Ph.D. Specialty Options
Developing expertise in a focused area is critical for scholarly success. Specialization is necessary for gaining insight into and solving complex economic problems. University, government, and agribusiness employers scrutinize applicant specialization when making hiring decisions.
Developing a credible specialty requires completing an excellent core curriculum in the specialty area, working with professors renowned in the field, and producing creative scholarly products that contribute to the body of knowledge in the area of specialization.
The Department of Agricultural Economics faculty has particular expertise in several key areas that are in demand. The faculty works with graduate students, scientists from other disciplines, industry, and government to conduct research, publish, and provide expert consultation to solve important focused problems. Faculty members also teach courses and conduct outreach programs in several specialized areas.
Particular fields of specialization of the Department include numerous faculty members working together with graduate students in:
Agribusiness:
Solving industry problems related to financial analysis, market development, risk management, consumer demand, food product quality, food safety, personnel management, production management, environmental issues, policy and others.
(Two of the following with at least one from AGEC 880 or AGEC 890)
AGEC 890 Advanced Food and Agribusiness Management
AGEC 880 Agribusiness Industry Structures
FINAN 815 Corporate Finance
MANGT 820 Behavioral Management Theory
MKTG 810 Marketing Concepts and Research
ECON 947 Industrial Organization
Community and regional economics:
Addressing particular issues of concern for rural communities including public finance, economic development, health and education, resource utilization, local governance, and public services.
(Two of the following)
ECON 832 Public Sector Analysis*
ECON 925 Location of Economic Activities*
ECON 955 Theory and Methods of Regional Economic Analysis*
SOCIO 832 Sociology of Community
AGEC 955 Advanced Topics in Community and Regional Economics
Natural resources:
Addressing critical resource issues including water quality and utilization, land use, waste management, and public policy.
AGEC 825 Natural Resource Policy
AGEC 925 Advanced Resource and Environmental Economics
International development:
Working with developing countries to enhance agricultural productivity, develop markets, build transportation infrastructure, increase efficiency, adopt technology, and assist in education and training.
(Two of the following)
AGEC815 International Agricultural Development
AGEC840 International Markets and Agricultural Trade
AGEC 810 Price and Income Policies for Agriculture
ECON 981 International Trade Theory and Policy*
Price analysis and marketing:
Analyzing agricultural price determinants, price forecasts, market demand, risk management, marketing contracts and alliances, vertical coordination and integration, market structure and competitiveness, marketing strategies, and policy.
AGEC 810 Price and Income Policies for Agriculture, OR AGEC 880 Agribusiness Industry Structures
In addition to one of the following:
STAT 730 Multivariate Statistical Methods
STAT 880 Time Series Analysis
ECON 935 Time Series Econometrics*
ECON 938 Microeconometrics*
Production, farm management, and finance:
Developing management techniques to increase profitability including financial leverage, capital investment, technology adoption, land valuation, information utilization, efficiency, and agricultural policy.
AGEC 812 Advanced Farm Economics (may be replaced with FINAN 815)
One of the following:
IMSE 982, IMSE 830, IMSE 991 or EECE 870
Students are encouraged to consult with their advisor(s) about additional courses to enhance their training in a field. Alternative specialties, or variances to those described above, may be designed by a student’s supervisory committee with the approval of the graduate committee.
*No course can be used to meet both a specialty and a core program requirement
