Behavioral economics course curriculum

In an online behavioral economics course, you can build an understanding of the philosophy and principles that underlie the field. Some of the topics that you may encounter in a behavioral economics class include:

• How do consumers form their attitudes, and how do those attitudes shift over time?

• How can analytical tools be used to measure the influence of culture, personality, and lifestyle on consumer behavior?

• Which factors, like choice architecture and nudges, influence behavior changes? 

• How do you design experiments to test the effectiveness of different decision-making interventions?

• How can you apply behavioral economics to different situations in the real world?

If you are interested in learning about behavioral economics or other related fields, explore the range of learning pathways made available through edX. Sign up for an accelerated boot camp or enroll in a full degree program and start working toward a bachelor's degree or (for more advanced learners) a master’s degree in a relevant subject. You can also explore executive education programs specifically designed for busy professionals. Find the right course to propel your professional development forward.

Behavioral economics jobs

Behavioral economics has practical applications in various professions that involve understanding and influencing human behavior in economic contexts, such as:

• Marketing analyst: Professionals in this role apply behavioral economics principles to analyze consumer behavior, design effective marketing strategies, and optimize product pricing to appeal to cognitive biases.

• Financial advisor: Financial advisors leverage behavioral economics insights to guide clients' investment decisions, address biases that impact savings and retirement planning, and promote informed financial choices.

• Policy analyst: Working in government or think tanks, policy analysts use behavioral economics to design public policies that encourage desired behaviors, such as tax compliance, energy conservation, or health behavior changes.

• User experience (UX) designer: UX designers apply behavioral economics to create user-friendly interfaces, optimize website layouts, and design digital platforms that align with users' cognitive patterns and preferences.

• Healthcare consultant: In the healthcare sector, professionals use behavioral economics to design interventions that encourage healthier lifestyle choices, medication adherence, and patient engagement.

• Market researcher: Market researchers incorporate behavioral economics techniques to understand consumer preferences, conduct focus groups, and predict market trends by accounting for psychological biases.

• Public relations strategist: Public relations experts use behavioral economics to craft messages that resonate with audiences' emotions, motivations, and cognitive biases, enhancing brand perception.

• Consumer insights analyst: Professionals in this role analyze consumer behavior data to uncover patterns and trends driven by psychological biases, guiding product development and marketing strategies.

Build a better understanding of human behavior, so that you can encourage consumers to make better decisions that drive positive outcomes. Start learning about behavioral economics with edX.