Economics

In 2025, Economics captured the attention of many, and at NoSeQueEstudiar we detected huge interest among students in economics and in understanding what is studied in this degree, an interest that deepened with the prominence of president and economist Javier Milei. Today, more and more people want to learn about economics or even study the degree, and questions arise such as: what does an economist do?, where does he work?, how does an economist think? That is why we set out to research academic programs, talked with professionals and tried out some courses firsthand. Below we share references, materials, books, economists, academies, institutions and finally courses that can help you discover if the economics degree is also for you.

We started with a process of searching for references and arrived at the profile of Johan Norberg who is a Swedish writer and analyst recognized for his defense of the free market, globalization and individual freedom, we read The Capitalist Manifesto, (it shows how the market economy, founded on freedom and cooperation, has driven progress and lifted millions out of poverty) and from there we discovered Cato, an excellent source to follow and listen to good analysis, on economic topics and high-quality reading materials such as Free Society, a quarterly magazine from the Instituto Cato that spreads ideas of individual freedom, limited government, free market and peace, we also closely follow Research Briefs in Economic Policy. Each week, this weekly bulletin from academic economists (such as Jeffrey Miron) summarizes research on economic policies.

How does an economist think?

It was also in that search that we found one of the most recommended reading materials for those considering studying Economics: the book “Lessons for the Young Economist” by Dr. Robert P. Murphy. It is a clear introduction to the fundamental concepts of economic thought, from human action and subjective value to capital, inflation and business cycles, highlighting the role of freedom. It is available in Spanish and in several languages on the Mises Institute website.

For those who prefer learning by watching or listening, there is also the video course Lessons for the Young Economist from Mises Academy taught by Dr. Jonathan Newman. Exploring these resources can give you a first idea of what studying Economics means, what kind of thinking an economist develops, and how that perspective connects with real-world problems and decisions.

For the future economist seeking to understand the profound influence of economics on society, the book by Jeffery L. Degner—economics professor at Cornerstone University and author—, "The Impact of Inflationary Institutions and Habits on Family Life", is essential. This book shows how inflationary monetary policies create an "inflation culture" which, by normalizing debt and sharpening inequality, reshapes vital decisions about marriage, birth rates, and family breakdown.

The educational offering:

In general the curriculum for the degree includes training in economic theory, market analysis, finance, trade, history of economic thought and foundations of human action in society. Through an analytical and logical approach, the student learns to understand the role of knowledge, innovation and entrepreneurship in the functioning of a free and dynamic economy.

Courses and Workshops (Weeks to a few months): For example on Mises Academy you have several virtual courses in English: Lessons for the young Economist with Jonathan Newman, Why Capitalism with Dr. David Gordon, Money and Banking by Bagus, Salerno, Rothbard, Development Economics: An Austrian Perspective by G.P. Manish, Competition and Monopoly by Peter G. Klein, Themes from Ludwig von Mises's Socialism with David Gordon, The progressive Era by Patrick Newman, Austrian Macroeconomics with Dr. Joseph T. Salerno, Austrian Economics for Managers by Peter G. Klein, Anatomy of the Fed with Dr. Robert P. Murphy, etc. Short and specific programs from George Mason University, are undergraduate courses ECON 103 (Microeconomics) and ECON 104 (Macroeconomics) are fundamental introductions to economic principles applied to current problems.

Diploma Programs: The diploma and course programs of the Instituto de Economía at the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile offer advanced theoretical and practical training in various economic areas, aimed at professionals from the public and private sectors and NGOs, and taught by academics and experts with extensive experience, for example the Company Experiments Course, which teaches you to use controlled tests to measure the real impact of the strategies your organization implements. The Diploma in Fundamentals of Applied Economics provides training in key tools to analyze the main microeconomic and macroeconomic problems of the real world. The Diploma in Impact Evaluation of Programs and Public Policies trains professionals and researchers from the public and private sectors in the design and implementation of rigorous impact evaluations for social programs and public policies.

