The Purdue University Research Center in Economics offers experiential learning programs and courses that teach students real-world research techniques and technologies and how to dive deep into economic topics.
These special opportunities are planned and hosted by PURCE staff and faculty and are possible thanks to the center's generous supporters.
PURCE is excited to offer a new 3-credit undergraduate course that takes students to Washington, D.C. for an immersive week of experiential learning.
ECON 390: Freedom, Capitalism, and Institutions is open to all Purdue-West Lafayette undergrads with junior status or beyond eager to explore the importance of economic freedoms and spend Spring Break in our nation’s capital.
See answers to FAQs below for information on eligibility, cost, scholarships, the D.C. experience, and more.
The application for the 2026 spring semester class closed on November 3. To express interest in applying for ECON 390 in the future, email purce@purdue.edu.
This is a new 3-credit economics course that combines classroom learning with a Spring Break (March 15-20, 2026) trip to Washington, D.C. Students will consider the importance of economic freedoms, such as private property and competition, for both ethical and instrumental reasons. They will observe the exercise of government power in the capital of one of the freest large nations in history, the United States. The chaperoned trip will include site visits, seminars with famous economists and leaders, and seeing the Federal government from the inside.
Intellectual reasons: Should private property rights be on par with others named in the Bill of Rights, such as practicing one’s religion? How do we approach equality-efficiency trade-offs in the economy?
Professional reasons: Interested in a career in or adjacent to government? Want to get a better idea of how you can apply your economics training? Want to hear from speakers that only rarely make it to Purdue’s campus?
Personal reasons: See the iconic sights in the heart of Washington, D.C. Spend your Spring Break in an exciting, vital city. Celebrate America’s 250th birthday in the capital!
This class is new for the spring 2026 semester. The class is held in person on the West Lafayette campus January 12-May 2, 2026, with a trip to D.C. during Purdue’s Spring Break week, March 15-20, 2026.
Freedom, Capitalism, and Institutions: Washington, D.C. Immersion is open to all Purdue-West Lafayette on-campus undergraduates with junior status or beyond. This class is open to all majors.
Applicants must have junior status or beyond and must have completed ECON 251 & 252 with at least a B-.
Yes, this is a 3-credit class, and the course number is ECON 390, CRN 37645.
In addition to spring semester tuition, the course fee is $1,000 plus airfare/travel to D.C. and personal expenses.
The $1,000 fee covers five nights in a hotel, activities fees, a transit pass, some meals and refreshments, and travel insurance.
Yes, scholarships are available based on criteria including financial need and match with the program. Explore these options:
Students will visit important institutions and landmarks including Capitol Hill, the White House, the National Archives, the Federal Reserve Board, the World Bank, and the International Monetary Fund headquarters.
You’ll meet with experts and leaders and engage in discussions on the role of freedom and capitalism as it relates to government policy and exercise of power.
The class will stay at the Club Quarters Hotel, White House, right in the heart of Washington, D.C., walkable to many popular sites and no more than a short Metro ride from all.
Students must arrange and pay for their own travel to Washington, D.C. and personal spending. Some but not all meals are covered in the course fee.
The application for the 2026 spring semester class closed on November 3. Course admission decisions will be made and communicated to applicants by November 7.
Accepted students enroll in the course during registration like any other spring semester class.
To express interest in applying for ECON 390 in the future, email purce@purdue.edu.
Students who have successfully completed a principles of economics course are invited to apply for the Economic Scholars Program, a one-credit hour independent study course, typically capped at 12 students, that meets weekly to discuss readings.
The program is taught by a different professor each semester, and focuses on a different economic topic. Formative texts, including Frédéric Bastiat and John Rawls, are read and discussed alongside recent economic works. Grades are based largely on participation — the quality and rigor of class discussions — and an essay.
Starting in Fall 2024, PURCE expanded Econ Scholars to two sections each semester. Now, up to 24 undergraduate students have the opportunity to each earn up to $750 in scholarship money while exploring economics topics in great depth.
The Economic Scholars Program is much more than a class. Read what students say about the fall 2022 program, which focused on law and crime in society, and get inspired by Econ Scholars instructor Charles Stucke, who taught the course in fall 2025 and shares how he planned his syllabus.
The application for Fall 2025 closed on August 29, 2025.
The center's Undergraduate Research Assistantship (UGRA) program arose out of a desire to give undergraduates more direct exposure to economic research — something that’s often reserved for graduate students.
Students are paired with a professor from Purdue’s department of economics and are paid to assist with real research projects. Through hands-on work and weekly cohort meetings, UGRAs learn research design, quantitative data analysis, database management, and presentation skills.
Application requirements include having completed ECON 360 (Econometrics) and having a 3.0 GPA or higher. Preference will be given to students who have had Undergraduate Teaching Assistantship (UGTA) experience within the Daniels School's Economics Department, earned an A- or higher in ECON 360, and have at least a 3.5 cumulative GPA. Due to the interactive nature of this program, in-person participation is required and participants must be enrolled in on-campus courses on Purdue’s West Lafayette campus. A commitment of 10 work hours per week is expected.
UGRA work hours will include:
Read a feature story on the benefits of participating in the UGRA program.
All UGRA program positions have been filled for both Fall 2025 and Spring 2026. PURCE does not offer summer UGRA positions.
If you’re interested in the PURCE UGRA program and would like to receive an email alert when the application goes live on June 1, 2026, for the 2026-2027 academic school year, or if you have questions related to UGRA, please complete the survey below.
