Economics
Economics encompasses far more than supply and demand. At Bentley, you’ll gain an in-depth understanding of currency systems, monetary theory and consumer behavior. You’ll learn how markets function at both micro (individual) and macro (national or global) levels, and explore mathematical models and statistical techniques you’ll use to interpret economic data, issues and trends. You’ll graduate with broad-based knowledge and strong analytical skills you can employ in a variety of careers in business, government, education, international organizations and non-profit institutions.
Degree Programs
Minor Programs
Economics Elective Booklet
Media highlights Adkins’ research on effects of reproductive legislation
Lecturer Savannah Adkins co-authored an influential article published in JAMA Pediatrics titled “Association Between Restricted Abortion Access and Child Entries Into the Foster Care System.” The study revealed an 11% rise in foster care entries following abortion restrictions, with a particular focus on the disproportionate impact on Black children and children of color. Recognized for its exploration of reproductive legislation’s role in intergenerational poverty, her research has received widespread media attention, including features in CNN, Newsweek and U.S. News & World Report, and garnered Adkins a 2024 Outstanding Scholarly Contribution Award from Bentley University.
Martinez named visiting scholar at Harvard research center
After completing a one-year postdoctoral fellowship with Michael Kremer, a University of Chicago professor and 2019 Nobel laureate in Economics, assistant professor Maria Adelaida Martinez has been invited to join the Harvard Center for International Development (CID) as a visiting scholar.
Martinez will continue leading a randomized controlled trial (RCT) project on school-based mental health programs in Colombia, for which her research team received grants from the Agency Fund and JPAL’s Learning for All Initiative last year. The project aims to improve student well-being, academic outcomes and long-term outcomes by addressing mental health challenges in educational settings.
Gelfer helping to design forecasting models for central banks
Associate Professor Sacha Gelfer is currently partnering with the Bank of Canada (BOC) on its NextGen Modeling Initiative, which is developing the next generation of projection and policy analysis models. His previous work in data-rich macroeconomic modeling is being used as the foundation for the bank’s new forecasting model. The forecasts from these models will be presented to the monetary authority of Canada and used by the BOC when making monetary policy decisions. He has also been a visiting scholar with the Bank of Finland and is conducting a similar project with them.
Courses
Fed Challenge
The College Fed Challenge is an annual monetary policy competition sponsored by the Federal Reserve. Five of the twelve Federal Reserve districts participate in the currently virtual competition. Schools in the other seven districts are combined into an at-large district. Teams of students make a 15 minute presentation that covers the state of the economy and financial markets and then provide recommendations about various dimensions of monetary policy, including the federal funds rate, the Fed’s balance sheet, and communications. After the presentation, teams answer questions from a panel of judges. Learn More
Contact
Dave Gulley
Professor and Department Chair
Adamian Academic Center 189
781.891.2355
GA_economics@bentley.edu
Mia Jepsen
Senior Academic Administrative Assistant
Adamian Academic Center 185
781.891.2429
mjepsen@bentley.edu