University Degrees (4 or 5 years): They offer a solid foundation in microeconomics, macroeconomics and econometrics, opening doors to sectors such as consulting, banking, data analysis or market research. Some leading universities in Latin America for the Bachelor's Degree in Economics: the UB, the UNAM or the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (PUC)

Master's Degrees and Graduate Programs (1-2 years): They allow specialization in fields such as Health Economics, Economic Development, Environmental Economics, Finance or Public Policy, preparing professionals for more advanced roles. Examples include the Master's in Applied Economics which is a two-year professional program that provides its graduates with solid foundations and advanced skills in applied economics, preparing them for high-impact roles in public policy, finance and macroeconomics, both nationally and internationally. The Master's in Applied Economics at the Universidad Austral trains professionals with a solid foundation to diagnose, evaluate and solve economic problems with technical rigor and ethics. The Micro-Master's in Data Science Applied to Economics and Business at the Facultad de Ciencias Económicas - UNCUYO: This micro-master's trains students in data science with a practical approach to solving complex problems and boosting careers in economics and business.

Doctorates (3-5 years): Aimed at those seeking research and teaching, delving deeper into economic theory or the development of new methodologies. Doctoral Programs at Universities like Stanford on a full-time basis trains students in an area of specialization and gives them a broad economic perspective by combining specific courses, seminars and classes beyond their main field. Doctoral studies in Princeton Economics is a world-class elite program, extremely selective, that trains a small number of outstanding and diverse students in a cutting-edge research environment with full financial support to produce future leaders in economics. The doctorate at the Universidad de San Andrés offers intensive training to produce theoretical or applied economic research at an international level, built on the vast track record and global presence of its faculty.

Study of Economics

Economics studies how the intentional actions of individuals guide market processes, how prices and institutions are formed, and how these processes are affected by intervention, especially monetary policy. More than the analysis of figures or models, economics focuses on understanding the processes that drive development, prosperity and the spontaneous organization of markets.

Economics Degree

The Economics degree has evolved significantly, expanding its scope far beyond purely financial analysis. What was once perhaps perceived as a rigid study of markets now ranges from human behavior to environmental impact and the formulation of public policies.

Today, economics focuses not only on how scarcity influences our decisions, but also on how individual interactions shape complex systems. Its value lies in equipping us to understand and address the great issues of our time, from technological innovation to social organization.

The Economics degree prepares professionals capable of analyzing and explaining how individual actions are coordinated in production, consumption and investment; how prices and incentives emerge; and how institutions, policies and business decisions influence wealth creation.

Different schools of thought

In this field, approaches can vary widely depending on the economic school of thought being studied. Throughout history, different schools have sought to explain how markets are organized, how prices emerge, and what factors determine growth and crises.

Among the main ones is the Austrian School, which highlights the role of the individual, entrepreneurship and the function of prices as signals within the market process. Its approach focuses on human action, capital dynamics, time and the spontaneous coordination that arises from voluntary cooperation.

The neoclassical school develops models that attempt to describe the balance between supply and demand through mathematical tools and assumptions of individual rationality. For its part, the monetarist school emphasizes the importance of the money supply and monetary policy in economic stability and inflation control.

The institutional school analyzes how norms, laws, and social structures influence economic decisions and the formation of incentives. Finally, currents such as the Keynesian, Marxist, and classical have also played a prominent role in the evolution of economic thought, although they differ profoundly in their interpretation of the role of the State, the market, and the causes of development.

Each approach offers a different way of understanding how the economy and its institutions work. Therefore, studying Economics implies not only acquiring technical tools, but also examining and contrasting these perspectives to form a critical and coherent vision of how individual actions and collective decisions shape economic and social life.

An Economics graduate can work in the public, business, financial, academic, institutional, or research field, participating in market analysis, project evaluation, budget preparation, the study of social phenomena, or the design of economic strategies that promote sustainable development and social cooperation.