Degree Programs in Agricultural, Environmental and Regional Economics

Degree Programs in Rural Sociology

Degree Programs in Community and Economic Development

Graduate Handbook (pdf)
 

Undergraduate Programs
Courses and Schedules
Clubs and Activities

Graduate Program Overview

The graduate program in Agricultural, Environmental and Regional Economics (AEREC) emphasizes economic theory, analytical techniques, and their application. Primary areas of study are food system economics, resource and environmental economics, rural development and demography, and quantitative methods. 

The graduate program in rural sociology emphasizes a comprehensive understanding of the social structures and processes that influence and are affected by rural people, places and organizations. Broad areas of emphasis in the graduate program are community and rural development; agricultural, natural resource, and environmental sociology; and rural social demography. Within these broad areas we have faculty working in social change with an emphasis on rural people and communities, community development, rural family demography (e.g., family structure, fertility, marriage, teen pregnancy), rural poverty and inequality, the sociology of agriculture, natural resources and environment, natural resource dependent communities, rural health and mortality, and consumer behavior and food choice. Faculty have expertise in both domestic and international aspects of these issues and extensive experience with both quantitative and qualitative research methods, survey research methodology, evaluation research, and statistics. As part of their program, all students are required to have training in sociological theory, statistics and research methodology.

Graduate work in community and economic development comes in the form of an innovative Master’s degree program and a World Campus Graduate Certificate. Instruction in the CEDev programs emphasizes training entry and mid-career practitioners in public, non-profit, or private organizations for dealing with the variety of development issues in America’s towns, boroughs, small cities, community organizations, neighborhoods, and rural areas.

Graduate students in agricultural economics may opt for an interdisciplinary, dual-title degree program in operations research. Graduate students in agricultural economics and in rural sociology may also qualify for admission to an interdisciplinary, dual-title degree program in demography. 

The Master of Agriculture is a professional degree. Programs of study leading to this degree provide opportunities for students to increase their knowledge and competencies in various phases of agriculture. A student may obtain intensive training encompassing a wide spectrum of subject matter or intensive training in a specialized area. 

Last Updated: 12/13/2004