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.
M.S. in Agricultural Economics
The program of study will be planned in a field of interest, such as agricultural marketing, production economics, markets and prices, environmental economics and more.
M.S. in Rural Sociology
The M.S. in rural sociology is a multi-disciplinary degree program focused on community development, quality of rural life, and environment and natural resources.
PhD in Applied Economics
The PhD in Applied Economics involves faculty from the Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology, Department of Economics, and School of Forestry.
Graduate Minor
The Graduate Minor in Agricultural Economics (GMAE) provides education and training in the application of economic principles to problems affecting rural households or communities.
Alumni Spotlights
Take a look at our PhD alumni spotlights. Since 1936, almost 1400 students have graduated from our department.
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.
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.
Graduate Student Awards
Year
Author
Title
Organization
Discipline
Advisor
2018
Patterson, James
Rural Sociological Society
Rural Soc
Bailey, C.
2017
Richardson, Dalton
Rural Sociological Society
Rural Soc
Ashwood, L.
2016
Obadaci, Suzan
Gamma Sigma Delta Competition Award
Tuskegee Chapter, Gamma Sigma Delta
Applied Economics
Hartarska,V.M.
2013
Christensen, Stefanie
Auburn University Graduate School
Rural Soc
Worosz, M.R.
2013
Adu-Guamfi, Akua
Top ten finalist, Three Minute Thesis (3MT) Competition
Auburn University Graduate School
Rural Soc
Worosz, M.R.
2010
Denny, Riva
3rd Place, Graduate Student Oral Presentation
Tuskegee Chapter, Gamma Sigma Delta
Rural Soc
Worosz, M.R.
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.