Agribusiness and Applied Economics
| Program and Application Information | |
|---|---|
| Department Location: | 500 Barry Hall |
| Department Phone: | (701) 231-7441 |
| Department Email: | ndsu.agribusiness@ndsu.edu |
| Department Web Site: | www.ag.ndsu.edu/agecon/ |
| Application Deadline: | March 1 to be considered for an assistantship |
| Degrees Offered: | M.S. |
| Test Requirement: | GRE (for assistantship consideration) |
| English Proficiency Requirements: | TOEFL ibT 79 IELTS 6.5 |
Program Description
The Department of Agribusiness and Applied Economics offers two Master of Science degrees: (1) Agribusiness and Applied Economics, and (2) International Agribusiness. Graduates of both programs are prepared to analyze important agricultural development, finance, marketing, policy, production, resource, international trade, and transportation and logistical issues facing society.
The Agribusiness and Applied Economics Master of Science degree includes areas of specialization in applied economics, agribusiness, and transportation and logistics.
The Applied Economics area emphasizes course work in economic theory, research methods, and quantitative techniques. The option is designed to prepare students for careers in agricultural economics research in private and public sectors and for Ph.D. programs at other institutions.
The Agribusiness specialization is a broad-based program which combines training in agribusiness management, economic analysis, and agricultural sciences. Training may include biotechnology, processing, and food and environmental safety. Students are prepared for a variety of successful careers in agribusiness by fulfilling the requirements for expertise in quantitative methods and developing a rigorous background in economic theory and research.
The Departments of Agribusiness and Applied Economics and Civil Engineering, in conjunction with the Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute, offer an interdisciplinary graduate program in multimodal transportation. The program includes rural and non-metropolitan planning, highway and railroad engineering, freight transportation operations and economics, and agribusiness logistics and distribution. Both thesis and comprehensive study options are available.
Students of all options have complete access to well-equipped research facilities and to faculty supervision time. (A favorable faculty to student ratio is maintained.) The department has an excellent placement record with national and international agricultural and business firms, as well as government agencies.
Admission Requirements
Students who do not meet all requirements for admission or have deficiencies in prerequisite course work, but show potential for successful graduate study, may be admitted under a conditional status. Evidence must be provided showing that the applicant's potential is not adequately reflected by his/her record. After meeting the specified standards of performance set by the department, the student, in consultation with the major adviser, may request a change to full graduate standing.
It is desirable that students begin their program in the fall semester, although students may also begin their program of study in January. The application for admission should be received by the Graduate School by March 1 if the student wishes to be considered for financial assistance. International students are advised to submit applications no later than March 31 to ensure VISA documents will be completed for a fall matriculation.
Financial Assistance
Application for financial assistance should be made to the department at the same time as application to the graduate school. Applicants to graduate school who are accepted in less than full standing will not be eligible for an assistantship until their status changes to full standing. Granting assistantships depends on academic performance, departmental needs, and availability of assistantships. Application forms may be obtained from the department.
Students pursuing a Master of Science in Agribusiness and Applied Economics (thesis option or comprehensive study option) must complete all core courses. Students select elective courses (with approval of the adviser and supervisory committee) to fulfill the remaining Graduate School credit requirements. The core requirements assure breadth and competence in key areas of knowledge and professional activity. It is required that students have competence in calculus, multiple regression analysis, and intermediate microeconomics.
M.S. in Agribusiness and Applied Economics
Required
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| AGEC 701 | Research Philosophy | 1 |
| ECON 710 | Advanced Econometrics | 3 |
| AGEC 739 | Analytical Methods for Applied Economics | 3 |
| AGEC 741 | Advanced Microeconomics | 3 |
| AGEC 797 | Master's Paper | 1-10 |
| or AGEC 798 | Master's Thesis | |
Thesis Option
- Minimum of 16 credits of approved graduate-level course work
- 6 to 10 credits of AGEC 798 (Thesis)
- Minimum of 30 credits of course work and thesis credits
Comprehensive Study Option
- Minimum of 7 credits of quantitative courses (including ECON 610, ECON 710, AGEC 739, AGEC 711 or other approved quantitative courses)
- Minimum of 21 credits of approved graduate-level course work
- 2 to 4 credits of AGEC 797 (Comprehensive Study)
- Minimum of 30 credits of course work and comprehensive study credits
Robert Hearne, Ph.D.
University of Minnesota, 1995
Research Interests: Natural Resource and Environmental Economics
Robert S. Herren, Ph.D.
Duke University, 1975
Research Interests: Economic History, Labor, Money and Banking
Jeremy Jackson, Ph.D.
Washington University in St. Louis, 2008
Research Interests: Microeconomics, Political Economy, Public Finance
Ryan Larsen, Ph.D
Texas A&M University, 2009
Research Interests: Agricultural Finance, Risk Management
Siew Hoon Lim, Ph.D.
University of Georgia, 2005
Research Interests: Production Economics, Transportation, Industrial Organization
Gregory McKee, Ph.D.
University of California, Davis, 2006
Research Interests: Industrial Organization, Agribusiness, Cooperatives
Dragan Miljkovic, Ph.D.
University of Illinois, 1996
Research Interests: Agricultural Prices, International Trade, Agricultural and Food Marketing and Policy
Frayne Olson, Ph.D.
University of Missouri, 2007
Research Interests: Crop Marketing Strategies, Crop Supply Chain Management, Agricultural Contracting, Agricultural Risk Management
Timothy Petry, M.S.
North Dakota State University, 1973
Research interests: Livestock marketing
David Ripplinger, Ph.D.
North Dakota State University, 2011
Research Interests: Production Economics and Marketing
David Roberts, Ph.D.
Oklahoma State University, 2009
Research Interests: Natural Resource and Environmental Economics, Econometrics, Production Agriculture
David M. Saxowsky, J.D.
The Ohio State University, 1979
Research Interests: Agricultural Law
Saleem Shaik, Ph.D.
University of Nebraska, 1998
Research Interests: Agriculture Policy and Risk Management, Agriculture Production Economics
Cheryl J. Wachenheim, Ph.D.
Michigan State University, 1994
Research Interests: Agribusiness
Tom Wahl, Ph.D.
Iowa State University, 1989
Research Interests: International Marketing and Trade, Agricultural Trade Policy, Marketing and Price Analysis
William W. Wilson, Ph.D.
University of Manitoba, 1980
Research Interests: Commodity Marketing, Agribusiness, Industrial Organization
Lei Zhang, Ph.D.
University of Texas at Dallas, 2011
Research Interests: Applied Econometrics, Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics, Regional and Urban Economics
