Graduate Degrees

The Department offers a joint PhD in Applied Economics (with Forestry and Economics faculty), an MS in Agricultural Business and Economics, an MS in Rural Sociology, and a Master of Agriculture degree. For further information about graduate study refer to the AERS Graduate Handbook, the Interdepartmental Graduate Program in Sociology Handbook, and the Graduate School’s Graduate Handbook Summary.

Take a look at our PhD alumni spotlights. Since 1936, almost 1400 students have graduated from our department.

View AERS Alumni Spotlights

The range of experience and research interests among faculty provides a strong and diverse graduate experience. Specialty areas of faculty include production economics, price analysis, marketing, finance, quantitative and qualitative methods, applied econometrics, international trade, economic development, environment and natural resources, aquacultural economics, agribusiness, farm management, justice and governance, social and community organization, and community development. Additional areas of concentration, such as statistics, agricultural production science, economics, computer science, human sciences, and social sciences may be emphasized with graduate course work in other departments.

Faculty Research Interests 

Applications are accepted year round. However, to be considered for financial assistance all application materials should be received by March 10th for those wishing to enter Fall semester of the same year.

Handbook for Degrees in Agricultural Economics

Handbook for Degrees in Rural Sociology

Completed Graduate Theses

Please have a look at our recent graduate student theses that demonstrate a solid foundation in agricultural economics and rural sociology, particularly in the areas of theory, research methods, statistics, and human diversity.

Completed Rural Sociology Theses