• Toll free: 1800 258 5772

Governors State University

University Park , Illinois ,United States

Economics, Bachelor of Arts

At Governors State University, we make it a priority to focus on preparing our students for real-world success. We provide an experience with access to high-quality opportunities unlike any other in higher education. The skills and knowledge it takes to compete in the professional world are taught in-depth, and our students learn how to excel with the confidence it takes to succeed in their prospective industries. With an Economics degree from Governors State University, students are prepared to focus on the whole economy, individual businesses, and individual people.

What Is Economics?
Before you can make the decision to get a Bachelor of Arts in Economics, you need to understand what it entails. Economics takes into consideration how individuals and businesses conduct production, distribution, and consumption with the resources they have. It especially focuses on efficiency, using economic and statistical models to analyze different social phenomena.. There are three major sub-fields within Economics  you could study:

International Economics – The study of International Economics explores different countries around the world, including developed and developing economies.
Macroeconomics – The study of Macroeconomics examines  the performance of any economy at the national level. 
Microeconomics – The study of Microeconomics considers individual producers and consumers and their decision-making processes. 

Intakes

  • Jan
  • May
  • Aug

Application Processing Time in Days: 30

Minimum English Language Requirements

English Level Description IELTS (1.0 -9.0) TOEFL IBT (0-120) TOEFL CBT (0-300) PTE (10-90)
Expert 9 120 297-300 86-90
Very Good 8.5 115-119 280-293 83-86
Very Good 8 110-114 270-280 79-83
Good 7.5 102-109 253-267 73-79
Good 7 94-101 240-253 65-73
Competent 6.5 79-93 213-233 58-65
Competent 6 60-78 170-210 50-58
Modest 5.5 46-59 133-210 43-50
Modest 5 35-45 107-133 36-43
Limited 4 32-34 97-103 30-36
Extremely Limited < 4 < 31 < 93 < 30

Job Opportunity Potential

Job Opportunity Potential at Governors State University (GSU)

Chicago Proximity – Located near Chicago, a major hub for business, technology, healthcare, and logistics.

STEM & Business Careers – Strong demand for graduates in Computer Science, Information Technology, Data Analytics, and Business (MBA, Accounting, Finance).

Healthcare Pathways – GSU is well-known for Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Health Administration, with excellent placement in hospitals and clinics.

Internships & Co-ops – Access to internships with Fortune 500 companies and Chicago-based firms in finance, consulting, tech, and manufacturing.

OPT & STEM OPT – Eligible programs provide up to 3 years of work authorization in the U.S. after graduation.

Teaching & Counseling – Education, Social Work, and Counseling programs prepare students for careers in schools, universities, and community organizations.

Government & Non-profit Careers – Public Administration and Leadership graduates often find roles in policy, community development, and NGOs.

Entrepreneurship Support – GSU’s Small Business Development Center helps students start and grow businesses.

Networking – Strong alumni network and career fairs connect students with employers in Illinois and nationwide.

On-Campus Jobs – Opportunities to work up to 20 hours per week while studying.

PSW Opportunity

Post-Study Work visa or permit, allowing international students on F-1 visas to work in the US after completing their studies, typically through Optional Practical Training (OPT).

Eligibility:
To be eligible for OPT, students must have been enrolled full-time in a US educational institution for at least one academic year and be seeking work related to their major.

Duration:
Students can apply for up to 12 months of OPT, either before they finish their studies (pre-completion) or after graduation (post-completion).

STEM OPT:
Students in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields can apply for an extended OPT period of up to 24 months.

Contact our PSA counselor for more information

Admission Requirement / Eligibility Criteria

Official high school transcripts.

Minimum unweighted high school GPA ~ 2.0 on a 4.0 scale. 

ACT or SAT are optional; only taken if you want them considered. 

If you studied in a non-English speaking country, you need credential evaluation by a NACES-member agency. 

English / IELTS & Other Language Proficiency Requirements

  • If your previous education was in a country where English is not the foundational language, you must show English proficiency using one of these: TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, or equivalent test. 
  • Minimum IELTS (Academic) score generally required is 6.0 for both undergrad and graduate admissions. 
  • For TOEFL, minimum overall score for graduate applicants is 80 (internet-based). 
  • For undergraduates, a lower TOEFL minimum is possible (e.g. 68 IBT) or similar, depending on program. 
  • If you don’t meet the required English test scores, GSU offers an Intensive ESL Program as conditional admission / to improve your English before you start academic classes.