The University of Connecticut’s Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics (ARE) is a top ranked program worldwide (RePEc). ARE’s Master of Science degree in Agricultural Economics has been awarded since 1926 and the Doctor of Philosophy since 1957. Over the years, our graduates have distinguished themselves as outstanding business leaders, scholars, and public administrators.
Areas of emphasis for ARE teaching and research include:
- Environmental and resource economics,
- Food marketing and industrial organization
- International economic development
- Demand and price analysis
- Production economics
- Health economics and policy
Our students have considerable flexibility, given advisory committee approval, to choose courses and research that define individualized areas of emphasis. Although most students have majored in agricultural economics, resource economics, or economics, students who have majored in other disciplines are encouraged to apply.
Degree requirements, course offerings, and other key information for prospective and current ARE graduate students can be found in the Graduate Student Handbook
Check out these links for resources and tips for economics research, writing, presenting and professional development.
Master of Science in Applied & Resource Economics
The M.S. degree program seeks to provide a foundation in economic theory, quantitative analysis, and knowledge in a particular area of agricultural and resource economics. For some students, the M.S. is the terminal degree; others continue studying for a Ph.D. degree.
Students are encouraged to select their advisory committee as early as possible. The advisory committee is made up of three graduate faculty members. The chair of the committee must be a member of the Department. Approval of the committee is required in all phases of the student requirements, from coursework to final approval of a thesis or independent study. Continued assistantship support is conditional on satisfactory progress, indicated by a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher and on acceptable performance in assistantship duties.
A Masters Degree is earned through one of three options: Plan A (Thesis), or Plan B (Major Paper or Coursework) or, under certain conditions, as a component of a Ph.D. degree program.
The UConn Graduate School requires a minimum of 30 credits for a master’s program. All three terminal MS program options offered by the Department are based on courses at the 3000-level or higher, consistent with UConn Graduate School policies on transferring credits or using 3000- level courses (maximum of 6 credits).
The list of courses can be found here.
Application instructions for the M.S. program can be found here.
Internships are highly encouraged by the department, and there are several opportunities offered to students through UConn’s Center for Career Development such as the web-based recruiting system, HuskyCareerLink. ARE majors can earn up to 6 credits (combined) of independent study and internship to fulfill their 24 minimum credit requirement for the MS Plan B degree. MS Plan A students are encouraged to do an internship, but the credits cannot be used for meeting the 24 minimum credit requirement.
A list of students who are currently pursuing their M.S. degree can be found here.
A sample of jobs of past M.S. graduates can be found here.
Doctor of Philosophy in Agricultural and Resource Economics
The Ph.D. program in Agricultural and Resource Economics is intended for students who wish to develop their ability to make original contributions to scientific knowledge. Award of the degree testifies to broad mastery of economic theory, quantitative methods, and one or more fields in agricultural and resource economics. Each student selects an advisory committee which consists of a major advisor and two or more associate advisors. The major advisor and at least one associate advisor must be faculty members in the department with appointments that allow them to be advisors of doctoral students. The advisory committee assists the student in developing a plan of study, which the Graduate School must approve no later than when 18 credits of the planned course work is completed.
Application instructions for the Ph.D. program can be found here.
A list of students who are currently pursuing their Ph.D. degree can be found here.
Students who begin the Ph.D. program with a master’s degree in a related subject area must complete 30 credit hours of course work, plus a foreign language or related supporting area requirement. Students who do not begin the Ph.D. program with a master’s degree in a related subject area must complete 45 credit hours of coursework, plus a foreign language or related supporting area requirement.
Expectations for Satisfactory Progress through the PhD Program
A sample of jobs of past Ph.D. graduates can be found here.