Economics Major
The economics major includes a number of courses from the MECN, PACT, and STRT labels tied together by a focus on economic methodology and applications. The economics major is useful for those interested in careers in consulting, general management, technology, or in regulated industries. In addition, the major is helpful for those desiring additional depth and economic perspective to complement majors such as finance, marketing, strategy or operations.
Major requirements are determined by the quarter you began your Kellogg MBA program. Any new courses and adjustments to the major displayed in the most recent academic year can be applied to previously matriculated students.
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    A student must earn at least four credits (in any combination of half- and full-credit courses) from the courses listed below to complete the major. Only one lab credit can count toward the major. Only one independent study credit can count toward the major. At least two non-lab, non-independent study credits must have the MECN prefix. Foundational courses- Data, Models, and Decisions
 MECN-451-0
- Game Theory and Strategic Decisions
 MECN-452-0
- Big Data Advanced Analytics Workshop
 MECN-935-0
 Economics of firms- Competitive Strategy and Industrial Structure 
 MECN-441-0
- Pricing Strategies 
 MECN-446-0
- Antitrust Economics 
 MECN-926-5
- Behavioral Economics and Competitive Strategy 
 MECN-943-0
- Ethics and Leadership
 PACT-460-0
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    Ethics and Leadership (half-credit)
 PACT-460-5
- Strategy and Organization 
 STRT-452-0
 Economic policy- Public Economics for Business Leaders: Federal Policy 
 PACT-470-0
- Public Economics for Business Leaders: State and Local Policy 
 PACT-480-0
- Geo-economics
 MECN-925-5
 Lab courses- Analytical and AI Consulting Lab
 MECN-615-0
- The Influential and Impactful Data Leader
 MECN-938-5
 Independent study- Field Study
 DECS-498
- Field Study (Half-credit)
 DECS-498-5
- Independent Study
 DECS-499
- Independent Study (Half-credit)
 DECS-499-5
- Field Study
 MECN-498
- Field Study (Half-credit)
 MECN-498-5
- Independent Study
 MECN-499
- Independent Study (Half-credit)
 MECN-499-5
 Last edited June 3, 2025. For any questions regarding this page, please email kellogg-registrar@kellogg.northwestern.edu. 
- Data, Models, and Decisions
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    A student must earn at least four credits (in any combination of half- and full-credit courses) from the courses listed below to complete the major. Only one lab credit can count toward the major. Only one independent study credit can count toward the major. At least two non-lab, non-independent study credits must have the MECN prefix. Foundational courses- Data, Models, and Decisions
 MECN-451-0
- Game Theory and Strategic Decisions
 MECN-452-0
- Making Business Decisions with Big Data
 MECN-935-0
 Economics of firms- Competitive Strategy and Industrial Structure 
 MECN-441-0
- Pricing Strategies 
 MECN-446-0
- Antitrust Economics 
 MECN-926-5
- Behavioral Economics and Competitive Strategy 
 MECN-943-0
- Ethics and Leadership
 PACT-460-0
- 
    Ethics and Leadership (half-credit)
 PACT-460-5
- Strategy and Organization 
 STRT-452-0
 Economic policy- Public Economics for Business Leaders: Federal Policy 
 PACT-470-0
- Public Economics for Business Leaders: State and Local Policy 
 PACT-480-0
 Lab courses- Analytical Consulting Lab
 MECN-615-0
 Independent study- Field Study
 DECS-498
- Field Study (Half-credit)
 DECS-498-5
- Independent Study
 DECS-499
- Independent Study (Half-credit)
 DECS-499-5
- Field Study
 MECN-498
- Field Study (Half-credit)
 MECN-498-5
- Independent Study
 MECN-499
- Independent Study (Half-credit)
 MECN-499-5
 Last edited May 15, 2024. For any questions regarding this page, please email kellogg-registrar@kellogg.northwestern.edu. 
