phd agricultural economics

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UC Davis Agricultural and Resource Economics

The Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics at UC Davis offers one of the world's top graduate programs in agricultural economics, development economics, and environmental and resource economics. Students in our program complete a rigorous plan of study in microeconomic theory, econometrics, and field courses, and benefit from close collaboration and hands-on advising with faculty. We welcome students from a wide range of backgrounds and places, and value the diversity they bring to our program.

In these pages you will find key information about our program, including the program philosophy, application procedure, financial aid, and course offerings. Our graduate handbook provides you with all the relevant information about expectations, procedures, and requirements to be met as you make your way toward your degree objective.

If you have any questions after reading these pages, please send an e-mail to [email protected] .

We also offer a post-graduate certificate program, for students currently enrolled in a graduate program abroad who seek to enhance their training in applied economics at UC Davis.

Main Office: 530-752-1515 Student Advising Services: 530-754-9536 DeLoach Conference Room: 530-752-2916 Main Conference Room: 530-754-1850

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Ph.d. in agricultural economics.

At Nebraska, you can create the future you want. Our STEM-certified Ph.D. program gives you the tools to do more. One-on-one faculty membership helps you grow as a student, a researcher, and a citizen. Our students collaborate with each other, across disciplines, and across the world.

Why Agricultural Economics?

At Nebraska, you'll find a community of students and faculty ready to help you succeed. The three-part mission of a land grant institution means you have access to researcher, teachers and extension specialists. Faculty research is concentrated in five areas:

Agriculture Firm Profitability and Sustainability Behavioral and Experimental Economics Industrial Organization of the Agri-Food System International Trade and Development Natural Resources Rural Innovation and Development

Why Nebraska?

In the Department of Agricultural Economics, you get the best of both worlds. You'll attend a world-class, Big Ten university and have access to the all the academic resources and activities that come with it. At our East Campus location, you get a small-school atmosphere with one-on-one personal advising and a community that cares about you. At Nebraska, we believe in the power of every person. And we don't rest on our strengths — we stretch them.

How to Apply What You Will Learn Funding and Cost About the Ph. D. in Ag Econ

Students come from across the world to participate in our STEM designated doctoral program. The program is enriched by the diverse experiences and backgrounds of our students. We encourage collaboration and value the contributions of our PhD students to our department.

Diya Ganguly Ph. D. Student

"There is a wonderful sense of being truly welcomed and made to feel at home by everyone I have met on campus and everyone in my department."

Simanti Banerjee Associate Professor

"I was drawn to UNL’s strong agricultural focus, its membership in the prestigious Big 10 Conference, UNL’s location in the State Capital where it is close to various stakeholder agencies."

Badri Khanal PhD Alumnus

"UNL feels like a home away from home. Lincoln has a very welcoming community for international students."

Kofi Britwum PhD Alumnus

"I appreciate having advisers/professors who saw in me what I didn't see in myself, and nurtured me to become an independent researcher and an academic."

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How to Apply

Requirements.

• A master's degree with a minimum G.P.A. of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
• Students without a master’s degree will also be considered but they must have completed core requirements for the master's degree in agricultural economics.
• See all Graduate Studies admission policies .

Prerequisites

• Master's level microeconomics
• Master's level macroeconomics
• Master's level econometrics
• Calculus I, II, and III

Field courses in areas of interest are recommended but not required.

Other Information

• The GRE is not required but is recommended for students seeking an assistantship.
• If your native language is not English, verification of English proficiency is required. Graduate Studies determines exemptions from this requirement.
• You do not need to contact a faculty member to be considered for admission or an assistantship.

Application

In addition to Graduate Studies' requirements . We require:

• A one-page to three-page statement of purpose. It should explain why you want to pursue a graduate degree and describe your interests.
• Three letters of recommendation. We recommend at least two of these letters are from faculty members who can describe your academic abilities.
• Resume or curriculum vitae

What You Will Learn

All doctoral students take:

• ECON 912A and 912B - Advanced Microeconomics I & II
• ECON 912A and 912B - Advanced Macroeconomics I & II
• ECON 917, 918, and 919 - Econometrics I, II & III
• STAT 882 - Mathematical Statics I-Distribution Theory
• Two courses from the AECN 901 block (6 credit hours)
• Two courses from the AECN 902 block (6 credit hours)

In addition to the core requirements, Ph.D. students are expected to:

• Prepare a department or a conference presentation (or paper) before the fourth year begins
• Have a paper submitted to a peer-reviewed journal before graduating

Credit Hour Requirements

• At least 90 credit hours, including 12 to 55 hours of dissertation research
• At least half of the graduate work, including the dissertation, will be completed in the department

Funding and Cost

Graduate tuition and fees.

For current graduate tuition and fee structure and rates, visit studentaccounts.unl.edu/graduate-tuition.

Assistantships

Graduate research assistantships are the most common form of financial assistance. A GRA consists of a stipend and benefits. Tuition is waived for students on assistantships, but fees of approximately $1,200/year must be paid by all students. A major portion of the fee for student health insurance is included in GRAs. Each year, we receive funding from the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources Agricultural Research Division for GRAs. These are not tied to a specific research project but support the research needs of the department and institute. There is no separate application for assistantships and applicants do not need to contact a faculty member to be considered.

Faculty often have grants or other funding to support graduate students. More information .

READY TO APPLY?

Doctor of Philosophy in Agricultural Economics

• Fall January 10

International students may need to surpass the Graduate School’s minimum English language proficiency exam scores for this program. If the graduate program has unique score requirements, they will be detailed below. Otherwise, please refer to the Graduate School’s minimum score guidelines.

Degree Description:

The PhD in Agricultural Economics is designed to provide the student with an excellent foundation in the theory and methods of economic analysis as well as experience in applied analysis of agricultural, agribusiness, and/or resource economics problems. Career opportunities for agricultural economists also include academia, government, and the private sector. Many academic positions (especially at land grant universities) include salary support for a combination of teaching, research, and/or outreach related to the food and fiber sectors and the natural resource base that supports them.

Admission Requirements:

Statement of Purpose, 3 letters of recommendation, CV, GRE, Unofficial Transcripts

Student Opportunities:

The collaboration between students and professors is really close, our offices are often next to each other, and it is common for professors to coauthor papers with PhD students, which turn into journal publications. In the last years, coauthored papers with our students were published in journals such as American Journal of Agricultural Economics , Economic Inquiry , Agricultural Economics, Canadian Journal of Economics , Journal of Environmental Economics and Management , and Economic Letters , among others. In addition, the environment between students and professors is very collegial, and we meet once a week (normally after seminars) for drinks in a more relaxed environment.

We fund around 80% of admitted students, who receive graduate assistantships from our School. The rest of students are often funded by governments in their home countries, or foundations, such as the Fulbright or the Soros Foundations.

Career Opportunities:

Academia, Government and the Private Sector

Job Market Guide

Career Placements:

The job market placement of our recent PhD graduates has been extremely positive, including positions at the University of Arkansas, Penn State University, Yale University (Post-Doc), University of Connecticut, California State University, Cornell University (Post-Doc), University of New Mexico, Illinois State University, University of Kentucky, University of Oklahoma, University of Georgia, Colorado State University, and University of Nebraska; at government agencies such as the US Department of Agriculture and the United Nations; and firms such as JP Morgan-Chase and American Express.

