Agricultural and Resource Economics, MS
Expand your career opportunities with a Master of Science in Agricultural and Resource Economics. This innovative program combines principles of agriculture, natural resources, and economics to prepare students for analytical careers and research.
Program Overview
In the agricultural and resource economics master’s program, you will gain a blended education that will help you achieve your educational goals and career opportunities in agricultural economics. This program features a unique mix of agricultural business and natural resource economics to prepare graduates to meet the growing demands of the agri-business sector.
This program is an all-encompassing education in not just coursework, but well-developed research topics and real-world experiences. With each professor in the department having specialized expertise that ranges from livestock, crops, international trade, finance, marketing, and policy, students are equipped with the tools to excel in a variety of agribusiness careers.
Concentrations
The agricultural and resource economics master’s degree has three concentrations: agricultural economics, agribusiness, and natural resource economics. The agricultural economics and natural resource economics concentrations are two-year, thesis-based degrees. The agribusiness concentration is a one-year, industry-focused degree that is accessible for students with a variety of backgrounds, such as animal science, plant science, food science, or forestry.
Why study Agricultural and Resource Economics?
Industry Connections
Professional connections and alumni relationships are a significant component of the agricultural and resource economics program. Alumni often participate in mentorship programs, share their wisdom as guest speakers and serve as a valuable resource to the department. Through these relationships, students can stay up to date with industry trends and gain valuable insights into the agribusiness industry.
Expanding Research Opportunities
Research within agricultural and resource economics consists of a wide range of topics in innovative agricultural research. Thesis track master’s students engage in research projects on topics like production economics, natural resources and environmental economics, rural development, policy and trade and marketing, logistics, and finance.
Tailor Your Degree
Through its concentrations, there are multiple ways to earn your degree. The agricultural economics and natural resource economics concentrations are primarily research-oriented and offer an assistantship program for select students. In the agribusiness pathway, learning is based on real-life projects and internships.
Dual MS/MBA
The Herbert College of Agriculture and the Haslam College of Business offer a dual-degree program leading to the conferral of both the Master of Business Administration and the Master of Science in Agricultural and Resource Economics with an emphasis on agribusiness.
The program is directed toward management of agribusiness firms within agricultural-consulting, bioenergy, food-processing, input-supply, marketing, and transportation industries, among others.
What can you do with a degree in Agricultural and Resource Economics?
Graduates from the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics master’s program advance their skills in agribusiness and economics to gain career-building skills. Students can advance their careers or pursue employment opportunities in research careers in the public and private sectors, management, marketing, farm input supply, law and policy, and more!
Featured Courses
AREC 512 – Advanced Agribusiness Finance
Financial and investment analysis tools and concepts and their application to business decisions. Topics include financial analysis and planning principles, working capital, capital budgeting, debt structure and financing, the Capital Asset Pricing Model, scenario analysis, Monte Carlo simulation, and discounted cash flow valuation.
AREC 524 – Econometric Methods in Agricultural Economics
Application of statistical methods to agricultural economic models; estimation of supply, demand and production functions; microeconomic forecasting models; interpretation of results.
AREC 550 – Microeconomic Applications to Agricultural and Resource Markets
Microeconomic concepts, tools, and decision making approaches for agricultural and natural resource markets; competitive market analysis, strategies by sellers, including price and non-price competition, vertical coordination, market segmentation, and advertising; examination of demand and buyer behavior, including market participation, contingent valuation, and willingness to pay; role of information and innovations in markets.
AREC 570 – Advanced Natural Resource Economics
Analysis of natural resource allocation issues; applied welfare economics, external effects and evaluation of public policy.
Admissions and Aid
Learn more about admissions and aid by visiting the links below.