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Agricultural Economics

Decision Making at Work for Nebraska

Masters of Science (MS) in Agricultural Economics

The MS in Ag Economics is a flexible program designed to prepare students for analytical or managerial positions in both public agencies and private businesses, or for Ph.D. studies in economics or business. Most students in the Masters Program enroll in Option I, which includes a thesis, but the department also offers an Option III, which substitutes more intensive work in advanced courses for the thesis. The two options require a common core of 7 credits:

Course No.
Course Title Credits
Option I
Option III
ECON 817 Introduction to Econometrics 33
AECN/ECON 873 Microeconomic Theory33
AECN 821 Orientation to Research 11
Thesis Credit6--
Electives1729
TOTAL3036

 

Minors may be declared with a minimum of nine semester hours in the minor department. With additional work in another department, an MS with a double major may be obtained. The department also offers MS degrees with specializations in two interdisciplinary programs--Environmental Studies and Water Resources Planning and Management.

Admission Requirements

Include one semester of calculus, intermediate undergraduate microeconomic theory and macroeconomic theory, and introductory statistics or econometrics. The admission decision is based on academic performance, GRE scores, and recommendations.

The Application Process

Application form: The Graduate Studies Application form is found on line here. The UNL Office of Graduate Studies will not consider your application complete until the application fee is paid.

Once you've completed an application and received an e-mail from Graduate Studies, submit your other materieals though GAMES

  • Graduate Record Exam (GRE) score (recommended for students applying for assistantships)
  • Statement of goals or objectives not to exceed one page
  • Resume/vita
  • Three recommendations
  • Any other material you feel would be useful to us

Timing

Normally, due to the scheduling of courses, students are admitted only for the session beginning in August, but special circumstances will be considered.

We encourage applicants to submit all materials for fall admission by January 15 to be considered for financial consideration. The Department Graduate Committee reviews applications for admission in early February, and applicants are usually informed of this decision by about the middle of the month.

The files of admitted students are reviewed again in late February for making Research Assistantship and/or fellowship offers. Students are usually informed of this decision in early March. The deadline for responding to these offers is April 15.

Fall semester begins about August 20, but students should plan to arrive several days before that for registration and housing arrangements. International students must come for orientation about ten days before classes begin,