Contact Information:

• Jaimie Dahl, Asst. to the Director, and Graduate Coordinator [email protected]
• Jeffrey Luckstead, Associate Professor, and Graduate Studies Chair [email protected]

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PHD, Agricultural & Applied Economics

Rigorous curriculum and cutting-edge research programs in a wide range of economic fields. Work closely with nationally recognized, experienced faculty to break new ground in our understanding of human decision making and economic institutions.

Degree Type: Doctoral

Degree Program Code: PHD_AGAE

Degree Program Summary:

Graduate study in agricultural and applied economics leading to a Master of Science degree in agricultural and applied economics or environmental economics and Doctor of Philosophy degree provides a wide range of educational opportunities in addressing the issues of production and distribution of food and fiber, natural resource and environmental management, and the quality of rural life. These programs prepare students for careers of leadership through development of a high degree of economic comprehension and decision making. Applications of economic theory and econometrics to resolve economic problems are the major areas of focus for courses in the department. The department has offered graduate degree programs for over 55 years. Its graduates hold key positions in both the private and public sectors in the state, the nation, and throughout the world. Graduates are employed in a wide range of positions, with robust demand in private industry from health care to food and fiber wholesale firms. Graduates are employed in domestic and international academic positions.

Graduate study is offered at both the masters and doctoral levels. The Master of Science (MS) in agricultural and applied economics and the Master of Science (MS) in environmental economics degrees require 27 hours minimum of course work and three hours of thesis. A Master of Agribusiness (MAB) degree consists of a minimum of 36 hours of course work including a technical report in lieu of a formal thesis. The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree consists of a minimum of 63 hours of course work beyond the bachelor’s degree, satisfactory performance on written and oral examinations, and a formal dissertation.

Graduate instruction and research may be undertaken in the following areas of specialization: agricultural marketing and consumer demand, agricultural business management, production economics, natural resources and environmental economics, and international trade and development.

Graduate research is coordinated with the department’s overall research program. Students may select a research topic related to the department’s current research projects or an approved area of sponsored research. Exceptional computer facilities, software, and support are available for departmental research.

Financial assistance is available to graduate students on a competitive basis in the form of departmental research assistantships. Paid internships are also available from regional and national agribusiness firms.

Locations Offered:

Athens (Main Campus)

College / School:

College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences

147 Cedar Street Athens, GA 30602

706-542-3924

Department:

Agricultural and Applied Economics

Graduate Coordinator(s):

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Graduate Program

Why study at uc berkeley's department of agricultural and resource economics.

Aprajit Mahajan, associate professor of agricultrual and resource economics, working with a student after class. Photo: Jim Block

Our graduate program in agricultural and resource economics produces outstanding researchers in development economics, environmental and energy economics, international trade, and agricultural and resource policy.

Students enrolling in our doctoral program complete a rigorous course of study, including microeconomic theory (offered by the Department of Economics), econometrics, and field courses offered by ARE, the Department of Economics, and the Haas School of Business. A number of our graduate students also take doctoral-level courses in the Department of Statistics.

Read a  letter to prospective graduate students  from the chair of our department, Jeremy Magruder

Why ARE - Advice from Current and Former Students

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• Doctor of Philosophy in Agricultural Economics
• Master of Science in Agricultural Economics
• Information for New Graduate Students
• Graduate Student Handbook
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• Graduate School Bulletin
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• NSF Graduate Research Traineeship

The reasons people have come to the University of Kentucky for a Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics range from a desire to feed the world, a desire to apply and advance the knowledge they have already gained in economics, a desire to have meaningful work that will have an impact beyond academia, and a desire to enjoy a large job market.

*Our department is currently not accepting Ph.D. students for Fall 2023* 

Please check back for updates on admission for Fall 2024. 

Application and Admission Admission to the Ph.D. program is obtained upon recommendation of the graduate program committee and approval of the Director of Graduate Studies. Ordinarily, students entering this program will have completed a Plan A Master's degree (thesis) program at UK or elsewhere. In exceptional cases, a student holding the B.S. degree may enter the doctoral program without first completing the M.S. degree, but only upon receiving special approval. To do so, formal request to by-pass a Master's degree shall be made by the student after the completion of 15 hours of graduate credit. Please see our Prospective Graduate Students page for more information.

Requirements to Complete Degree

• Ph.D. Course Plan
• Qualifying Exams
• Research Paper (must be completed within one year of theory course sequence)
• Research Prospectus
• Oral Examination
• Dissertation
• Final Oral Examination

Please see the AEC Graduate Student Handbook for details.

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• Doctor of Philosophy

Agricultural, Environmental and Development Economics Doctor of Philosophy

Welcome to the Department of Agricultural, Environmental and Development Economics (AEDE) at The Ohio State University. Housed in the College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, AEDE currently has twenty-two world-class faculty members and administers highly respectedbachelor’s, master’s and PhD programs.

AEDE’s faculty provide world-class teaching, research and outreach in applied economics, with concentrations in the areas of:

• agricultural economics and agribusiness
• environmental and resource economics
• international and development economics
• regional and urban economics

Doctoral Program The AEDE PhD program is a globally recognized leader in the disciplinary areas of agricultural, environmental, and development economics. In 2011, our doctoral program was ranked by the National Research Council as the top program in Agricultural and Resource Economics in the United States.

Students learn to apply the skills they acquire , through rigorous training in economic theory and advanced quantitative methods, to a wide range of real-world economic problems. PhD degree recipients go on to assume teaching, research, and managerial positions with:

• universities and colleges
• research institutions
• government agencies
• multilateral international institutions
• nongovernmental organizations
• private companies and corporations

If you want to learn more about our Department’s outstanding programs, please explore our website . If you have any questions, if you would like more information, or if you are ready to join one of the elite departments at Ohio State and in the world, let us know at [email protected] or give us a call at 614-292-7911.

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College of Agriculture & Natural Resources Department of Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics

Ph.d. degree.

• Ph.D. students establish competency in the fields of microeconomic theory and econometric methods (courses taught in the  Department of Economics ), applied microeconomics, and a major field in Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics.
• Major fields are offered in Development Economics, Environmental and Resource Economics, and Food and Agricultural Economics . Students with an interest in  regional economics and/or state and local government policy select a major field based on their area of specific interest. Each student works with their guidance committee to develop a course program that supports the student’s long-term career goals and meets degree requirements.
• Students must meet grade requirements in microeconomic theory, econometric methods, and applied microeconomics to be qualified to proceed in the Ph.D. program.
• By the end of their third year, students are required to produce and present an original paper. The original research component, which must go beyond a literature review, should be sufficiently well-developed to convince the student’s research paper committee that the paper is publishable. Evaluation of the written paper and oral presentation constitutes the student’s comprehensive exam for the Ph.D.
• After passing the comprehensive exam, students proceed to defend a dissertation research proposal, complete the dissertation, and defend it at a final oral examination.

Students typically complete the Ph.D. degree in four to five years. Full details on Ph.D. degree requirements are available in the Department’s Graduate Policy and Program Handbook.

