Economics Program Switches From BA to BS

By Cindy Lazo | Published by March 28, 2021

The Bachelor of Arts in Economics in the College of Liberal Arts is becoming a Bachelor of Science in the College of Business & Public Management starting in the fall semester.

Margaret McCorry, the associate vice president for University Relations said that the Kean Board of Trustees voted to create a BS in Economics to better prepare students for success in the field

“With a greater focus on Mathematics, Science and Analytics, the new B.S. program in the College of Business and Public Management is a more marketable degree and provides students with the skills demanded in today’s job market.” McCorry said.

The general difference between a B.A. and a B.S. is that while a B.A. focuses on humanities and arts, a B.S. focuses broadly on math and science, according to Dr. Veysel Yucetepe, director of the MBA Program for the Global Business School and Associate Professor of Marketing,

As a result, the changes will impact two tenured Economics faculty who will be retrenched.  Neither professor could be reached for comment.

Kean Federation of Teachers-AFT President James Castiglione said that the KFT was unable to include the Economic faculty in a negotiated settlement last fall that saved the positions of 21 faculty members.

“We were, however, able to get the employment of the two faculty in Economics extended through the end of the spring semester instead of losing their jobs in January,” Dr. Castiglione said, noting that the affected faculty have the right to pursue legal remedies on their own.  “We have continued to advocate for a better resolution for the affected faculty in the weeks and months since we signed the settlement and will continue to do so.”

Dr. Yucetepe said in an interview last month about the new program is more relevant and beneficial to students because it is in line with what companies are looking for now.

“It is good for the job prospect and for the market,” Dr. Yucetepe said.

Dr. Jonathan Mercantini, acting dean of the College of Liberal Arts, said he was not directly involved in the planning, but suggested that enrollment in the Economics program had a factor in the decision.

“I think the concern was that enrollment in the Economics program had been declining and the B.S. program, as I understand it, is a little bit more Math and quantitative heavy” Dr. Mercantini said, “and I guess it was the determination that was the direction that the field was largely going in.”

McCorry said that students who are currently enrolled in the Bachelor of Arts program and graduating this Spring are not impacted by the decision. They will complete their coursework and receive their degrees, she said. She also said that full-time faculty teaching in the B.A. program may apply for positions in the new B.S. in Economics program.

Tower reporter Christian Grullon contributed to this report.

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