MSU Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics  , Graduate Education > Degree Requirements

Overview of Degree Requirements

M.S. Degree

  • Two M.S. degrees are offered: Plan A--minimum 30 credits with a 6-credit thesis and no minor field, and Plan B--minimum 33 credits with a 3-credit research paper and a 6-credit minor field.
  • Both Plan A and Plan B students must pass a final oral exam, typically based largely on the thesis or research paper.
  • Typical degree completion time for the M.S. degree is two calendar years, though earlier completion is quite feasible.
  • For details, see the M.S. program section of the Graduate Policy and Program Handbook.

Ph.D. Degree

  • The Ph.D. degree requires four fields: economics (courses in the Economics Department), applied microeconomics a major field in agricultural, food, and resource economics and a fourth field that may be outside agricultural, food, and resource economics. The major fields offered are development economics, environmental and resource economics, food and agribusiness management, and food and agricultural markets. Each student works with his/her guidance committee to develop a course program that supports the student's long-term career goals and meets degree requirements.
  • Students must pass three written comprehensive examinations: microeconomic theory, statistics/econometrics, and the major field in agricultural, food, resource economics. The first two exams are prepared and graded by the Economics Department. Students have two tries in which to complete each of these exams.
  • Students must gain formal approval for their research proposal, must complete the dissertation and defend it satisfactorily at a final oral examination, and must prepare a research paper suitable for publication.
  • Typical degree completion time for the Ph.D. degree is five years (three after the M.S. degree).
  • For details, see the doctoral program section of the Graduate Policy and Program Handbook.

Dual Degree Options

Students may choose to pursue a second graduate degree along with the M.S. or Ph.D. degree in agricultural, food, and resource economics.  Most commonly, agricultural, food, and resource economics Ph.D. students obtain a Ph.D. in economics along with their agricultural, food, and resource economics degree.

 

Updated on June 15, 2011