Completed Dissertations

View the dissertations written by AFRE Ph.D. graduates since 1990.

Graduate Research Symposium Papers

View a list of authors and titles of research papers presented at Graduate Research Symposiums to date.

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Department of Agricultural, Environmental, and Development Economics

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The PhD program is a globally recognized leader in the disciplinary areas of agricultural, development, environmental and regional economic s and was previously ranked by the National Research Council as the top program in Agricultural and Resource Economics in the United States.

Students acquire rigorous training in economic theory and advanced quantitative methods and learn to apply these skills to a wide range of real-world economic problems. Degree recipients go on to assume teaching, research and managerial positions with universities and colleges, research institutions, government agencies, multilateral international institutions, nongovernmental organizations, and private companies and corporations.

An MS degree is not required for admission to apply to the PhD Program.  Students whose undergraduate degrees are not in economics or business are welcome to apply as well.

Learn more about the application criteria and process >>>>>

Fields of specialization

Students are required to take a total of 12 credit hours of frontiers courses that provide specialized training in the field of their choice. The AEDE frontiers courses cover topics relevant to agricultural economics, environmental and resource economics, regional economics and development economics. Graduate students are given wide latitude to design their own program of study and to choose a dissertation topic. In recent years, under the supervision of AEDE faculty members, doctoral students have conducted innovative theoretical and applied research on agricultural policy and trade, agricultural finance and risk management, consumption and marketing economics, food economics and agribusiness, environmental and natural resource economics, international and regional economic development, poverty and food security, climate change,  agricultural economics,  spatial and land-use economics, health economics, bioeconomics, and experimental and behavioral economics. Innovative research that addresses pressing social problems is encouraged, regardless of the sub-discipline of economics with which it may be identified.

Course requirements

Students must complete a minimum of 90 graduate semester credit hours and take the non-credit Math Camp offered by the Department of Economics in July and August, immediately preceding the start of classes in the first year. Students are required to take a minimum of 56 credit hours of in-class coursework. This is comprised of 44 credit hours of required courses that provide a strong foundation in microeconomic theory, econometric theory, applied econometrics and applied welfare as well as 12 credit hours of frontiers courses relevant to the student’s intended research topics to provide more specialized training. All additional credit hours cover departmental seminar requirements and dissertation research. Please refer to our curriculum sheets for the first year and second/third years in the PhD program for a more detailed understanding of the required coursework.

Examinations

In addition to required coursework, students must: Pass a microeconomics theory qualifying examination prior to the beginning of the second year; Pass the second year manuscript requirement prior to the beginning of their third year; Pass the candidacy examination and defend their doctoral dissertation proposal, typically before the beginning of their fifth year; Complete the doctoral dissertation and pass a final oral examination.  

Questions? We are here to help. Please email AEDE Graduation Admissions and Services below for more information about the PhD program.

AEDE Graduate Admissions and Services

[email protected]   | 614-292-7911

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• Agricultural and Applied Economics, Ph.D.

Doctoral students develop comprehensive proficiency in economic theory, mathematics, econometrics, and major and minor fields of concentration. In addition to the prerequisites for the master's program, doctoral applicants should also have mathematical statistics and linear algebra. Candidates for the Ph.D. degree must complete the general requirements of the Graduate School, as well as further requirements which are detailed in the department's application material and website .

The Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics offers graduate degree programs leading to the master of science and doctor of philosophy. Long recognized as one of the top programs in the nation, the department is an active center of research and graduate training in environmental and natural resource economics, the economic development of low-income countries, agricultural economics, community economics, and more recently, resource and energy demand analysis.

Graduate students select courses from among the department's advanced offerings in these areas. Active department seminar and workshop series complement formal classroom instruction. In addition, many students have the opportunity to work as graduate research assistants on projects with individual faculty members. Faculty and students carry out research in virtually every region of the globe, with Latin America, Southeast Asia, and sub-Saharan Africa as the areas of strongest geographical concentration. 

While members of the faculty define themselves professionally in terms of the areas of applied economics within which they work, the graduate programs are predicated on the notion that good applied economic analysis requires rigorous and thorough training in economic theory and econometrics. The Ph.D. curriculum is grounded in comprehensive training in economic theory and econometrics and relies on the doctoral core in theory and econometrics offered by Wisconsin's outstanding Economics program. When matched with the department's applied courses, which teach students how to use advanced methods to conceptualize and answer contemporary economic problems, this strong core training prepares students for a variety of challenging careers. A A E graduates have taken positions in academic research and teaching; economic consulting in the private sector; and economic staffing in public agencies and nongovernmental organizations at the local, state, national, or international level. A majority of the department's Ph.D. graduates take faculty positions at universities and colleges.

Department faculty are affiliated with a broad range of institutes and centers across the campus, including the Gaylord Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies, the Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems, the University Center for Cooperatives, the Renk Agribusiness Institute, Center for Community Economic Development, and the international area studies programs. Each program has its own rich intellectual life of seminars and other activities.

The department provides student office space, a lounge, and IT support for its approximately 80 graduate students. The Taylor–Hibbard Club, the department's graduate student organization, serves as a link between graduate students and the faculty, elects student representatives to department committees, and promotes academic and social activities for its members.

Please consult the table below for key information about this degree program’s admissions requirements. The program may have more detailed admissions requirements, which can be found below the table or on the program’s website.

Graduate admissions is a two-step process between academic programs and the Graduate School. Applicants must meet the minimum requirements of the Graduate School as well as the program(s). Once you have researched the graduate program(s) you are interested in, apply online .

For details on the agricultural and applied economics Ph.D. application process, please visit:

For more information on the A A E Ph.D. degree please contact:

Mary Treleven Graduate Program Manager [email protected] Phone: 608-262-9489

Graduate School Resources

Resources to help you afford graduate study might include assistantships, fellowships, traineeships, and financial aid.  Further funding information is available from the Graduate School. Be sure to check with your program for individual policies and restrictions related to funding.

Program Resources

The department offers a number of research assistantships, and students have competed well for university-wide fellowships. The department's students have also received nationally competitive fellowships and research grants from the National Science Foundation, the Social Science Research Council, the Fulbright programs, and others. New students applying for the Ph.D. who wish to be reviewed for the university fellowship competition must complete their applications by December 15.

Minimum Graduate School Requirements

Major requirements.

Review the Graduate School minimum academic progress and degree requirements , in addition to the program requirements listed below.

MODE OF INSTRUCTION

Mode of instruction definitions.

Accelerated: Accelerated programs are offered at a fast pace that condenses the time to completion. Students typically take enough credits aimed at completing the program in a year or two.

Evening/Weekend: ​Courses meet on the UW–Madison campus only in evenings and/or on weekends to accommodate typical business schedules.  Students have the advantages of face-to-face courses with the flexibility to keep work and other life commitments.

Face-to-Face: Courses typically meet during weekdays on the UW-Madison Campus.

Hybrid: These programs combine face-to-face and online learning formats.  Contact the program for more specific information.

Online: These programs are offered 100% online.  Some programs may require an on-campus orientation or residency experience, but the courses will be facilitated in an online format.

CURRICULAR REQUIREMENTS

Required courses, graduate school policies.

