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 graduate credit hours in courses approved by the student’s master’s committee. At least 28 credit hours must be earned in courses numbered at or above the 500 level. In the thesis option, 19 credit hours of agricultural and resource economics, 3 credit hours of economic theory, 6 credit hours of quantitative methods, and 6 credit 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 graduate credit hours in courses approved by the student’s master’s committee. At least 33 credit hours must be earned in courses numbered at or above the 500 level. In the non-thesis option, 27 credit hours of agricultural and resource economics courses and 9 credit 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 graduate credit hours in courses approved by the student’s master’s committee. At least 25 graduate credit hours must be earned at or above the 500 level. Thirteen credit hours of agricultural and resource economics, 3 credit hours of economic theory, 6 credit hours of quantitative methods, and 6 credit hours of thesis are required. Twelve credit 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.