PhD. in Agricultural Economics

Our Ph.D. program is focused on developing students so that we are the premier destination for employers seeking Ph.D.-trained agricultural economists in the areas of applied research, extension, and teaching. Most of our Ph.D. students are offered graduate research and teaching assistantships that provide competitive stipends, tuition waivers, and discounted health insurance. We also strive to foster a culture among grad students and with faculty that is supportive and collaborative.

Our program has maintained a focus on issues related to food and agriculture. Students specialize in a variety of areas relevant to food and agriculture including: production, marketing, agribusiness, consumer, natural resources and the environment, trade, and development. Students generally complete their coursework requirements in 2 years and work with faculty to complete a dissertation. Our faculty receive national awards for the quality of their research, serve as editors of peer-reviewed journals, and are elected to offices of major organizations.

Students engage in research from the beginning of the program and publish journal articles. Assistance is provided to travel to conferences to present their research and compete in case study competitions. Students are also provided with an opportunity to teach a course under the mentorship of a faculty member where they can learn and demonstrate best practices. Students with an interest in extension can collaborate on materials posted on our AgManager.info website and present at the Risk and Profit Conference.

While grad school can be challenging, it can be highly rewarding in a positive environment. Our grad students support each other and also enjoy spending time together outside of school. While our faculty have esteemed research and extension outputs, they also care deeply about each of the students that they mentor. We enjoy getting to know students individually and connecting with students outside of work through various social events.

Students graduating from K-State go on to work in academia, the public sector, or industry. Recent graduates have had an especially strong record of being placed in tenure-track faculty positions at land-grant university (Past Placements).