The  Graduate School’s Academic Policies and Procedures  provide essential information regarding general university policies. Program authority to set degree policies beyond the minimum required by the Graduate School lies with the degree program faculty. Policies set by the academic degree program can be found below.

Major-Specific Policies

Prior coursework, graduate work from other institutions.

With program approval, students are allowed to count no more than 18 credits of graduate coursework from other institutions. Coursework earned ten years or more prior to admission to a doctoral degree is not allowed to satisfy requirements.

UW–Madison Undergraduate

No credits from the UW–Madison undergraduate degree are allowed to count toward the degree.

UW–Madison University Special

This program follows the Graduate School's policy for Transfer from UW–Madison University Special Student Career at UW–Madison.

This program follows the Graduate School's Probation policy.

ADVISOR / COMMITTEE

Every graduate student is assigned to a faculty member advisor. To ensure that students are making satisfactory progress toward a degree, students are expected to meet with their advisor at least once a semester.

CREDITS PER TERM ALLOWED

Time limits.

Students must pass the microeconomic theory requirement before the beginning of year 3. Students must finish all required coursework and pass the major field exam before the beginning of year 4. Students must defend a dissertation proposal before the end of the first semester of year 4.

A candidate for a doctoral degree who fails to take the final oral examination and deposit the dissertation within five years after passing the preliminary examination may by required to take another preliminary examination and to be admitted to candidacy a second time.

Doctoral degree students who have been absent for ten or more consecutive years lose all credits that they have earned before their absence. Individual programs may count the coursework students completed prior to their absence for meeting program requirements; that coursework may not count toward Graduate School credit requirements.

grievances and appeals

These resources may be helpful in addressing your concerns:

• Bias or Hate Reporting  
• Graduate Assistantship Policies and Procedures
• Office of the Provost for Faculty and Staff Affairs
• Dean of Students Office (for all students to seek grievance assistance and support)
• Employee Assistance (for personal counseling and workplace consultation around communication and conflict involving graduate assistants and other employees, post-doctoral students, faculty and staff)
• Employee Disability Resource Office (for qualified employees or applicants with disabilities to have equal employment opportunities)
• Graduate School (for informal advice at any level of review and for official appeals of program/departmental or school/college grievance decisions)
• Office of Compliance (for class harassment and discrimination, including sexual harassment and sexual violence)
• Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards (for conflicts involving students)
• Ombuds Office for Faculty and Staff (for employed graduate students and post-docs, as well as faculty and staff)
• Title IX (for concerns about discrimination)

College of Agricultural and Life Sciences: Grievance Policy  

In the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS), any student who feels unfairly treated by a member of the CALS faculty or staff has the right to complain about the treatment and to receive a prompt hearing. Some complaints may arise from misunderstandings or communication breakdowns and be easily resolved; others may require formal action. Complaints may concern any matter of perceived unfairness.

To ensure a prompt and fair hearing of any complaint, and to protect the rights of both the person complaining and the person at whom the complaint is directed, the following procedures are used in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. Any student, undergraduate or graduate, may use these procedures, except employees whose complaints are covered under other campus policies.

• The student should first talk with the person at whom the complaint is directed. Most issues can be settled at this level. Others may be resolved by established departmental procedures.
• If the complaint involves an academic department in CALS the student should proceed in accordance with item 3 below.
• If the grievance involves a unit in CALS that is not an academic department, the student should proceed in accordance with item 4 below.
• If informal mediation fails, the student can submit the grievance in writing to the grievance advisor within 10 working days of the date the student is informed of the failure of the mediation attempt by the grievance advisor. The grievance advisor will provide a copy to the person at whom the grievance is directed.
• The grievance advisor will refer the complaint to a department committee that will obtain a written response from the person at whom the complaint is directed, providing a copy to the student. Either party may request a hearing before the committee. The grievance advisor will provide both parties a written decision within 20 working days from the date of receipt of the written complaint.
• If the grievance involves the department chairperson, the grievance advisor or a member of the grievance committee, these persons may not participate in the review.
• If not satisfied with departmental action, either party has 10 working days from the date of notification of the departmental committee action to file a written appeal to the CALS Equity and Diversity Committee. A subcommittee of this committee will make a preliminary judgement as to whether the case merits further investigation and review. If the subcommittee unanimously determines that the case does not merit further investigation and review, its decision is final. If one or more members of the subcommittee determine that the case does merit further investigation and review, the subcommittee will investigate and seek to resolve the dispute through mediation. If this mediation attempt fails, the subcommittee will bring the case to the full committee. The committee may seek additional information from the parties or hold a hearing. The committee will present a written recommendation to the dean who will provide a final decision within 20 working days of receipt of the committee recommendation.
• If the alleged unfair treatment occurs in a CALS unit that is not an academic department, the student should, within 120 calendar days of the alleged incident, take his/her grievance directly to the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs. The dean will attempt to resolve the problem informally within 10 working days of receiving the complaint. If this mediation attempt does not succeed the student may file a written complaint with the dean who will refer it to the CALS Equity and Diversity Committee. The committee will seek a written response from the person at whom the complaint is directed, subsequently following other steps delineated in item 3d above.

Funding packages are offered to selected Ph.D. applicants.

Take advantage of the Graduate School's  professional development resources to build skills, thrive academically, and launch your career. 

The Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics invites applied economists to participate in a seminar series. Students get various presentation opportunities to present their latest research in department and student seminars.  All students are required to take a research colloquium which helps students develop their dissertation proposal and plan for their job search. Faculty provide mock interviews and detailed feedback on interviewing skills. A A E placement information is on the department website.

• Articulates and critiques theories and empirical methods to address research issues in agricultural, environmental, international development, or community economics.
• Identifies data sources, applies appropriate econometric methodologies, and evaluates quantitative evidence relevant to questions in agricultural, environmental, international development, or community economics.
• Creates scholarship that makes a substantive contribution to the chosen major field and/or to society.
• Clearly communicates applied economics issues, methods, and empirical analysis using both written and oral strategies.
• Recognizes and applies principles of ethical, collegial and professional conduct.

Deller, Steven Foltz, Jeremy Mitchell, Paul Phaneuf, Daniel Rutherford, Thomas Schechter, Laura Shi, Guanming (Chair)

ASSOCIATE PROFESSORS

Du, Sheldon Grainger, Corbett Fletcher, Jason* Nicholson, Charles Parker, Dominic

ASS ISTANT PROFESSORS

Conroy, Tessa Dower, Paul Hadachek, Jeff Jerch, Rhiannon Johnston, Sarah Mukherjee, Priya Stevens, Andrew

FACULTY ASSOCIATES

Beach, Jeremy Berner, Courtney van Rijn, Jordan

Roth, Kevin

GRADUATE  ADVISOR Mary Treleven  

*AAE Affiliate Faculty  

• Requirements
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Contact Information

Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics College of Agricultural & Life Sciences 608-262-9489 [email protected] aae.wisc.edu

Dominic Parker, Director of Graduate Studies [email protected]

Mary Treleven, Graduate Program Manager [email protected] 608-262-9489

Graduate Program Handbook View Here

Graduate School grad.wisc.edu

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Agricultural & Consumer Economics

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Doctor of Philosophy in Agricultural and Applied Economics

Degree requirements   Sample program

Study and research for the Ph.D .in Agricultural and Applied Economics typically requires four years beyond the MS degree.

