Program Overview

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Introduction to the Doctor of Philosophy Program

The Department of Agricultural Economics at Oklahoma State University offers a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) program that provides intensive training in the application of economic theory and quantitative methods to the economic problems of the food sector and rural areas.

Program Overview

The Ph.D. program includes a core of courses to assure that all students obtain a satisfactory background in the various areas of the field. The broad background enables students to consider a wide variety of jobs upon completion of the degree as well as in future years. The desired specialization is normally obtained through the selection of electives and a dissertation topic.

Degree Requirements

• Admission to the program
• Successfully completing the courses included on an approved plan of study
• Passing written preliminary examinations
• Passing an oral qualifying examination
• Conducting the research and writing necessary for a Ph.D. dissertation
• Passing a final examination or defense of the dissertation
• Submitting official copies of the dissertation to the Graduate College
• Preparing and submitting a draft of an article written from the dissertation research
• A graduation clearance form should be submitted online in the semester the student intends to complete degree requirements
• A diploma application should be submitted online in the semester the student intends to complete degree requirements

Core Requirements

The core requirements for the Ph.D. degree consist of 26 credit hours, including:

Economic Theory (6 credit hours)

• ECON 6013 Microeconomic Theory I
• One of the following courses:
  • ECON 5033 Macroeconomic Analysis
  • ECON 6033 Macroeconomic Theory I
  • ECON 6043 Macroeconomic Theory II

Quantitative Methods (9 credit hours)

• STAT 5253 Mathematical Statistics I
• STAT 5263 Mathematical Statistics II
• AGEC 5213 Econometric Methods
• Additional courses in quantitative methods, such as:
  • STAT 5000 (or above)
  • AGEC 6103 Advanced Applications of Math Programming
  • AGEC 6213 Advanced Econometrics
  • ECON 6243 Econometrics II
  • AGEC 5113 Applications of Mathematical Programming (for students without previous mathematical programming coursework)

Agricultural Economics (11 credit hours)

• AGEC 6303 Advanced Agricultural Marketing (odd years)
• OR
• AGEC 6403 Advanced Production Economics
• Additional 6000-level course in Agricultural Economics, Economics, or related field
• AGEC 5303 Agricultural Market Policy and Organization
• AGEC 6102 Teaching Practicum in Agricultural Economics

Elective Courses

The desirability of both depth and breadth of preparation is recognized, and the department encourages broadening of the student's background by including courses in philosophy, law, psychology, political science, history, sociology, foreign languages, computer science, and engineering.

Sample Ph.D. Core

A sample Ph.D. core includes:

• ECON 5033 Macroeconomic Analysis
• ECON 6013 Microeconomic Theory I
• STAT 5253 Mathematical Statistics I
• STAT 5263 Mathematical Statistics II
• AGEC 5303 Agricultural Market and Policy Organization
• AGEC 6213 Advanced Econometrics
• AGEC 6403 Advanced Production Economics
• AGEC 6303 Advanced Agricultural Marketing
• AGEC 6102 Teaching Practicum in Agricultural Economics

Sample Ph.D. Electives

Sample electives include:

• Marketing
  • AGEC 5203 Advanced Agricultural Prices (odd years)
  • AGEC 6303 Advanced Agricultural Marketing (odd years)
• Quantitative Analysis
  • ECON 6213 Econometrics I
  • ECON 6243 Econometrics II
  • AGEC 6213 Advanced Econometrics
  • AGEC 5233 Primary Data Analysis in Economic Research (odd years)
• Production
  • AGEC 5403 Production Economics
  • AGEC 5603 Advanced Agricultural Finance
  • AGEC 6103 Advanced Applications of Mathematical Programming
  • AGEC 6403 Advanced Production Economics
• Rural Development
  • AGEC 5723 Planning and Policy for Development
  • ECON 6623 Economic Development I
  • ECON 6643 Economic Development II
• Natural Resources
  • AGEC 6103 Advanced Applications of Mathematical Programming

Oral and Written Examinations

Written examinations for doctoral students test the student's comprehensive understanding and use of tools, concepts, and basic principles developed in the graduate program. An oral qualifying examination is given as soon as possible after the two written comprehensive examinations have been successfully completed.

Minor in Statistics for Ph.D. Students

Agricultural Economics doctoral students may earn a minor in Statistics by completing a minimum of 18 hours in statistics with no more than six transfer hours.

Preliminary and Qualifying Examinations

The department requires a written Preliminary Examination and an oral Qualifying Examination for all students seeking admission to candidacy for the Ph.D. degree.

Ph.D. Dissertation and Final Examination

A dissertation (doctoral thesis) is required of each doctoral candidate. The student's Academic Advisory Committee must approve the subject of the dissertation, and the dissertation is prepared under the direction of members of the committee or a special dissertation committee approved by the Academic Advisory Committee chair.

Admission to Candidacy

A student must be admitted to candidacy at least six months before the commencement in which the Doctor of Philosophy degree will be received. Before being admitted to candidacy, the student must have passed the Qualifying Examination and have an approved plan of study filed in the Graduate College.