The MS program trains students to conduct economic research in the fields of environmental and resource economics, agricultural economics, and development economics. It provides rigorous training in microeconomic theory and econometrics and in the application of microeconomics and econometrics to policy issues. Students completing their MS degrees go on to work in U.S. government agencies, international organizations.
The MS program requires a minimum of 33 credits of coursework (i.e., 16 credits of electives in addition to the 17 credits of required coursework) and defense of a scholarly paper. No MS thesis is required.
Required courses for the MS program consist of basic coursework in microeconomic theory and econometrics:
- The first semester of the sequence in microeconomic theory (ECON 603).
- A two-semester sequence in applied econometrics (AREC 623 and 624).
- A one-semester course on mathematical optimization (AREC 620).
- A one-semester course on applications of microeconomic theory to agricultural and resource economics (AREC 610).
- The first-year coursework normally includes these 17 credits (3 credits each for ECON 603, AREC 620, and AREC 610 plus 4 credits each for AREC 623 and AREC 624).
MS students fulfill additional coursework requirements by taking electives to suit their own interests during their second year. Elective courses are normally selected from MS level courses (600 level or above) in AREC or ECON but may be taken in other disciplines with adviser approval. For detailed information on the scholarly paper, see MS Scholarly Paper Requirement.
