Program Overview

Program Overview

The Agricultural Economics program at the University of Saskatchewan offers a Master of Science (M.Sc.) and a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree. The program focuses on the application of advanced theoretical and empirical methods in applied economics to study real-world problems in the field of agriculture and food.

Program Details

• The M.Sc. program is expected to be completed within 2 years, while the Ph.D. program is expected to be completed within 4 years.
• Both programs are thesis-based, with no course-based option available.
• The deadline to apply for the program is January 15th for a September start date.

Areas of Specialization

The department's areas of specialization include:

• Natural resource economics
• Environmental sustainability and evaluation
• International trade policy
• Supply chain management
• Public policy and regulation
• Farm business management
• Economics of technological change
• Rural development
• Agri-food marketing
• Food safety and quality
• Agricultural production economics

Research Supervisors

A list of research supervisors and their areas of specialization is available, including:

• Kenneth Belcher: Ecosystem goods and services, natural resource and environmental policy, land conservation, wildlife and biodiversity conservation
• Richard Gray: Genomics and agricultural innovation, agricultural and environmental policy, grain marketing and transportation
• Hayley Hesseln: Environmental economics, forestry economics, resource economics
• Jill Hobbs: Supply chains, consumer behaviour, food policy
• Kathy Larson: [No areas of specialization listed]
• Sabine Liebenehm: Development economics, behavioral and experimental economics, social networks, poverty and vulnerability analysis, socioeconomic impact assessment
• Patrick Lloyd-Smith: Environmental and resource economics, non-market valuation, water resources, consumer behaviour, ecosystem services
• Tia McDonald: Data science and analytics, applied microeconomics, agricultural finance, agricultural profitability in a changing climate, rural and regional economics
• Eric Micheels: Farm and agribusiness management, agribusiness marketing, entrepreneurship, agricultural finance
• James Nolan: Transportation economics and policy, regulatory economics, computational economics, experimental economics
• Bailey Peterson-Wilhelm: Behavioral and experimental economics, agricultural policy, international agriculture
• Tristan Skolrud: Agri-environmental policy, applied microeconomics, farm-level decision making, agricultural finance
• Peter Slade: Adoption of novel foods, social economics
• Stuart Smyth: GM crops, regulation, sustainability
• Nicholas Tyack: Economics of genetic resources and biodiversity, agricultural innovation, environmental and development economics, experimental economics

Tuition and Funding

• All students accepted into the program will receive financial support from their supervisor's research funds.
• The minimum level of funding for students in a thesis-based Master's program is $23,000 per year for 2 years.
• The minimum level of funding for students in a Doctoral program is $27,000 per year for 4 years.
• Tuition fees for Canadian students in the Master of Science program are $2,086.00 per term, while international students pay $4,694.00 per term.
• Tuition fees for Canadian and international students in the Doctoral program are $2,066.00 per term.
• Student fees, including health and dental insurance, a bus pass, and other campus services, range from $36.75 to $804.73 per term, depending on the term and student status.

Admission Requirements

Master of Science (M.Sc.)

• Language proficiency requirements: Proof of English proficiency may be required for international applicants and for applicants whose first language is not English.
• A cumulative weighted average of at least 70% (USask grade system equivalent) in the last two years of study.
• A four-year honours degree, or equivalent, from a recognized college or university in an academic discipline relevant to the proposed field of study.
• Background training in mathematics, statistics, economic theory, and econometrics.
• Graduate Record Examination (GRE): Submission of the GRE is recommended for all applicants, and required for applicants who have not earned a degree from Canada or the USA.

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

• Language proficiency requirements: Proof of English proficiency may be required for international applicants and for applicants whose first language is not English.
• Master's degree, or equivalent, from a recognized university in a relevant academic discipline.
• A cumulative weighted average of at least 70% (USask grade system equivalent) in the last two years of study.
• Graduate Record Examination (GRE): Submission of the GRE is recommended for all applicants, and required for applicants who have not earned a degree from Canada or the USA.

Application Process

• Submit an online application, which takes approximately 30 minutes to complete.
• Pay a non-refundable application fee: $125 for Canadian students and $145 for international students.
• Upload required documents, including:
  • Transcripts from all previous post-secondary institutions.
  • Proof of English language proficiency (if required).
  • A statement/letter of intent outlining research interests.
  • A curriculum vitae or resume.
  • Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) scores (if required).