- Data, Models, and Decisions
- 
    A student must earn at least four credits (in any combination of half- and full-credit courses) from the courses listed below to complete the major. Only one lab credit can count toward the major. Only one independent study credit can count toward the major. At least two non-lab, non-independent study credits must have the MECN prefix. Foundational courses- Data, Models, and Decisions
 MECN-451-0
- Game Theory and Strategic Decisions
 MECN-452-0
- Big Data Advanced Analytics Workshop
 MECN-935-0
 Economics of firms- Competitive Strategy and Industrial Structure 
 MECN-441-0
- Pricing Strategies 
 MECN-446-0
- Antitrust Economics 
 MECN-926-5
- Behavioral Economics and Competitive Strategy 
 MECN-943-0
- Ethics and Leadership
 PACT-460-0
- Strategy and Organization 
 STRT-452-0
 Economic policy- Public Economics for Business Leaders: Federal Policy 
 PACT-470-0
- Public Economics for Business Leaders: State and Local Policy 
 PACT-480-0
 Lab courses- Analytical Consulting Lab
 MECN-615-0
 Independent study- Field Study
 DECS-498
- Field Study (Half-credit)
 DECS-498-5
- Independent Study
 DECS-499
- Independent Study (Half-credit)
 DECS-499-5
- Field Study
 MECN-498
- Field Study (Half-credit)
 MECN-498-5
- Independent Study
 MECN-499
- Independent Study (Half-credit)
 MECN-499-5
 Last edited July 21, 2023. For any questions regarding this page, please email kellogg-registrar@kellogg.northwestern.edu. 
- Data, Models, and Decisions
- 
    A student must earn at least four credits (in any combination of half- and full-credit courses) from the courses listed below to complete the major. Only one lab credit can count toward the major. Only one independent study credit can count toward the major. At least two non-lab, non-independent study credits must have the MECN prefix. Foundational courses- Data, Models, and Decisions
 MECN-451-0
- Game Theory and Strategic Decisions
 MECN-452-0
- Making Business Decisions with Big Data
 MECN-935-0
 Economics of firms- Competitive Strategy and Industrial Structure 
 MECN-441-0
- Pricing Strategies 
 MECN-446-0
- Antitrust Economics 
 MECN-926-5
- Behavioral Economics and Competitive Strategy 
 MECN-943-0
- Ethics and Leadership
 PACT-460-0
- Strategy and Organization 
 STRT-452-0
 Economic policy- Public Economics for Business Leaders: Federal Policy 
 PACT-470-0
- Public Economics for Business Leaders: State and Local Policy 
 PACT-480-0
 Lab courses- Analytical Consulting Lab
 MECN-615-0
 Independent study- Field Study
 DECS-498
- Field Study (Half-credit)
 DECS-498-5
- Independent Study
 DECS-499
- Independent Study (Half-credit)
 DECS-499-5
- Field Study
 MECN-498
- Field Study (Half-credit)
 MECN-498-5
- Independent Study
 MECN-499
- Independent Study (Half-credit)
 MECN-499-5
 Last edited Jan. 31, 2023. For any questions regarding this page, please email kellogg-registrar@kellogg.northwestern.edu. 
- Data, Models, and Decisions
- 
    A student must earn at least four credits (in any combination of half- and full-credit courses) from the courses listed below to complete the major. Only one lab credit can count toward the major. Only one independent study credit can count toward the major. At least two non-lab, non-independent study credits must have the MECN prefix. Foundational courses- Decision Making and Modeling
 MECN-451-0
- Game Theory and Strategic Decisions
 MECN-452-0
- Making Business Decisions with Big Data
 MECN-935-0
 Economics of firms- Ethics and Leadership
 PACT-460-0
- Competitive Strategy and Industrial Structure
 MECN-441-0
- Pricing Strategies
 MECN-446-0
- Strategy and Organization
 STRT-452-0
- Antitrust Economics
 MECN-926-5
 Economic policy- Public Economics for Business Leaders: Federal Policy
 PACT-470-0
- Public Economics for Business Leaders: State and Local Policy
 PACT-480-0
 Lab courses- Analytical Consulting Lab
 MECN-615-0
 Independent Study- Independent Study
 DECS-499
- Independent Study (Half-credit)
 DECS-499-5
- Independent Study
 MECN-499
- Independent Study (Half-credit)
 MECN-499-5
- Field Study
 DECS-498
- Field Study (Half-credit)
 DECS-498-5
- Field Study
 MECN-498
- Field Study (Half-credit)
 MECN-498-5
 Last edited July 7, 2021. For any questions regarding this page, please email kellogg-registrar@kellogg.northwestern.edu. 