• The first year is devoted to completing the Ph.D. core courses which cover the theory and quantitative methods upon which field or elective courses in agricultural and consumer economics are based.
• The second year is usually devoted to courses in the student's chosen area(s) of specialization and to completion of an independent research paper.
• The third year students present their research paper, complete research, and orally defend a proposal for dissertation topic.
• The fourth year student defend their final exam and deposit their dissertation.

Upon completing courses and passing a written preliminary examination, doctoral students must complete a significant research paper and orally defend a proposal for dissertation research. The oral defense assesses their preparation and plans for independent research and other related topics. Each Ph.D. candidate presents the completed research in a final dissertation defense.

The Ph.D. degree is a STEM-designated program.

To view the general requirements of the PhD program, see the university's academic catalog . We have also created a sample program to help visualize how a Ph.D. student's time would be spent.

Specializations

ACE is a leader in agricultural and applied finance. The program has both a strong research base, and proven record working with industry participants and policy makers to address real-world problems and develop useful tools and outreach products. Students in the graduate program can become involved in any of a wide range of finance-related topics including asset valuation, credit assessment, firm-level financial management, investment and capital budgeting evaluation, leverage, financial structure, lending policies, agricultural credit institutions, and national and international trends affecting financial outcomes in agriculture. The faculty's strong ties to production agriculture, lending institutions, and agribusiness create an environment conducive to problem-oriented research, and provide highly promising post-graduation opportunities.

Recommended Courses for Ph.D. Area of Specialization

Descriptions of courses listed below are available on the  course catalog

• ACE 542, Advanced Agricultural Finance

and at least two of:

• ACE 591, Independent Study (Approved Finance Topics), 4 hours
• FIN 511, Investments, 4 hours
• FIN 561, Financial Intermediation, 4 hours
• FIN 562, Macrofinance, 4 hours
• FIN 591, Theory of Finance, 4 hours
• FIN 596, Seminar in Fin Intermediation, 4 hours

For more information about Agricultural Finance, please contact:

Students in family and consumer economics use applied economics to address policy-relevant issues related to the behavior and well being of families, individuals, and consumers. This area of specialization focuses on household demand, household production, family formation and dissolution, consumer finance and family economics, and government policy. Faculty members are leading experts in several areas of family and consumer research including child support payments; effects of family structure on children's schooling, health, and well being; determinants of household financial well-being; family and consumer policy; consumer information and regulation; and health care issues. Faculty members also have a strong and growing interest in the international dimensions of family and consumer economics, including applications in the areas of international development and consumer finance.

• ACE 531, Impact Evaluation, 2 hours
• ACE 571, Household Economics, 2 hours
• ACE 572, Economics of the Family, 4 hours

For more information about Family and Consumer Economics, please contact:

This area focuses on a variety of management and decision issues relevant to farms and other firms in the food and agribusiness sector. Cooperation with the College of Business allows students to take courses or minor in related business fields. Research areas include decision analysis, information systems, operations management, business organization and strategy, marketing tactics and strategy, and behavior of organizations and decision makers. Close ties with industry executives enrich students' opportunities.

For more information about Food, Agribusiness and Farm Management, please contact:

Students in this area study the role of government in economic development, marketing, finance, international trade, and agriculture. They analyze policies related to market stabilization, international economic relations, food safety and biotechnology, natural resource use, income distribution, and public sector-private sector relations. Students and faculty also study the role of interest groups in the development of policies. Faculty have experience in Australia, Africa, Canada, Asia, Western and Eastern Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East.

• ACE 531 Impact Evaluation, 2 hours
• ACE 556 Agricultural Policy and Political Economy, 4 hours
• ACE 557 Food, Poverty and Development, 2 hours
• ACE 559 Food, Trade and Development, 2 hours
• ACE 571 Household Economics, 2 hours

For more information about International and Development Economics, please contact:

ACE is a leading contributor to economic studies of bioenergy, soil carbon sequestration, water resource management and valuation, resource and habitat conservation, and voluntary environmental programs. Our proximity to some of the world’s most productive agricultural land as well as to the Mississippi River, the Great Lakes, and Chicago provides ready access to important field sites and enables us to be major contributors to environmental, natural resource, and agricultural policy development both nationally and regionally.

At least two of:

• ACE 510, Adv Natural Resource Economics, 4 hours
• ACE 516, Environmental Economics, 4 hours

For more information about Natural Resource and Environmental Economics, please contact:

Students in price analysis and agricultural marketing address the performance of agricultural markets. The department is closely linked with one of the world's most important markets for agricultural commodities. It is a leader in analyzing those markets, including options and futures markets located in Chicago, to find ways of improving the worldwide flow of food and fiber. Other areas of research include market information, grain quality in domestic and international markets, location and transportation analysis, and managing price and income risk.

• ACE 520, Food Commodity Markets, 4 hours
• ACE 527, Advanced Price Analysis, 4 hours

For more information about Price Analysis and Agricultural marketing, please contact:

Regional economics is an intellectually demanding and exciting field. Recognizing that space or location matters adds another dimension of complexity and realism to traditional economics. Traditional questions of regional economics include why some regions prosper while others do not, why some industries cluster, and what public policies can help places become more competitive and prosperous. More recent questions deal with the spatial externalities of weather events on, among others, crop yield and interregional trade as well as the impact of climate change on global supply chain linkages. The University of Illinois has a 40‑year heritage of educating leading regional economists and providing leadership to the Regional Science Association International.

• ACE 532/SE, Spatial Econometrics, 4 hours
• ACE 592, Environmental and economic Input-Output, 4 hours

For more information about Regional Economics and Public Policy, please contact:

Sample Program

*If approved, one field course may also fulfill the quantitative methods requirement.

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Degree Requirements

Sample plan of study, qualifier examination process.

• Comprehensive Examination Progress

Dissertation Requirements

The PhD program emphasizes preparation for teaching, research, and extension work in academia, as well as for careers in agrifood business, government and international agriculture. The program usually requires about three years beyond the master's program to complete. The size, quality and diversity of the faculty provide a broad choice of advisors and research topics. While students and their advisory committees have latitude in developing a plan of study, the following specialties are emphasized in our program: Environmental and Development Economics; Managerial, Behavioral & Organizational Economics; and Public Policy Analysis.

The general requirements for the PhD consist of theory and methods courses, followed by a well-balanced selection of field, elective, and research courses in agricultural and applied economics and other disciplines at the graduate level. The course of study will prepare students for the qualifier exam taken after the first year of courses, the comprehensive exam assessing competency in his or her chosen fields of study, and independent research. A dissertation embodying the results of original research must be written on a subject approved by the program committee. An oral examination over the dissertation completes the degree requirements.

The minimum requirements for the PhD are 72 credit hours of graduate coursework, with at least 30 credit hours from courses numbered 8000–9000, exclusive of dissertation research, problems or independent study. No more than 30 credit hours can be transferred from an MS program. Specific requirements are as follows:

​ Back to Top

Or another 8000- or 9000-level quantitative methods class with advisor’s approval.

