MBA Business Economics and Public Policy Major

Requirements for the Major

Pass/Fail elective courses cannot be counted toward the major. Four credit units in Business Economics and Public Policy (BEPP) are required. Students may seek approval to have one of the four credit units be from other departments of The Wharton School or in other schools of the University. Courses in health care, energy, the environment, taxation, and international finance have been approved for the major in the past. An advanced study project (BEPP 893) may be taken as one of the four credit units.

The following courses have been offered in recent years:

  • BEPP 7040: Financing and Managing Government
  • BEPP 7100: Firms, Markets, and Public Policy
  • BEPP 7610: Risk Analysis and Environmental Management
  • BEPP 7630: Energy Markets & Policy
  • BEPP 7700: Public Finance and Policy
  • BEPP 7720: Urban Public Policy and Private Economic Development
  • BEPP 7730: Urban Fiscal Policy
  • BEPP 7890: Nations, Politics, and Markets
  • BEPP 8050: Risk Management
  • BEPP 8110: Risk and Crisis Management
  • BEPP 8120: Markets for Pure Risk
  • BEPP 8230: Business Insurance and Estate Planning
  • BEPP 8240: Social Insurance
  • BEPP 8530: Actuarial Statistics

Dual Major

Many students opt for a dual major. The most common choice is with Finance. Other common dual majors are with Real Estate, Management, Marketing, and Health Care. In most cases, some courses are counted for credit in both majors.

Courses in Area of Interest

International Policy

For students interested in careers in international organizations, government positions involving international commercial affairs, and international corporations.

  • BEPP 7120 Managing Interfirm Strategic Alliances (mini) (MGMT 7120)
  • BEPP 7150 Geopolitics (mini) (MGMT 7150)
  • BEPP 7700 Public Finance and Policy
  • BEPP 7730 Urban Fiscal Policy
  • BEPP 7770 Cost Benefit Analysis
  • BEPP 7880 International Industrial Development Strategies
  • BEPP 7890 Nations, Politics, and Markets
  • BEPP 7900 Technology in Global Markets (mini)
  • BEPP 7980 Privatization: An International Perspective

Domestic Policy

For students interested in careers in consulting firms or governmental organizations specializing in regulatory authorities, public finance, or urban economic policy, and in private sector business.

  • BEPP 7100 Firms, Markets, and Public Policy
  • BEPP 7120 Managing Interfirm Strategic Alliances (mini) (MGMT 7120)
  • BEPP 7320 Telecoms & Internet Strategy and Policy (mini) (MGMT 7320)
  • BEPP 7610 Risk Analysis: Environmental Management (OPIM 7610)
  • BEPP 7630 Energy Markets and Policy
  • BEPP 7700 Public Finance and Policy
  • BEPP 7720 Urban Public Policy and Private Economic Development (REAL 7720)
  • BEPP 7730 Urban Fiscal Policy (FNCE 7300, REAL 7300)
  • BEPP 7770 Cost Benefit Analysis
  • BEPP 7840 Managerial Economics and Game Theory (mini) (MGMT 7840)
  • BEPP 7900 Technology in Global Markets (mini)

Currently enrolled Wharton MBA students may contact Professor Smetters or Professor Toikka for more information.

Wharton MBA Program
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