- Decision Making and Modeling
- 
    A student must earn at least four credits (in any combination of half- and full-credit courses) from the courses listed below to complete the major. Only one lab credit can count toward the major. Only one independent study credit can count toward the major. At least two non-lab credits must have the MECN prefix. Foundational courses- Decision Making and Modeling 
 MECN-451-0
- Game Theory and Strategic Decisions 
 MECN-452-0
- Making Business Decisions with Big Data
 MECN-935-0
 Economics of firms- Ethics and Leadership
 KPPI-460-0
- Competitive Strategy and Industrial Structure
 MECN-441-0
- Pricing Strategies
 MECN-446-0
- Strategy and Organization
 STRT-452-0
- Antitrust Economics
 MECN-926-5
 Economic policy- Public Economics for Business Leaders: Federal Policy
 KPPI-470-0
- Public Economics for Business Leaders: State and Local Policy
 KPPI-480-0
 Lab courses- Analytical Consulting Lab
 MECN-615-0
 Independent study- Independent Study
 DECS-499
- Independent Study (Half-credit)
 DECS-499-5
- Independent Study
 MECN-499
- Independent Study (Half-credit)
 MECN-499-5
- Field Study
 DECS-498
- Field Study (Half-credit)
 DECS-498-5
- Field Study
 MECN-498
- Field Study (Half-credit)
 MECN-498-5
 Last edited May 18, 2020. For any questions regarding this page, please email kellogg-registrar@kellogg.northwestern.edu. 
- Decision Making and Modeling 
- 
    A student must earn at least four credits (in any combination of half- and full-credit courses) from the courses listed below to complete the major. Only one lab credit can count toward the major. Only one independent study credit can count toward the major. At least two non-lab credits must have the MECN prefix. Foundational courses- Decision Making and Modeling
 MECN-451-0
- Game Theory and Strategic Decisions
 MECN-452-0
- Making Business Decisions with Big Data
 MECN-935-0
 Economics of firms- Ethics and Leadership
 KPPI-460-0
- Competitive Strategy and Industrial Structure
 MECN-441-0
- Pricing Strategies
 MECN-446-0
- Strategy and Organization
 STRT-452-0
 Economic policy- Public Economics for Business Leaders: Federal Policy
 KPPI-470-0
- Public Economics for Business Leaders: State and Local Policy
 KPPI-480-0
 Lab courses- Analytical Consulting Lab
 MECN-615-0
- Risk Lab
 MECN-620-0
 Independent study- Independent Study
 DECS-499
- Independent Study (Half-credit)
 DECS-499-5
- Independent Study
 MECN-499
- Independent Study (Half-credit)
 MECN-499-5
- Field Study
 DECS-498
- Field Study (Half-credit)
 DECS-498-5
- Field Study
 MECN-498
- Field Study (Half-credit)
 MECN-498-5
 Last edited July 25, 2019. For any questions regarding this page, please email kellogg-registrar@kellogg.northwestern.edu. 
- Decision Making and Modeling
- 
    A student must earn at least four credits (in any combination of half- and full-credit courses) from the courses listed below to complete the major. Only one lab credit can count toward the major. Only one independent study credit can count toward the major. At least two non-lab credits must have the MECN prefix. Foundational courses- Decision Making and Modeling
 MECN-451-0
- Game Theory and Strategic Decisions
 MECN-452-0
 Economics of firms- Ethics and Leadership
 KPPI-460-0
- Competitive Strategy and Industrial Structure
 MECN-441-0
- Pricing Strategies
 MECN-446-0
- Strategy and Organization
 STRT-452-0
 Economic policy- Public Economics for Business Leaders: Federal Policy
 KPPI-470-0
- Public Economics for Business Leaders: State and Local Policy
 KPPI-480-0
 Lab courses- Analytical Consulting Lab
 MECN-615-0
- Risk Lab
 MECN-620-0
 Independent study- Independent Study
 DECS-499
- Independent Study (Half-credit)
 DECS-499-5
- Independent Study
 MECN-499
- Independent Study (Half-credit)
 MECN-499-5
- Field Study
 DECS-498
- Field Study (Half-credit)
 DECS-498-5
- Field Study
 MECN-498
- Field Study (Half-credit)
 MECN-498-5
 Last edited Sept. 10, 2018. For any questions regarding this page, please email kellogg-registrar@kellogg.northwestern.edu. 
