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 (9 credits): ECON 6201 Microeconomic Theory I,  ECON 6301 Advanced Mathematical Economics I, and 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 ECON 6211 Microeconomic Theory II, ECON 6310 Econometrics I, and 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

        Take the PhD Qualifying Examination.

        Identify an academic advisor who has agreed to supervise your studies.

        Year 2

        For students who have passed the PhD Qualifying Examination

          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.

          Apply for eligible 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.

          For students who have not passed the PhD Qualifying Examination

            Meet with the first-year PhD advisor by the second week of the Fall semester to discuss your strategy for passing the Qualifying Examination. This may include retaking classes from the first-year sequence.

            Identify two faculty members to be members of your advisory committee (the first-year PhD advisor will continue as your major advisor).

            By the end of the Fall semester, file a Plan of Study (POS) with the department and University of Connecticut Graduate School. Note: The Graduate School requires the POS when 18 credits are completed.

            Complete second year course work as given in POS.

            If funded, perform GRA/GTA duties as outlined in offer letter, with satisfactory evaluations.

            Retake the qualifying examination the next time it is offered.  Students receive at most two opportunities to pass the Qualifying Examination. Students who fail their second attempt will face separation from the Ph.D. program.

            Year 3

            Meet all requirements for satisfactory progress from Year 2 that have not yet been completed.

            Complete the Area of Specialization Examination by the end of the Spring semester. The examination is administered by the advisory committee and may take the form of a high quality independent research paper.

            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.

            First Draft of Dissertation Prospectus delivered to advisory committee by the end of the summer.

            If funded, perform GRA/GTA duties as outlined in offer letter, with satisfactory evaluations.

            Apply for eligible 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 4

            Present and successfully defend a Dissertation Prospectus by the end of the Fall semester.

            Complete all required coursework (36 credits)

            Job Market paper draft accepted by the advisory committee by the end of the Spring semester

            If funded, perform GRA/GTA duties as outlined in offer letter, with satisfactory evaluations.

            Apply for eligible 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 5

            Job Market Paper completed by the end of the Fall semester.

            Job Market Paper presentation in the Fall Department seminar series.

            Dissertation Defended before end of the Spring semester.

            Year 6 and beyond:

            The program is designed to be completed within five 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.