Subsequent Semesters: A student can take Field and/or Elective courses. Or Research and/or Dissertation hours.

Back to Top

Students take the Qualifier Exam after completing the first year sequence of courses. Students must pass the Qualifier Exam to continue in the PhD program. The Qualifier Exam consists of two parts. (1) The Microeconomics Qualifier Exam is administered in May of the first year by the Economics Department and is taken at the same time first year Economics PhD students take the exam. Students who fail the Micro Qualifier in May can retake the exam in August. (2) An average GPA of 3.25 for the other courses in the first year core.

Comprehensive Examination Process

Students take the Comprehensive Exam after passing the qualifier exam and completing coursework, including core courses and field courses. The Comprehensive Exam consists of three parts: the written dissertation proposal, a written comprehensive exam, and an oral examination. The Comprehensive Exam is administered by the student’s Doctoral Program Committee. The Comprehensive Exam must be completed at least seven months before the final dissertation defense.

Two types of dissertations are acceptable. The first type of dissertation is organized around a single topic and typically is a lengthy monograph of research findings. The second type of dissertation is a compilation of three essays that are related to a general theme or topic. Students select dissertation topics in consultation with their Doctoral Program Committee.

Admission into the PhD program is determined by an assessment of program prerequisites and application materials. Prerequisites for the PhD program include courses in intermediate microeconomics; intermediate macroeconomics; econometrics or regression and correlation analysis; differential calculus; and statistics. Applicants who have not met these prerequisites or have limited background in economics may be required to correct these deficiencies or take certain courses without graduate credit before being formally admitted into the program. A master’s degree in economics, agricultural economics, or a related field, is preferred but not required for admittance into the PhD program. Minimum requirements for admission into the PhD program are a Bachelor’s degree (BA or BS) or equivalent and undergraduate GPA of 3.2. The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or an equivalent English competency test is required of applicants whose first language is not English, with minimum TOEFL scores of 80 if internet-based. Applicants should also take the GRE or GMAT exams. Domestic and international students are equally welcome to apply.

The following should be submitted as part of the application process:

• Statement of purpose explaining why you want to study at the University of Missouri
• Three letters of recommendation
• Official transcripts
• GRE (or GMAT) score report
• TOEFL (or equivalent) score report, if applicable

For priority consideration for assistantships, fellowships and scholarships, applications should be submitted by January 15 for Fall enrollment and September 1 for Spring enrollment. 

For More Information

For further information on admissions or financial assistance, write to Teo Skevas, Director of Graduate Studies, 215 Mumford Hall, Columbia, MO 65211, or [email protected].

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Department of Agricultural Economics 342 Waters Hall 1603 Old Claflin Pl Kansas State University Manhattan, KS 66506 785.532.6702

Dr. Allen Featherstone, Department Head

AgManager.info YouTube

Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics

Graduate education in Agricultural Economics stresses the development of superior competence as an applied economic analyst. Students should have the desire to understand and solve the complex and changing economic problems facing the food and agricultural industries, and rural society and our natural resources and the desire and ability to learn methods of rigorous logical analysis.

The Ph.D. program is operated in cooperation with the Department of Economics . Students earn a Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics. Our graduates have taken postitions in academia, research, extension, government and industry. We are very proud of our impressive record of success.

Students will learn about economic theory, apply that knowledge in research methodology, general agricultural economics and a specialty branch including: agribusiness, international development, natural resources, price analysis/marketing, production/farm management/finance, community and regional economics, trade and policy. Our faculty is well-respected not only in these areas but also in the fields of econometrics, entrepreneurship, environmental economics, food safety, industrial organization and regulation.

At the completion of 12 hours of microeconomics and macroeconomics, students take qualifying examinations in micro and macroeconomic theory. Students then continue to complete all course work in their area of study. Next, students take a general agricultural economics preliminary examination. When the student has passed this exam, he or she is admitted to candidacy.

Candidates prepare a written dissertation proposal, which includes an identification of the problem, a review of literature, and an outline of proposed research procedures to be used. The candidate must satisfactorily defend the proposal in a seminar at least six months before the final Ph.D. oral, in which the candidate defends the dissertation.

Course Requirements

Specialty Areas

Ph.D. Handbook

Graduate Program Information

For information regarding our on-campus Master's degree and Ph.D. options , please contact:

Dr. Nathan Hendricks Director of Graduate Programs 326 Waters Hall 785.532.3740 [email protected]

For information on our  online Master of Agribusiness program , please contact:

Dr. Allen Featherstone Master of Agribusiness Program Director 342 Waters Hall 785.532.4441 [email protected]

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Search Form

Agricultural economics (phd), agricultural economics , phd.

Agricultural economics applies principles of economics and econometrics to the analysis of issues related to the production, marketing, distribution, and consumption of food and the supporting natural and human resource systems.

Description

The STEM-certified agricultural economics program at Nebraska provides a foundation for professional problem solving through courses in production economics, agricultural industrial organization, international agricultural trade, agricultural development, natural resource economics, and agribusiness. Cooperation with the Departments of Economics and Statistics and the College of Business provides excellent opportunities for supplementing and complementing the courses offered through the Department of Agricultural Economics.

The broad base of the educational program supports diverse career opportunities in areas such as private, university and government research, business management, loan analysis, consulting, agricultural production, and college-level education. Graduates are employed by businesses, governments, non-governmental organizations, and academic institutions around the globe.

Applying for Admission

Standard requirements for all graduate programs.

• Application for Admission with $50 non-refundable application fee .

If International: Uploads must include all college- or university-level transcripts or mark sheets (records of courses and marks earned), with certificates, diplomas, and degrees plus certified English translations.

After admission: Official documents are required from all students who are admitted and enroll. Photocopies of certified records are not acceptable. International students enrolled in other U.S. institutions may have certified copies of all foreign records sent directly to the Office of Graduate Studies by their current school’s registrar office.

When sending TOEFL scores, our institution code is 6877 and a department code is not needed.

• If applicant is not a US citizen and expects an F or J visa: financial information .
• Applicants must also fulfill any additional requirements the department specifies at the time of application.

Program-Specific Admission Requirements

Additional requirements specific to this program.

• Entrance exam(s):  GRE not required but strongly recommended for students seeking an assistantship.
• Curriculum Vitae or Resume
• Personal Statement:  This statement should describe your goals and your reasons for pursuing this degree in three pages or less.
• Writing Sample (optional)
• Coursework Form: Prerequisite Worksheet for Ag Econ (PhD) .
• Faculty (optional): Identify up to three faculty members that you are interested in working with. This information will help match admitted students with advisors and funding opportunities.
• Three letters of recommendation

Admission Application Deadlines

Agricultural Economics

Campus Address

102 Filley Hall Lincoln NE 68583-0922

Graduate Chair

Christopher Gustafson

Support Staff

Related programs.

• MS Agricultural Economics
• Cert Rural Economic and Community Vitality

The University of Nebraska does not discriminate based on race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, and/or political affiliation in its programs, activities, or employment.

UNL Graduate Chairs and staff please complete the program update form to provide edits. Updates to graduate program pages are made on an annual basis in conjunction with the Graduate Application for Admission.