- Decision Making and Modeling
- 
    A student must earn at least four credits (in any combination of half- and full-credit courses) from the courses listed below to complete the major. Only one lab credit can count toward the major. Only one independent study credit can count toward the major. At least two non-lab credits must have the MECN prefix. Foundational courses- Decision Making and Modeling (formerly designated DECS-450-0)
 MECN-451-0
- Game Theory and Strategic Decisions (formerly designated DECS-452-0)
 MECN-452-0
 Economics of firms- Values Based Leadership
 KPPI-460-0
- Competitive Strategy and Industrial Structure
 MECN-441-0
- Pricing Strategies
 MECN-446-0
- Strategy and Organization (formerly designated MGMT-452)
 STRT-452-0
 Economic policy- Public Economics for Business Leaders: Federal Policy
 KPPI-470-0
- Public Economics for Business Leaders: State and Local Policy
 KPPI-480-0
 Lab courses- Analytical Consulting Lab (formerly designated DECS-915)
 MECN-915-0
- Risk Lab (formerly designated DECS-920)
 MECN-920-0
 Independent study- Field Study
 MECN-498-0
- Independent Study
 MECN-499-0
 Last edited Feb. 26, 2018. For any questions regarding this page, please email kellogg-registrar@kellogg.northwestern.edu. 
- Decision Making and Modeling (formerly designated DECS-450-0)
- 
    A student must earn at least four credits (in any combination of half- and full-credit courses) from the courses listed below to complete the major. Only one lab credit can count toward the major. Only one independent study credit can count toward the major. At least two non-lab credits must have either the DECS or MECN prefix. Foundational courses- Decision Making and Modeling
 DECS-450-0
- Game Theory and Strategic Decisions
 DECS-452-0
 Economics of firms- Values Based Leadership
 KPPI-460-0
- Competitive Strategy and Industrial Structure
 MECN-441-0
- Pricing Strategies
 MECN-446-0
- Strategy and Organization (formerly designated MGMT-452)
 STRT-452-0
 Economic policy- Public Economics for Business Leaders: Federal Policy
 KPPI-470-0
- Public Economics for Business Leaders: State and Local Policy
 KPPI-480-0
- Macroeconomics (currently inactive)
 MECN-450-0
 Lab courses- Analytical Consulting Lab
 DECS-915-0
- Risk Lab
 DECS-920-0
 Independent studyLast edited December 2016. For any questions regarding this page, please email kellogg-registrar@kellogg.northwestern.edu. 
- Decision Making and Modeling
- 
    A student must earn at least four credits (in any combination of half- and full-credit courses) from the courses listed below to complete the major. Only one lab credit can count toward the major. Only one independent study credit can count toward the major. At least two non-lab credits must have either the DECS or MECN prefix. Foundational courses- Decision Making and Modeling
 DECS-450-0
- Game Theory and Strategic Decisions
 DECS-452-0
 Economics of firms- Values Based Leadership
 KPPI-460-0
- Competitive Strategy and Industrial Structure
 MECN-441-0
- Pricing Strategies
 MECN-446-0
- Strategy and Organization (formerly designated MGMT-452)
 STRT-452-0
 Economic policy- Public Economics for Business Leaders: Federal Policy
 KPPI-470-0
- Public Economics for Business Leaders: State and Local Policy
 KPPI-480-0
- Macroeconomics (currently inactive)
 MECN-450-0
 Lab courses- Analytical Consulting Lab
 DECS-915-0
- Risk Lab
 DECS-920-0
 Independent studyLast edited December 2016. For any questions regarding this page, please email kellogg-registrar@kellogg.northwestern.edu. 
- Decision Making and Modeling