Division of Agribusiness and Agricultural Economics
Gain a deeper knowledge of your chosen career field and further develop analytical skills in agricultural economics, business planning, credit and finance, and resource allocation in production and marketing in production agriculture and agribusiness.
Choose from the following program options:
- Agricultural Economics -Thesis Track
- Agribusiness Non-Thesis Track
A non-thesis student can complete the program as quickly as a year, minimizing the time away from work and maximizing the long-term return on investment.
Program faculty are dedicated to our graduate students and will work closely with you to develop a master’s degree plan tailored to your career goals and personal needs. You can attend classes 100% online, or a hybrid of face-to-face and online, which allows you to continue to work while completing degree program requirements at a distance.
Agricultural Economics is an applied field of economics concerned with the application of economic theory in optimizing the production and distribution of food and fiber products. Agricultural economics includes a variety of applied areas, having considerable overlap with conventional economics. Agricultural economists’ contributions to research include econometrics, development economics, production economics, marketing, agricultural policy, and environmental economics. Thus, agricultural economics influences food policy, agricultural policy, and environmental policy.
Master of Science in Agricultural Economics
| AGEC 5301 | Environmental Issues and Agricultural Policy | 3 |
| AGEC 5310 | Advanced Farm and Ranch Management | 3 |
| AGEC 5312 | Advanced Production Economics | 3 |
| AGEC 5314 | Advanced Agricultural Marketing | 3 |
| AGEC 5333 | Management Practices of Agribusiness | 3 |
| AGEC 5399 | Agricultural Economics Capstone | 3 |
| FINC 5307 | Financial Management | 3 |
| or FINC 5306 | Financial Markets and Institutions | |
| Total Hours | 21 | |
Non-thesis Agribusiness Track (30 hours)
| AGEC 5086 | Agricultural Economics Problems | 3 |
| AGEC 5317 | Adv. Applied Quantitative Methods | 3 |
| or ECON 5311 | Econometrics and Forecasting | |
| Electives - 5000 level from COAE, COB, or must be approved by committee | 3 | |
| Total Hours | 9 | |
Thesis Track (36 hours)
| AGEC 5088 | Thesis | 6 |
| ECON 5311 | Econometrics and Forecasting | 3 |
| Choose 6 hours from the following options: | 6 | |
| Electives - 5000 level from COAE, COB, or must be approved by committee | ||
| Total Hours | 15 | |
Courses
AGEC 5086. Agricultural Economics Problems. 1-6 Credit Hours (Lecture: 0 Hours, Lab: 1-6 Hours).
Advanced independent study and research in agricultural economics topics. A written report will be submitted to the supervising professor. Prerequisite: Approval of instructor of record.
AGEC 5088. Thesis. 1-6 Credit Hours (Lecture: 1-6 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).
Scheduled when student is ready to begin the thesis. No credit until thesis is accepted. Prerequisites: Approved research methodology course and consent of major professor.
AGEC 5301. Environmental Issues and Agricultural Policy. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).
Current and emerging problems in economics of environmental issues relating to agriculture and agribusiness firms. Examination of policy issues, institutions, and legal and political constraints in relation to environmental quality and agricultural resources. Prerequisites: Principles of Macroeconomics and Intermediate Microeconomics, or approval of instructor of record.
AGEC 5310. Advanced Farm and Ranch Management. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 2 Hours, Lab: 2 Hours).
Economic theory and business principles applied to the organization and operation of farm and ranch businesses. Emphasis will be on farm budgeting and decision making, selecting and combining enterprises, analyzing farm investment alternatives, farm growth strategies, risk, and uncertainty. Prerequisite: Introductory course on Agricultural Marketing. Lab fee: $2.
AGEC 5312. Production & Operations Analysis. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).
Analysis of the production and operations function from a problem-solving and quantitative models approach. Prerequisite: Approval of instructor of record.
AGEC 5314. Advanced Agricultural Marketing. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).
Market development concepts, practices, and strategies for food and fiber products. Causes, effects, and relationships to business and consumer economics. Strategies for price risk management in buying and selling agricultural products. Prerequisites: Intermediate Microeconomics and an introductory course on Agricultural Marketing, or approval of instructor of record.
AGEC 5317. Adv. Applied Quantitative Methods. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 2 Hours, Lab: 2 Hours).
Advanced application of quantitative techniques used to support managerial decision-making and resource allocation. Exposure to mathematical and statistical tools (regression analysis, mathematical programming, simulation) used in economic analysis in Agribusiness. Credit for AGEC 4317 or AGEC 5317 not both.
AGEC 5333. Management Practices of Agribusiness. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).
An examination of the choices, decisions, strategies and organizational behavior of agribusiness firms and their management. Primary emphasis will be given to the managerial practices of food and agricultural supply firms in the agri-food industry. Prerequisites: Agricultural Finance or equivalent finance course, an introductory course in Agricultural Marketing or equivalent marketing course, and Principles of Management; or approval of instructor of record.
AGEC 5390. Advanced Topics. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).
Studies in mathematical economics, input-output analysis, linear programming, social benefit-cost analysis, risk management, or other advanced topics as offered. Prior academic training requirements vary with topic. May be repeated once as topic varies. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
AGEC 5396. Analysis of Social Research Data. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).
Application of contingency tables, and descriptive, differential, and correlational statistics to social research data. Data formatting, syntax operations, procedure options, and interpretation of statistical program output.
AGEC 5399. Agricultural and Consumer Resources Capstone. 3 Credit Hours (Lecture: 3 Hours, Lab: 0 Hours).
Supervised professional activities in agricultural and consumer resources education/clinical teaching/AgriLife extension/industry/business settings. Emphasis is placed on the student's involvement in successful practices in the area of professional interest. Experience may be on the local, state, national, or international level. May be repeated once for credit. Prerequisites: Graduate standing.
Dr. J. Chris Haynes, Department
Department of Agricultural Education and Communication
Joe W. Autry Agriculture Building, Room 105
Box T-0040
Stephenville, Texas 76402
(254) 968-9200
chaynes@tarleton.edu
www.tarleton.edu/agservices