Graduate Admissions and Funding

We are excited that you are interested in joining the Department of Agricultural Economics. Our on-campus graduate students receive competitive stipends, tuition waivers, and discounted health insurance as part of their research or teaching assistantship. Students applying for admission are also considered for funding. In other words, there is no separate application process for an assistantship.

Application Materials:

The Department of Agricultural Economics requires the following support material for all applicants, which must be submitted with the online application.

1. A carefully prepared two-page statement of objectives for graduate study.
2. A current resume.
3. Names and contact information for three references familiar with your academic work, from whom we will request letters of recommendation. If you have an M.S. degree, letters should be from someone familiar with your M.S. program.
4. GRE scores. Enter your scores in the online application form along with the date on which the exam was taken (GRE scores are valid for 5 years), and have the official scores sent to us. The institution code for Kansas State University is 6334.
5. Transcripts of all previous undergraduate and graduate coursework. Upload electronic copies of your transcripts where prompted in the online application system. If the transcript is not in English, you will also need to upload a copy of an official translation. If the transcript does not use a 4 point grading system, provide information so grades can be converted to an A, B, C, D, F scale. If you are admitted, the Graduate School will require you to submit original, official transcripts.

Application Deadlines:

We accept and review applications at any time of year, and students can enter the program either starting in the fall (August) or spring (January). To be fully considered for funding, applications should be submitted by January 8 for fall admission and by August 1 for spring admission. Whether you are applying for funding or not, international students must apply by these dates to allow sufficient time for visa processing. We will accept applications after these dates for domestic students, but initial funding allocations will be made in January and August. For applicants residing in the U.S. who are not requesting funding, the final application deadlines are May 1 for fall admission and October 1 for spring admission.

English Proficiency Scores:

English proficiency test scores are required if English is not your native language (your country of birth). Specific countries exempt from this requirement are listed here. Valid scores accepted are TOEFL, PTE, and IELTS. We do not accept ‘Duo Lingo’ or TOEFL IPT. For admission purposes, if you received a U.S. degree in the last two years, test scores are not required. The Kansas State University institution code is 6334.

*Graduate Teaching Assistantship (GTA): Please note that any non-native English speakers, whether a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or international student, offered a Graduate Teaching Assistantship (GTA) must meet the speaking requirements as specified in Chapter 1, Section G in the Graduate Handbook.

Frequently Asked Questions:

• Do I need to contact faculty members to secure an assistantship before I apply?

  No. All admission and funding decisions are made by the Graduate Committee and not individual faculty.

• Can I upload my unofficial transcript for the application?

  Yes, you can use an unofficial transcript in the application. However, if you are admitted then you will need to provide an official transcript.

• Do you require the GRE and is there a minimum GRE score?

  Yes, we require the GRE but there is no minimum required score. The committee reviews all of the required application materials, not just specific scores, when making recommendations for admission and funding. We do not have specific GPA or GRE scores that guarantee either admission or denial of admission. However, given the importance of quantitative skills in our graduate program, the committee will pay close attention to the GRE quantitative score. The committee will also look for evidence that applicants have background training and/or coursework in calculus, statistics, and intermediate level microeconomics. The Kansas State University institution code is 6334.

• Who makes decisions regarding admission to the graduate program?

  The Graduate Committee is responsible for these decisions, and their decisions must be approved by the Graduate School.

• Do I need to complete the financial affidavit portion of the application?

  Applicants will be prompted with a series of questions and based on answers to these questions applicants will be asked to upload the appropriate documents to the application if needed. Please note you do not need to have personal funds available if you are applying for an assistantship from K-State.

• In the admission letter I received from the Graduate School, it says that the Director of Graduate Programs will be my advisor. Does that mean I will work on my thesis/dissertation under the Director’s supervision?

  No. That is a common misunderstanding. The Graduate School appoints the Director of Graduate Studies as the advisor for all incoming graduate students in our department. The director will advise you on courses to take etc. upon your arrival. By the end of your second semester, you should choose your major professor and file the program of study. You will work on your thesis/dissertation under the supervision of your major professor from then on.

• Where can I find information about housing in Manhattan?

  The grad school has a housing guide available here. K-State off-campus housing support also lists several useful resources here.

• Can I visit K-State to see if it’s the right place for me?

  Yes, students who have already applied to the Department of Agricultural Economics graduate programs are welcome to visit campus and meet with our current students and faculty. Please email Amy Geyer to make arrangements for a campus visit.