AAE Ph.D. Program

The AAE Ph.D. program provides a rigorous background in economic theory and analysis, combined with applied economics courses in the areas of Development, Natural Resources and Environment, Agriculture and Community Economics. Students will enjoy small class sizes, a supportive atmosphere, and strong relationships with their major advisor and the AAE community.

The program takes 4-5 years to complete. The Ph.D. curriculum relies on the doctoral core in theory and econometrics offered by Wisconsin’s outstanding and highly ranked Department of Economics . When matched with the department’s applied courses,  students learn how to use advanced methods to conceptualize and answer contemporary economic problems. This strong core training prepares students for a variety of challenging careers .

Required Coursework:

Microeconomics Theory I (Econ 711, 3 credits) Microeconomic Theory II (Econ 713, 3 credits) Macroeconomic Theory (Econ 712, 3 credits)

• Statistics and Econometrics (6 credits) Economic Statistics (Econ 709, 3 credits) Econometrics (Econ 710, 3 credits)
• Major field courses (9 credits) 3 courses from advanced applied economics area courses
• Minor field courses (9 credits) 3 courses from one outside department or 3 courses from two or more departments z
• AAE 780: Research Colloquium, 3 credits
• 51 credits are required for the PhD. After coursework, the remainder of credits are taken as independent research credits, AAE 990, 15 credits.

Active department seminar and workshop series complement formal classroom instruction.

Preliminary examinations are required in microeconomic theory and a major field. The microeconomic theory prelim is administered and graded by the faculty in Economics. Students receiving grades of B or better in the microeconomic theory core can choose not to sit for the prelim. Pass rates for AAE students have historically been around 85%. The major field prelim is administered and graded by the AAE faculty.

The Ph.D. also requires a dissertation. Most students’ dissertation work includes a period of primary data collection and field work either in this country or abroad, often in the developing world.

Accepted candidates are offered funding in the form of Teaching Assistantships, Research Assistantships or Fellowships.

The following video features an AAE Ph.D. student and his research.

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PhD student research

Poverty alleviation

AAE PhD student Qinan Lu looks at impacts of residential relocation on rural household efficiency.

Conflict and learning

PhD student Osaretin Olurotimi uses spatial data to analyze the effect of conflict on learning outcomes of children in Uganda.

Award-winning research

Gaurav Doshi receives the 2022 PhD Bromley Paper Prize for research on short and long-run effects of electricity grid expansion.

Social norms & economics

Sakina Shibuya works on a project in Pakistan looking at roles of social norms on decisions to hire women in the garment industry.

Wetland ecosystems

Nicole Karwowski, left, studies how wetland ecosystems improve crop yields and create climate-resilient agricultural systems.

Crime & economic shocks

Itzel De Haro Lopez studies the effect of NAFTA on violence and economic growth in Mexico's avocado sector.

Scholar research award

Vikas Gawai was selected by the Center for Financial Security to be a Junior Scholar chosen for his research on social security.

PhD Program

The Ph.D. program trains students to design, perform, lead, and implement economic research projects in the fields of environmental and resource economics, agricultural economics, and development economics. It also trains students in how to disseminate research results in the major professional media including journals, reports, conferences, and seminars. It provides rigorous training in microeconomic theory and econometrics and in the application of microeconomics and econometrics to policy issues. Students completing their Ph.D. degrees find employment in academia, U.S. government agencies, international organizations, and consulting firms.

Requirements for the PhD degree include a minimum of  42 credits  of coursework, completion of a four-course field, 12 credits of PhD dissertation research (AREC 899), development of a research paper worthy of submission to a well-regarded journal, development and defense of a dissertation prospectus, and successful defense of a PhD dissertation

PhD in Applied Economics and Management Program

Earn your doctorate at the dyson school—an innovative, immersive phd program.

Prepare for research-rich careers in academia and industry.

Offered by the Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management at Cornell University, this PhD program is fully funded, fully residential—and fully designed to prepare you to tackle today’s most pressing economics issues. 

Earning a doctoral-level degree opens you up to exciting opportunities, whether you plan to teach at the college level, want to pursue a research-related career in industry, or wish to use your skills and knowledge in the nonprofit sector.

Why Earn a PhD in Applied Economics and Management at the Dyson School?

Considered one of the best applied economics PhD programs in the nation for research output, the Dyson School’s doctoral offering combines Ivy League rigor, experiential learning, and faculty mentorship. Here are just a few ways our program is unique among applied economics PhD s:

Fully Funded

All applied economics PhD students receive full tuition assistance, plus health insurance and a stipend for all five years

STEM-Designated

Our program prepares you to be a researcher in today’s technologically advanced, big-data-focused landscape.

Flexible and Focused

Choose an industry-focused concentration area, such as food and agricultural economics.

Experience-Rich

Partnerships across Cornell give you unprecedented teaching and research opportunities.

Program Overview: The PhD in Applied Economics and Management at a Glance

Here’s a quick overview of the AEM PhD program, from degree type to program duration:

Degree Awarded

PhD in Applied Economics and Management

Program Format

Full-time residential and STEM-designated

Program Duration

Our Curriculum: PhD Course Requirements

The first two years of the PhD in applied economics and management program include foundational coursework in areas such as economic theory, applied econometrics, and macroeconomic research. Then, you’ll progress into general electives, as well as electives related to your concentration area.

The heart of the PhD program is your dissertation, and this faculty-mentored, research-based project will be the focus of your final three years in the program.

PhD in AEM Concentrations: Developing Your Expertise

As a doctoral student at the Dyson School, you’ll choose one of four concentrations. As you take electives and engage with faculty in one of these research areas, you’ll begin to home in on your own area of expertise. Within this concentration, you’ll develop your dissertation idea and form your special faculty committee.

Environmental, Energy, and Resource Economics (EERE)

Discover how the economy and the environment interconnect. This concentration covers a wide range of existing and emerging environmental issues. EERE students gain environmental economics experience through our partnerships with the Atkinson Center for a Sustainable Future and the Cornell Institute for China Economic Research .

Faculty expertise in the environmental, energy, and resource economics PhD concentration area includes:

• Climate change
• Air and water quality
• Policy evaluation
• Transportation
• Renewable and nonrenewable energy

Food and Agricultural Economics (FAE)

Explore every aspect of the food chain, from farm to market to consumer. Not only will you get to work with experts at the Dyson School, but with our connection to Cornell’s College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS) , Cornell Cooperative Extension , and the Food Industry Management Program (FIMP) , you have unparalleled access to a broad range of experts, including natural scientists, farmers, and food retailers.

Faculty expertise in the food and agricultural economics PhD concentration area includes:

• Agricultural finance
• Behavioral economics
• Food retailing and marketing
• Farm management

International & Development Economics (IDE)

Find solutions to market challenges around the world. This concentration will expand your knowledge of pressing societal issues, including poverty, public health, and agriculture. Teaching and research opportunities for IDE students include the Tata-Cornell Institute for Agriculture and Nutrition , the Emerging Markets Institute , and the Einaudi Center for International Studies .

