Degree – Master of Science in Agriculture, MS
Concentration: Agricultural Economics

Description of Program

The Master of Science in Agriculture is designed to accommodate the demands and needs of students and potential employers in the field of agriculture. The Agricultural Economics option prepares students to be knowledgeable about contemporary aspects of U.S. agricultural production and distribution and positions in agriculture-related industries.

Learning Outcomes

  • Analyze contemporary aspects of U. S. agricultural production and distribution
  • Gain admission into doctoral programs
  • Design curricula and impact knowledge on future generations
  • Apply knowledge and skills gained in administrative and professional positions in agricultural economics and related industries

Admission Requirements:

Students applying for entrance to the Master of Science in Agriculture are required to submit an application for admission, Apply Online (dpkn.iin3d.com/academics/graduate-studies).

  • Two letters of recommendation
  • Official transcript from an accredited school (if a student has attended more than one school, transcripts must be submitted from all schools attended). At least one transcript must document the student has a bachelor’s degree.
  • Immunization Record

Decisions are made only after receipt of all credentials by the department’s admission committee. The department uses an admission formula to accept students. The entire application packet, including all supporting materials, must be submitted to the Graduate School. Official test scores must be submitted from Education Testing Service (ETS) and must not be older than five years, official transcripts from the sending school, and Credential Evaluations (International students) from an approved Credential Evaluation Service.

Standardized Test:

The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test is the official standardized test required for admission to the Master of Science in Agriculture. WAIVED

Degree Requirements:

The curriculum for the Master of Science in Agriculture in Agricultural Economics requires 33 credit hours of coursework and a non-thesis project for degree completion. This track also offers a thesis option. An oral defense of the thesis is required for progression to degree completion. Students complete 21 hours of required core credits and 12 hours of required electives.

Graduation expectations require the following:

  • A minimum of 27 credit hours of graduate instruction must be completed in residence at pg电子下载 State University
  • Earn no more than two Cs in coursework
  • Write an acceptable non-thesis manuscript or thesis and successfully defend it
  • Official transcripts on file for all transfer credits accepted by the University

Academic advisors are allowed to accept up to six semester credit hours earned at an accredited university with a grade of “B” or higher for graduate coursework completed. Substitutions of coursework are allowed with the approval of an advisor and department administrators up to nine hours if the substitution(s) meet curriculum requirements.

See Transfer of Credits Policy for additional information.
See the Substitution of Courses Policy for additional information.

Academic Track: Non-Thesis & Thesis

The Non-Thesis Research Project is an exit requirement for the Master of Science in Agriculture in Agricultural Economics. This discipline has specific expectations for selection of topics and the type of non-thesis project. Students pursue independent research on a question or problem of their choice in the relevant disciplines under the guidance of a graduate faculty to produce a five-chapter paper that reflects understanding of the topic and future impact for higher education. The student translates research into practice and may assist a principal investigator in research.

The Non-Thesis Plan is a smaller-scale research project that investigates a specific topic of interest or special problem not covered in organized courses. This non-thesis research project consists of three chapters.

The Thesis Plan is available to students who want to pursue a more in-depth research study in preparation for a more advanced or terminal degree. The Thesis Plan consists of five chapters.

Master Degree Audit:

Before candidacy for graduation can be confirmed, each student progression to degree completion will be evaluated to determine if student has met all academic requirements for course work and other aspects of the student’s course of study and Graduate School requirements. When these requirements are met, the student is cleared for graduation.

Time to Degree Completion

pg电子下载’s time to degree completion policy allows 6 years to complete the agricultural economics program. Degree completion depends on the pace a student completes the curriculum. If the time exceeds six years, the student must petition the Graduate School to consider an appeal for more time to degree completion.

See the Student Academic Appeals Policy for Expiration of Timeline for additional requirements

Degree Plan and Course Sequence

Non-Thesis Plan
AE 510 Resource Development
AE 511 Theory Agricultural Demand Agriculture Production
AE 515 Economics of Consumer Behavior
AE 520 Advanced Farm Organization and Management
AE 525 Advanced Marketing
AG 610 Thesis I
PS 590 Advanced Research Techniques

Thesis Option
AE 510 Resource Development
AE 515 Economics of Consumer Behavior
AE 520 Advanced Farm Organization and Management
AE 525 Advanced Marketing
AG 610 Thesis I
AG 611 Thesis II
AG 612 Thesis III
PS 595 Experimental Designs

Approved Electives
AB 604 Agribusiness International Trade
AE 508 Rural Economic and Community Development
AE 511 Theory Agricultural and Agricultural Management (Thesis Option Only)
AE 601 Special Problems in Agricultural Economics
AN 500 Administration of Agricultural Education
AN 510 Agricultural Education Media
AN 515 Advanced Principles and Philosophy of Vocational Education
EC 501Advanced Microeconomics
EC 502Advanced Macroeconomics
EC 520 Comparative Economic Systems
EC 530 Economic Security and Social Welfare
FI 530 Survey of Finance
MG 541 Survey of Management
MG 560 Survey of Quantitative Methods
PH 504 Psychological Statistics
PS 590 Advanced Research Techniques (Thesis Option Only)
PS 595 Experimental Designs

For More Information Contact:
Dr. Victor Njiti ▪ 601.877.6572 ▪ [email protected] (Department of Agriculture)