Students participating in this program are advanced undergraduate Economics students at Montclair State University, typically juniors or seniors completing a required capstone-style course near the end of their bachelor’s degree. 

The course is designed to integrate economic theory, quantitative tools, and institutional knowledge across applied topics such as demand and supply, price elasticity, market structure, fiscal and monetary policy, and international trade. The syllabus describes the course as a seminar for Economics majors that requires oral and written projects applying key economic concepts. 

Students have developed foundational knowledge in microeconomics, macroeconomics, strategic decision-making, and economic communication. They are expected to understand consumer and firm behavior, analyze market equilibrium, evaluate macroeconomic indicators, interpret policy implications, and communicate findings through written and oral work. 

This experiential project is intended for students who are ready to apply economic reasoning to a real-world organizational challenge. The target project is a mini consulting experience for selected high-performing students, with an emphasis on market research, pricing research, and practical analysis rather than advanced data analytics. 

Through this consulting project, students will: 

• Apply economic theory to a real business, market, policy, or organizational challenge
 • Conduct structured research using public sources, industry information, and relevant datasets
 • Analyze market conditions, customer behavior, pricing dynamics, or economic trends
 • Develop practical recommendations grounded in economic reasoning and evidence
 • Strengthen their ability to communicate findings through written reports and oral presentations
 • Practice consulting-style problem solving, teamwork, and professional communication
 • Build confidence working with external stakeholders on a real organizational question
 • Create a resume-ready project experience connected to their economics training

The Economics Consulting Project is a short-term, applied learning experience that connects advanced undergraduate economics students with organizations seeking research, analysis, and practical insight on a real business or economic challenge. 

This format is designed as a mini consulting project within Montclair State University’s Advanced Seminar in Economics. Students work in small teams to analyze a clearly defined organizational question using economic reasoning, market research, pricing analysis, public data, and structured business research. 

Projects should be practical, focused, and achievable within a six-week timeframe. Strong project fits may include market research, pricing analysis, economic impact research, industry benchmarking, demand analysis, competitive positioning, consumer behavior research, workforce economics, policy implications, or high-level strategic recommendations grounded in economic analysis. 

Students are not expected to perform advanced data analytics, build complex statistical models, or deliver production-ready business intelligence outputs. Instead, they are expected to apply economics concepts, conduct thoughtful research, interpret relevant data, and translate their findings into clear, useful recommendations for the partner organization. 

The project gives students a real-world opportunity to apply what they have learned in economics while giving participating organizations access to fresh research, structured analysis, and early-stage insights that can inform business or strategic decision-making.

Participating organizations gain access to a small team of motivated Economics students who can provide structured research, analysis, and practical insight on a defined business or economic question. 

Industry partners benefit through:

Applied Economic Research
Students can investigate market conditions, pricing dynamics, policy trends, labor market issues, competitive landscapes, or consumer behavior questions relevant to the organization. 

Market and Pricing Insight
Projects may help organizations better understand pricing models, customer demand, budget expectations, competitive positioning, or broader economic forces shaping their market. 

Structured Research Support
Student teams can review public data, industry reports, market sources, academic research, and other non-confidential materials to identify patterns and actionable takeaways. 

Fresh Perspective
Students bring outside thinking and economic frameworks to questions that organizations may not have time to examine internally. 

Professional Deliverables
Student teams produce outputs such as research reports, analysis summaries, comparison tables, slide decks, and final presentations. 

Low-Burden Collaboration
The project is designed to require minimal partner time, with a kickoff, limited check-ins, and final feedback.

Projects should be relevant to students studying economics in a U.S.-based business and policy context. U.S.-based organizations are preferred, though Canadian projects may also be considered when the topic is relevant and accessible.

Participating organizations should be prepared to: 

Projects should be research-oriented, practical, and achievable within six weeks. They should not require access to confidential data, advanced statistical modeling, proprietary systems, or extensive company resources.