Faculty expertise in the international and development economics PhD concentration area includes:

• Poverty and inequity
• Nutrition and urbanization
• Public works programs
• Resilience measurement
• Labor markets

Management (MGMT)

Dive into the science of management in industries of all kinds. Concentrating in management gives you flexibility in building your academic plan, including hundreds of electives and endless possibilities for dissertation research topics. Our faculty members have an incredible range of scholarly and professional experience, our management concentration highlights three core areas:

Real Estate Economics (REE)

Faculty in this area examine issues related to real estate and urban development. Research interests include:

• Commercial real estate finance
• Investment performance
• Tall buildings

Strategy and Business Economics (SBE)

Faculty in this area explore a range of strategy-related questions. Their research interests include:

• Digitization
• Human capital management
• Organizational economics

Faculty in this area focus on empirical finance issues. Research interests include:

• Climate finance
• Household finance
• Asset pricing
• Financial institutions

Benefits of a STEM-Designated PhD in Applied Economics and Management

A longtime innovator in economics education, the Dyson School has always prepared its students for the changing marketplace. Our STEM-designated PhD program takes that to another level by ensuring our graduate-level curriculum gives you the technical competencies demanded of today’s researchers. Your studies will cover applied econometrics, machine learning, programming, and other emerging areas relevant to business. 

The STEM designation offers additional benefits to Dyson School students on an F-1 visa, including the opportunity for extended learning and professional experiences in the United States.

After the PhD: Careers in Academia and Industry

A senior data scientist at Citibank. A research agricultural economist at the US Department of Agriculture. An assistant professor at Hong Kong University of Technology. 

Dyson School PhD graduates take their research experience into academia and industry. As scholars, they teach and continue their research at institutions across the US and abroad. They also serve in high-profile economist, data scientist, advisor, and related roles at organizations from federal agencies to global financial services firms to nongovernmental organizations. 

VIEW PhD in AEM CAREER OUTCOMES

Your Dissertation: Putting Ideas into Action

Intellectual curiosity at the Dyson School is strong. Our PhD students devote their research to economics and management topics spanning sectors and industries. Dissertations in recent history take a deep dive into issues such as:

• Tax policy, public health, and government spending
• Food safety and consumer demand in China
• Business process innovation in commercial firms
• Impact of fintech in agricultural economics

Our Faculty: Research with Industry-Leading Scholars

As a PhD student at the Dyson School, you’ll work alongside some of the most brilliant minds in economics and management. In addition to receiving individual mentorship, you’ll get to build your own special faculty committee—an advisory group that will guide you through every step of your dissertation.

Throughout the program—from foundation courses to electives across Cornell—you will learn from award-winning educators, widely published scholars, and industry-leading practitioners.

“One of my favorite aspects of the PhD in Applied Economics and Management program was the abundance of seminars and the regular hosting of conferences. The wide range of seminars and the frequency of conferences created an intellectually stimulating environment and facilitated thought-provoking discussions with experts and peers.” — Natasha Jha ’23

The PhD Student Experience: Living and Learning at the Dyson School

When you join the Dyson School, you will become part of a vibrant, collaborative learning community dedicated to positively impacting people around the world through economic and management research.

Our Community

As a PhD student at Dyson, you will make meaningful connections across campus and beyond. You’ll learn from a world-class faculty, engage with ambitious peers, receive close research mentorship, and have access to a broad range of academic and career support services.

With historic buildings, modern learning spaces, beautiful scenery, and plenty of amenities, Cornell is an amazing place to live and learn. We’d love to show you around campus.

Our Expertise

Our faculty are experts in many areas but perhaps most notably for consulting, consumer packaged goods, financial services, technology, and agribusiness. The breadth and depth of our knowledge is especially helpful as you pursue your doctoral research. 

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Admissions Overview: How to Apply to the PhD in Applied Economics and Management Program

The ideal candidate for the Dyson School’s applied economics PhD program will have a thorough knowledge of economic theory and quantitative methods, as well as a background in calculus and real analysis. Our admissions page has more details about eligibility requirements, deadlines, and materials you need to submit with your application.

Applied Economics FAQ: Your PhD Questions Answered

As you research and compare applied economics PhD programs , you probably have questions about program length, the admissions process, dissertation requirements, career possibilities, and more. Explore the answers to frequently asked questions to help you learn more about the Dyson School’s program.

Next Steps: Apply to the Dyson School PhD in AEM

Ready to apply to our highly selective, fully funded PhD in Applied Economics and Management? We encourage you to officially start the application process today at the Cornell Graduate Admissions website.

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Two McCall MacBain Scholars coming to Mac in 2024

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The McCall MacBain Scholarships at McGill today announced its fourth cohort of recipients: 30 students who will pursue a funded master’s or professional degree combined with mentorship and leadership programming, as well as 117 who earned entrance awards ranging from $5,000 to $20,000 each.

The 30 scholars will enter 20 departments and schools across nine faculties at McGill, including the Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences' School of Human Nutrition and Department of Natural Resource Sciences. It's the first time the School of Human Nutrition will welcome a McCall MacBain Scholar.

“These students inspire us with their compassion and drive,” said Dr. Marcy McCall MacBain, Chair of the McCall MacBain Scholarships at McGill. “Our shared mission is to provide them with an unparalleled graduate education, leadership development opportunities, mentors and lifelong connections. We hope to accelerate their ability to make an impact in communities across Quebec, Canada, and around the world.”

Meet the new Scholars joining our Faculty

Clarisse iradukunda; msc, human nutrition; muhanga, rwanda.

Clarisse Iradukunda holds medical and public health degrees, and she works as a junior doctor. In addition to her clinical practice, she manages an initiative raising awareness of cervical cancer, has launched projects supporting young single mothers, and offers mentorship at health centres. While studying medicine at the University of Rwanda, Clarisse led the city chapter of the non-communicable diseases prevention program and increased awareness campaigns by recruiting nearly 40 more volunteers. She will pursue a master’s degree in nutrition at McGill, planning to work as a clinical specialist in that field.

“As someone who spent the majority of my schooling in Rwanda’s public schools, becoming a McCall MacBain Scholar through an international competitive process makes me very proud of not just myself, but also Rwanda’s educational system. I encourage young girls from village like myself to take advantage of the chances for girls’ education provided by the Rwandan government. This scholarship is not only life-changing but a dream coming true.”

Siena Margorian; MSc, Renewable Resources; Toronto, Ontario

Siena recently completed her bachelor's degree in biology and is a fifth-year concurrent education student at Queen's University, majoring in outdoor education and experiential learning. She started the Armenian student association and currently leads a team of 40 students as president of the climate crisis action group. Siena also volunteers as a first aid responder and as a Scouts troop leader-in-training. She spent last summer researching the ecology and parental behaviours of burying beetles. Siena will pursue a master's degree in renewable resources at McGill's Macdonald campus.

"I’m excited to have this opportunity because I’m passionate about sustainability." "I hope to explore the intersections of conservation, policy, and biology in order to address environmental issues. Sustainability is about health, education, economics, politics, and science; therefore, [...] I look forward to the unique opportunity to learn from peers in their many different fields of study."

Related Links

• Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
• Human Nutrition
• Macdonald Campus
• Dept. of Natural Resource Sciences

Department and University Information

Department of bioresource engineering.