Ph.D. in Agricultural and Resource Economics
The Ph.D. program provides a rigorous background in economic theory and analysis, with applied economics courses in the areas of Natural Resources and Environment, Agriculture, Food, and Development. Students enjoy small class sizes, a supportive atmosphere, and strong relationships with their major advisor and the ARE community. The program takes 4-5 years to complete.
Students earning graduate degrees in ARE at UConn do well in the professional job market. Recent Ph.D. graduates have secured faculty appointments at various U.S. and foreign universities. Several have taken positions with the USDA and other federal government agencies. International students often return to positions with high levels of responsibility in their home countries.
Satisfactory Progress
To ensure that all students make timely progress toward successful completion of their doctoral studies, the graduate faculty of the Agricultural and Resource Economics Department (ARE) have defined the following as the minimum requirements for satisfactory progress in the PhD program. The faculty will assist students through advising and mentorship to achieve these milestones, ultimately leading to the conferral of a PhD within five years of matriculation.
A student Graduate Research Assistantship (GRA) or a Graduate Teaching Assistantship (GTA) who fails to make satisfactory progress may not have funding renewed in the following semester. A student who fails to make satisfactory progress may appeal in writing to the Graduate Committee to present (1) the extenuating circumstances that lead to failure to make adequate progress, and (2) a specific plan for how satisfactory progress will be achieved within the following semester. If the appeal is granted, the student is eligible for renewal of funding, subject to the availability of funds, and department needs.
All students must maintain a Cumulative GPA of no less than 3.0 at all times.
Year 1
Fall Semester
Enroll in and complete with a 3.0 GPA average:
ECON 6201 Microeconomic Theory I
ECON 6301 Advanced Mathematical Economics I or ECON 5301 Mathematical Economics
ECON 6310 Econometrics I
ARE 6311 Applied Econometrics I
Meet with the first-year PhD advisor within the first 2 weeks and, as necessary, after each midterm period to discuss course performance.
If funded, perform GRA/GTA duties as outlined in offer letter, with satisfactory evaluations.
Spring Semester
Enroll in and complete with a 3.0 GPA average:
ECON 6211 Microeconomic Theory II
ECON 6311 Econometrics II
ARE 6313 Applied Econometrics II
Meet with the first-year PhD advisor within the first 2 weeks and, as necessary, after each midterm period to discuss course performance.
Meet with faculty members to discuss potential fit for dissertation research.
If funded, perform GRA/GTA duties as outlined in offer letter, with satisfactory evaluations.
Summer
Identify area of dissertation research and potential major advisor.
Year 2
Fall and Spring Semesters
By the second week of the Fall semester, submit the necessary paperwork to officially change your academic advisor to the faculty member who has agreed to supervise your studies.
By the end of the Fall semester:
- identify the other members of your advisory committee.
- file Plan of Study (POS) with the department and UConn Graduate School. The Graduate School requires the POS when 18 credits are completed.
Complete second year course work as given in POS.
Meet at least three times with academic advisor, including at least one time with entire advisory committee, to discuss format and timing of the Field Paper.
If funded, perform GRA/GTA duties as outlined in offer letter, with satisfactory evaluations.
Summer
Pass the general examination. The examination is administered by the advisory committee and may take the form of a high-quality independent research paper.
Participate in professional meetings and carry out research.
Apply for eligible grants, scholarships and fellowships (if not already on a full fellowship) as advised by advisory committee and as additionally identified by the student. File copies of submitted applications with the Department.
Year 3
Continue to follow the courses and plan as outlined in the filed POS; in the case of any necessary changes to the POS, obtain signatures from the academic advisory and committee and file amended POS with the Department and UConn Grad School by the end of the semester in which the changes occur.
Meet with academic advisor at least three times, including at least 1 time with entire advisory committee, to discuss Dissertation plan.
Prepare proposal for dissertation and defend by the end of Spring semester.
If funded, perform GRA/GTA duties as outlined in offer letter, with satisfactory evaluations.
Apply for eligible grants, scholarships and fellowships (if not already on a full fellowship) as advised by advisory committee and as additionally identified by the student. File copies of submitted applications with the Department.
Participate in professional meetings and carry out research. Submit research findings for publication.
Year 4
Work on dissertation and other research.
If funded, perform GRA/GTA duties as outlined in offer letter, with satisfactory evaluations.
Apply for eligible grants, scholarships and fellowships (if not already on a full fellowship) as advised by advisory committee and as additionally identified by the student. File copies of submitted applications with the Department.
Participate in professional meetings and carry out research. Submit research findings for publication.
Year 5
Work on dissertation and other research. Submit papers for publication.
Apply for grants and jobs.
Submit draft of dissertation to your committee for review by the end of Spring semester.
Dissertation defended by the end of the Summer.
Year 6 and beyond:
The program is designed to be completed within six years. Afterward, students are no longer making satisfactory progress, nor are eligible for GTA/GRA funding. Students may submit a written appeal to the Graduate Committee requesting eligibility to receive funding. The appeal must document the circumstances that lead to an inability to make satisfactory progress, and a plan by which the student will complete their PhD program within a semester.