Economics in Distance Learning: These Opportunities Exist

Economics provides the macroeconomic perspective on the economy and deals with economic systems, markets, international relations, and more.

In distance learning, there are currently only these two possibilities to study economics:

Possibility 1 is the Bachelor's programme in Economics at FernUni Hagen. The programme consists of 10 compulsory modules and 6 elective modules. In the elective area, students have the opportunity to choose 5 of the elective modules from a pool of economic and quantitative modules. This means that during the Wiwi distance learning program, students can specialize in the field of economics.

The following modules in the field of economics are currently offered: Market and State, Market Failure, Economics of Environmental Policy, Modeling of Information Systems, Information Management, Problems of Economic Policy: Unemployment, Health Policy, and Old-age Provision, Industrial Economics, Problem-solving in Graphical Structures, Planning with Mathematical Models, Multivariate Methods, Knowledge Management, Globalization and International Economic Relations, European Economic Policy, Public Expenditure, Basics of International Economic Relations, Digital Transformation.

Possibility 2 is the Master's programme in Economics at FernUni Hagen. The programme lasts a total of 4 semesters in full-time studies.

For admission, a completed degree in economics or in economics/volkswirtschaftslehre is required. For example, those who have studied business informatics can be admitted if the economic components including auxiliary sciences (mathematics, statistics, business informatics, law) amount to at least 90 ECTS credits.

The course contents are taught in a total of 3 compulsory modules and 5 elective modules:

• Compulsory modules: Applied Econometrics, Advanced Business Mathematics and Statistics, Construction and Analysis of Economic Models
• Elective modules: modules are selected from 1) business modules, 2) economic modules, legal modules, and 4) quantitative modules.

The course costs a total of around 1000,- Euros.

Administrative Sciences & Politics in Distance Learning

Political and administrative sciences border very closely on economics. Those who study administrative sciences systematically prepare for a career in public administration. There are now a whole range of distance learning programmes in this field.

In the Bachelor's distance learning programme Political Science, Administrative Science, Sociology, students choose one of the 3 study focuses, for example, Administrative Science.

If you want to study more varied and flexible than at FernUni Hagen, you should consider the Bachelor's distance learning programme Public Management at IU International University. The programme lasts 6 semesters in full-time studies, but most students opt for one of the part-time variants, so the typical duration of study is about 8 semesters.

In full-time studies, students can structure their study plan as follows:

• 1st Semester: Introduction to scientific work, Public Law I (Constitutional Law - Basic Law, State Organization), Economics and Markets, Basics of Civil Law I, Business Management, Public and Nonprofit Management
• 2nd Semester: Public Law II (Constitutional Law - Administrative Law and European Law), Public Financial Management, Political and Administrative Sciences, Project Management, Basics of Civil Law II, Economic Policy
• 3rd Semester: Administrative Procedure Law, Cost Accounting and Budget, Intercultural and Ethical Action Skills, Special Law of Obligations I, Controlling, Introduction to Data Protection and IT Security
• 4th Semester: Human Resources in the Public Sector, Procurement and Award, Collaborative Work, Special Law of Obligations II, Consulting in the Public Sector, E-Government
• 5th Semester: Grants in the Public Sector, Sustainability and Quality Management, Municipal Law, Seminar: New Public Management, Elective Subject A
• 6th Semester: Elective Subject B, Elective Subject C, Bachelor Thesis

During the distance learning programme, students choose one of these scientific specializations: Performance Administration, Intervention Administration, Foreign Affairs. In addition, students choose 2 functional and industry specializations from this pool of modules: International Business Law, National and International Tax Law, Digital HR and Change Management, Negotiation and Conflict Management, Sociology and Social Psychology, World of Work 4.0, Dispute Resolution in Public Law, Performance Administration, Intervention Administration, Foreign Affairs, IT and Media Law, Public Diplomacy and PR, Public Affairs and PR, Online and Social Media Marketing, Communication and PR, Foreign Languages, Collective Labour Law, Advanced Leadership, Human Resources, Project Management, Health Care Management, Event Management, Labour Law.

The following table lists all opportunities for a distance learning programme in Political Science and Administrative Sciences at a glance:

Economics vs Business Administration: What is Suitable for Whom?

Economics distance learning for the theorist, Business Administration distance learning for the practitioner.

Economics in on-site and distance learning covers the major disciplines of business administration and economics. An economics study is thus more comprehensive and more theoretical. Currently, only FernUni Hagen offers a distance learning programme in economics. The university also offers the corresponding consecutive Master's programme in economics. A distance learning programme in economics is particularly suitable for theorists and thinkers who aspire to a scientific career, a career in politics and administration, or a career as publicists after their studies.

Business Administration or Business Economics as a sub-discipline of economics is more practical than a distance learning programme in economics. Business administrators describe, analyze, and explain decision-making processes in companies. After their studies, business economists work in management positions in companies, as self-employed merchants, or as entrepreneurs. Therefore, a distance learning programme in business administration is suitable for practitioners who are drawn to the free market after their studies, who want to work in management, or who want to start their own business.

Here are some of the most popular business administration distance learning programmes at a glance. More of them: Business Administration Distance Learning: 20 Top Programmes Overview.