Program Overview

Ph.D. in Agricultural and Resource Economics

The Ph.D. offered by the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics consists of 72 credits plus a substantial work of original research in the form of a dissertation. Completion of the Ph.D. in Agricultural and Resource Economics generally signifies a mastery of advanced microeconomic theory and quantitative methods, with a particular expertise in either agricultural economics or environmental and natural resource economics. Ph.D. graduates are experts in applied economics and are trained to develop and execute innovative research programs, teach undergraduate and graduate level economics courses, and present theoretical and applied economic concepts and results to a wide variety of audiences. Graduates of this program have gone on to succeed in a variety of positions at universities, in the public sector, and private enterprises including consulting firms.

Learning Objectives

Upon successful completion, students will be able to:

1. Apply research that contributes understanding and solutions to problems relevant to their sub-discipline specialties.
2. Communicate economic concepts, analysis, and findings in both oral and written forms across a wide range of professional settings.
3. Teach economic theory and methods as applied to agricultural and natural resource problems.

Program Requirements

• The program consists of 72 credits plus a dissertation.
• Core Courses:
  • AREC 506/ECON 506: Applied Microeconomic Theory (3 credits)
  • AREC 570/ECON 530: Methodology of Economic Research (3 credits)
  • AREC 606/ECON 606: Microeconomic Analysis I (3 credits)
  • AREC 615: Optimization Methods for Applied Economics (3 credits)
  • AREC 635/ECON 635: Econometric Theory I (3 credits)
  • AREC 706/ECON 706: Microeconomic Analysis II (3 credits)
  • AREC 735/ECON 735: Econometric Theory II (2 credits)
  • AREC 770: Advanced Methods in Applied Economics (3 credits)
  • ECON 501: Quantitative Methods for Economists (3 credits)
• Field Courses: Select one from the following (9-12 credits)
  • Group A:
    • AREC 605: Agricultural Production and Cost Analysis
    • AREC 610: Agricultural Marketing and Demand Analysis
    • AREC 705: Advanced Production and Technological Change
    • AREC 710: Advanced Agricultural Marketing Issues
  • Group B:
    • AREC 540/ECON 540: Environmental and Natural Resource Economics
    • AREC 740/ECON 740: Advanced Natural Resource Economics
    • AREC 741/ECON 741: Advanced Environmental Economics
• Electives: 22-25 credits
• Research and Dissertation: AREC 799: Dissertation (12 credits)
• Exams: 0 credits
  • Students must pass the written Ph.D. Qualifying Examinations in Quantitative Methods and in Microeconomics, the field Examination, the preliminary Oral Examination, and the final Oral Examination.

Additional Information

• A minimum of 72 credits are required to complete this program.
• Students may apply an earned Master’s degree for up to 30 credits toward the PhD requirements, with specific course requirements substituted where evidence of equivalent learning outcomes is demonstrated.
• For more information, refer to the Requirements for All Graduate Degrees.