The Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics offers Master of Science (M.S.) in Applied and Resource Economics, which may be awarded along the way to a Ph.D. or as a terminal degree. The terminal M.S. provides rigorous training in microeconomics and quantitative methods, and their applications to economic and policy issues involving food, health, natural resources, and the environment. Students completing this degree go on to work in the private sector, government agencies, international organizations, or continue on for a Ph.D.

Requirements. Students may attain the terminal M.S. degree by pursuing one of three plans of study. Regardless of the plan selected, students must satisfactorily meet the following requirements: complete 30 credits of total coursework; complete 12 credits from ARE or ECON courses at the 5000 level or above (independent study and internship credits cannot be used to satisfy this requirement); take one master’s level course in microeconomic theory (ARE 5201 or ECON 5201) and one master’s level course in econometrics (ARE 5311). The remaining requirements unique to each plan of study are stated below.

Plan A (Thesis). Coursework includes the six credits from the M.S. common core (ARE 5201 or ECON 5201 and ARE 5311). Students must complete nine credits of GRAD 5950 and successfully defend a thesis. The additional required 21 credits may include a maximum of three credits of ARE 5499 or 5991.

Plan B (Major Paper). Coursework includes the six credits from the M.S. common core (ARE 5201 or ECON 5201 and ARE 5311). Students must complete three to six credits of ARE 5499 associated with writing the major paper. The grade for the independent study shall be issued after public presentation of the written paper. The additional 18 – 21 credits to complete the required 30 may include a maximum of up to six credits of ARE 5499 and/or 5991.

Plan B (Coursework). Coursework includes the six credits from the M.S. common core (ARE 5201 or ECON 5201 and ARE 5311). The additional 24 credits to complete the required 30 may include a maximum of up to six credits of ARE 5499 and/or 5991.

The programs are offered by the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources.