Program Requirements Graduate Admissions
At Nebraska, you can create the future you want. Our STEM-designated flexible master's program gives you the tools to do more. One-on-one faculty membership helps you grow as a student, a researcher, and a person. 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 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 and right here in Nebraska. The diverse experiences and backgrounds of our students enrich our STEM designated master’s program. We encourage collaboration and value the contributions of our master's students to our department.
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
Classes
All master's students take:
- AECN 873 - Microeconomic models and applications, 3 credits (Recent Syllabus)
- AECN 896 - Econometrics, 4 credits
- AECN 872 - Mathematical Tools for Applied Economics, 1 credit
- AECN 821 - Orientation to research, 1 credit
Thesis
Nearly all of our students complete a thesis. It provides an opportunity to delve deeper into a topic of interest and explore economic questions. Our recent graduates' thesis work is available here.
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.