was also instrumental in developing the Walker Golf Course, named after his father, Colonel John E. Walker Sr. '26.
Clemson University values its exceptional faculty, knowing that world-class learning starts with outstanding educators and researchers. To attract and retain leading academic minds, Clemson invests in their scholarship, research and dedication to students. The Power of One fundraising challenge seeks to raise $2.5 million, contributing to a $5 million goal to support professorships within the John E. Walker Department of Economics.
