The Economics Program at Bard trains students to think critically about the economy and its social, political, and historical context. The curriculum spans different paradigms, from ecological economics to Post-Keynesian economics, and different methodologies, from economic history to game theory. Small classes, encouragement of student research, and close interaction with the Levy Economics Institute, located on campus, are distinctive features of the Bard economics experience.
Economics Degrees at Bard
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The Bard Economics Program emphasizes the policy applications of economic theory at the local, national, and global levels. A wide range of courses in economic theory, research, history, and thought are regularly offered.
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In keeping with the College’s long history of curricular innovation, qualified economics students earn both a liberal arts degree (BA) and a professional degree (MS) in five years.
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For students who wish to pursue a career in the financial world, Bard offers a five-year program leading to a BS degree in economics and finance and a BA degree in any other program.
Faculty Spotlight
Bard Economist Pavlina Tcherneva Discusses Capitalism, Socialism, and Saving the Middle Class on WNYC’s Brian Lehrer Show
“There’s no such thing as pure capitalism. I think what we’re looking at is trying to understand the role of government and the extent of that role. Because even when you think of a free market economy, we have a lot of socialized [services]—think of veteran benefits, veteran health insurance. [...] The way I see it is that if we want to have an economy that is a little more stable—and that’s a market economy—we need to be able to provide some basic provisions to deal with economic security.”