Agricultural Economics

Allen M. Featherstone, Head
Allen M. Featherstone, MAB Director of graduate studies
Nathan Hendricks, AGEC Director of graduate studies

342 Waters Hall
785-532-6702
Fax: 785-532-6925
http://ageconomics.k-state.edu/

On- Campus Program description

The Department of Agricultural Economics offers on-campus studies leading to a Master of Science (M.S.) or Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree. The M.S. and Ph.D. programs stress a strong foundation in economic theory and quantitative analysis, and their application in agricultural and rural issues.

The Agricultural Economics program seeks to achieve excellence in teaching, research, and Extension through the development of the individual student. The core curriculum is deliberately broad in order to build a framework of fundamental information so that new findings and concepts can be assimilated as they arise in the rapidly changing field of agricultural economics. In addition, the programs are designed to provide graduate students a core body of common knowledge through a number of required courses and limited electives.

The core curriculum requires of every student successful completion of courses in microeconomic theory, macroeconomic theory, quantitative methods, production economics and agricultural marketing.

Off- Campus Program description

An off-campus distance Master’s of Agribusiness (MAB) degree is offered through the Agricultural Economics Department for working professionals. The MAB program emphasizes the application of economic and management concepts to problems facing the agribusiness professional. The program is designed for off-campus students who wish to continue full-time employment while pursuing the post-baccalaureate degree. The MAB program emphasizes the study of economic and agribusiness management concepts and their application to food and agricultural business situations. The curriculum focuses on current issues facing agribusiness managers while providing tools for making better decisions in the areas of risk management, logistics, financial management, strategic planning, agricultural resource and trade policy, marketing, human resource management, and institutional changes within agriculture. Two one-week campus sessions are required during both the first and second year of the program. For additional information please see the Agribusiness (MAB) - Distance Program catalog page.

Admission

M.S. and Ph.D. Degrees

Most incoming students have degrees in agricultural economics, economics, business, or some other field in agriculture. Some students have degrees in other social sciences, statistics, computer science, or engineering. The most important consideration for applicants is an interest in continued study and intensive research in some area of agricultural, resource, or environmental economics with the minimum prerequisites for admission to the program. A strong background in economics and quantitative methods are the most important requirements.

Application for admission to the program in a fall semester should be made in the preceding winter or early spring.

Admission to graduate study in agricultural economics requires a minimum grade point average of 3.0 (B average) in the last two years of undergraduate work that earned a bachelors degree. Undergraduate subject matter requirements are as follows:

Two courses in the principles of economics
A course in intermediate microeconomics or production economics and agricultural market structures
A course in intermediate macroeconomic theory
An additional course in agricultural economics or economics
A course in statistics
A course in calculus

Students whose undergraduate academic performance and program of study warrant admission, although some of the subject matter requirements are not met, may be admitted provisionally. Students admitted provisionally will make up these deficiencies by enrolling in appropriate courses for undergraduate credit.

Applicants with grades in the final two years of an undergraduate program that average below 3.0 may, in exceptional cases, be considered for probational admission. Applicants admitted on a probational basis must acquire regular standing by doing satisfactory graduate work during the first semester of graduate study.

Research facilities

The Department of Agricultural Economics is well equipped for research in agricultural economics. Computing equipment and support staff are available to assist researchers. Interdisciplinary research is encouraged and facilitated.

Graduate programs and research in departments such as economics, statistics, mathematics, computer science, industrial engineering, business administration and the production departments in agriculture provide support for research and graduate education in agricultural economics.

Financial support

The Department of Agricultural Economics financially supports graduate study and development in numerous ways. Students enrolled in the M.S. and Ph.D. programs are eligible for graduate research, teaching, and extension assistantships. Departmental faculty regularly secure research and extension grants from federal agencies, state agencies, commodity commissions, research foundations, and private industry. In addition, the Department routinely supports many teaching and research assistantships. The Department has a successful record of securing USDA National Needs Fellowships and other graduate student fellowships and scholarships. Graduate assistantships are usually on a five-tenths basis. Stipends vary depending upon time worked and level of graduate education. Funded graduate assistants and instructors are regarded as Kansas residents for enrollment fee purposes.