Agricultural and Resource Economics Major, MS

Requirements

The master’s program may be completed under a thesis option with a concentration in agricultural economics or natural resource economics. A non-thesis option is available with a concentration in agricultural economics. For specific information, contact the department head.

Agricultural Economics Concentration

Thesis Option

The thesis option in agricultural economics is designed to prepare students for analytical and research careers in the public and private sectors and to prepare students interested in entering a PhD program. A candidate must complete a minimum of 31 hours of graduate credit in courses approved by the student’s master’s committee. At least 28 hours must be earned in courses numbered at or above the 500 level. In the thesis option, 16 hours of agricultural and resource economics, 3 hours of economic theory, 6 hours of quantitative methods, and 6 hours of thesis are required. Each student must pass a final oral examination.

Non-Thesis Option

The non-thesis option in agricultural economics is designed to prepare students for analytical and research careers in the public and private sectors. A candidate must complete a minimum of 36 hours of graduate credit in courses approved by the student’s master’s committee. At least 33 hours must be earned in courses numbered at or above the 500 level. In the non-thesis option, 27 hours of agricultural and resource economics courses and 9 hours of directed electives are required. Each student must pass a written comprehensive examination in the form of an approved written research project report integrating relevant coursework material with an approved research project. 

Natural Resource Economics Concentration

The natural resource economics concentration is designed to prepare students for analytical and research careers in the public and private sectors with emphasis on natural resource economics and to prepare students interested in entering a PhD program. A candidate must complete a minimum of 31 hours of graduate credit in courses approved by the student’s master’s committee. At least 25 hours of graduate credit must be earned at or above the 500 level. Thirteen hours of agricultural and resource economics, 3 hours of economic theory, 6 hours of quantitative methods, and 6 hours of thesis are required. Twelve hours of course work must come from a set of directed electives designed to enhance skills in natural resource economics and/or spatial analysis. Each student must pass a final oral examination.