An extremely prolific research producer and teacher, Ariely studies a wide range of topics in economics and behavior. His popular books include “The Problem of Social Capital”, “The Analysis of Behavior”, “The Economics of Emotion” and “Why Nations Fail.” In addition, he has served on the boards of the American Psychological Association and the National Bureau of Labor Statistics. Prior to taking over the faculty position at Duke University, Ariely served for two years at the University of California, Berkeley, as a professor in the department of statistics. There he conducted much of the research that became the core content of his later work.
If you are seeking a class in behavioral economics, look for a department like that at Duke. There you can get expert support with both empirical and conceptual work. Your course will begin with an examination of the theories and methods used by behavioral economists. You will be taught how to measure individual behavior, how decision-making works in the context of other people and institutions, and how behavioral economics can be applied to various economic issues. You will also learn how to use applied techniques in your own field.
If you want to know more about behavioral economics, you might want to check out your local business school. Most business schools offer courses in finance and psychology. If you take a psychology course at a business school, you may even find yourself taking a behavioral economics course as well. This is a great idea because it can lead you into other areas of interest such as management or marketing. It can also help you prepare for a career in academia or government.
You might also consider a distance learning behavioral economics program. The main advantage of this kind of learning is that you can take the courses when it fits. You do not have to attend a full time college. You do not have to fight the system to get an education that many people have to earn. Plus, online programs allow you to learn at your own pace so that you can customize the program to your own needs.
If you are not satisfied with the options offered by local colleges and universities, you might consider earning a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in behavioral economics. These programs have similar characteristics to the college programs, but they tend to be more advanced. For example, you will take courses like macro economics, behavioral economics, decision theory, etc. As mentioned, many degree programs in this field lead to specific areas of study such as behavioral science, business leadership, and sociology.
Once you have a Bachelor’s degree, you can choose to go on and get a Master’s or MBA. This level of education further helps you gain employment opportunities or raise your salary in your current job. When you graduate with an MBA, you typically start up a business or work in a management position in the same field that you studied in. This gives you an opportunity to network with other professionals in the field so that you can continue to build upon your knowledge.
In addition to MBA and Master’s degrees, there are many certificate programs that you can enroll in. Certificate programs typically teach you more specific skills and knowledge. For example, some programs teach you how to use social skills in the business setting. Others may teach you how to develop strategic thinking skills that you can apply to business decisions.