The Master of Science in Agricultural and Resource Economics, Plan B, offered by the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, is a program of study consisting of 30 credit hours in coursework, plus the preparation of a technical paper. Completion of this degree implies a mastery of fundamental microeconomic theory and econometrics, with an ability to conduct applied economic research under supervision. Graduates are competitive for employment in the public and private sectors as analysts, consultants, researchers, and other occupations involving analytical skills. Our students have gone on to rewarding careers in federal agencies such as the National Park Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, State Departments of Agriculture, NGOs, and the private sector. The program provides a solid foundation for the students wishing to pursue higher level graduate studies (Ph.D.), but it is particularly well suited for students seeking to directly enter the workforce or international students planning to return to their own country after obtaining the degree.
Students interested in graduate work should refer to the Graduate and Professional Bulletin.
Learning Objectives
Upon successful completion, students will be able to:
- Conduct quantitative economic analysis that examines behavior and tradeoffs related to agriculture and natural resource management.
- Demonstrate competency in applied economic theory and quantitative economic tools to be competitive for career opportunities in private industry, government, and non-profit organizations.
- Communicate economic concepts, analysis, and findings in both oral and written forms across a wide range of professional settings.
- Support the dissemination of economic theory and methods as applied to agricultural and natural resource problems.
Effective Fall 2026
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| AREC 506/ECON 506 | Applied Microeconomic Theory | 3 |
| AREC 507 | Applied Welfare and Policy Analysis | 3 |
| AREC 535/ECON 535 | Applied Econometrics | 3 |
| ECON 501 | Quantitative Methods for Economists | 3 |
| Methods Courses | ||
| Select one from the following: | 3 | |
| Optimization Methods for Applied Economics | ||
| Econometric Theory I | ||
| Field Courses | ||
| Select one group from the following: | 3-6 | |
| Group A: | ||
| Environmental and Natural Resource Economics | ||
| Group B: | ||
| Agricultural Production and Cost Analysis | ||
| Agricultural Marketing and Demand Analysis | ||
| Electives | ||
| Elective courses can come from any course at the 300-level or higher that is not considered a prerequisite to enter the MS program, and should be agreed upon by the student’s advisor. The most commonly taken elective courses have AREC and ECON prefixes. Additionally, courses from the Statistics, Applied Statistics, and Mathematics departments as well as with GRAD prefix are commonly taken. | 9-12 | |
| Program Total Credits: | 30 | |
A minimum of 30 credits are required to complete this program.
- 1
Research credits (AREC 699) do not count towards the 30 credit hour requirement.
- 2
The MS Plan B program requires students to complete a technical paper that applies empirical methods to a problem of interest within the field of agricultural and resource economics. This paper can be a replication of previous research or an application of economic analysis that does not contribute to scholarly knowledge to the degree that we expect from a formal MS thesis. The technical paper is, however, taken seriously by the department and committee and requires a public defense. Details concerning technical paper defense procedures can be found in the Department Graduate Handbook.
For more information, please visit Requirements for All Graduate Degrees in the Graduate and Professional Bulletin.
Summary of Procedures for the Master's and Doctoral Degrees
NOTE: Each semester the Graduate School publishes a schedule of deadlines. Deadlines are available on the Graduate School website. Students should consult this schedule whenever they approach important steps in their careers.
Forms are available online.
| Step | Due Date |
|---|---|
| 1. Application for admission (online) | Six months before first registration |
| 2. Diagnostic examination when required | Before first registration |
| 3. Appointment of advisor | Before first registration |
| 4. Selection of graduate committee | Before the time of fourth regular semester registration |
| 5. Filing of program of study (GS Form 6) | Before the time of fourth regular semester registration |
| 6. Preliminary examination (Ph.D. and PD) | Two terms prior to final examination |
| 7. Report of preliminary examination (GS Form 16) - (Ph.D. and PD) | Within two working days after results are known |
| 8. Changes in committee (GS Form 9A) | When change is made |
| 9. Application for Graduation (GS Form 25) | Refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School Website |
| 9a. Reapplication for Graduation (online) | Failure to graduate requires Reapplication for Graduation (online) for the next time term for which you are applying |
| 10. Submit thesis or dissertation to committee | At least two weeks prior to the examination or at the discretion of the graduate committee |
| 11. Final examination | Refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School Website |
| 12. Report of final examination (GS Form 24) | Within two working days after results are known; refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School website |
| 13. Submit a signed Thesis/Dissertation Submission Form (GS Form 30) to the Graduate School and Submit the Survey of Earned Doctorates (Ph.D. only) prior to submitting the electronic thesis/dissertation | Refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School website. |
| 14. Submit the thesis/dissertation electronically | Refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School website |
| 15. Graduation | Ceremony information is available from the Graduate School website |