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Department of Agricultural and
Applied Economics

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Undergraduate ProgramGraduate ProgramCourse DescriptionsFaculty

 

About the Program

This department administers the following degree programs:

        • Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness
        • Bachelor of Science in Agricultural and Applied Economics
        • Master of Agribusiness
        • Master of Science in Agricultural and Applied Economics
        • Doctor of Philosophy in Agricultural and Applied Economics

Dual-Degree/Joint Programs

  • Bachelor of Science in Agricultural and Applied Economics / Bachelor of Business Administration (General Business)
  • Master of Science in Agricultural and Applied Economics / Doctor of Jurisprudence

The department also participates in the interdepartmental program leading to the Master of Agriculture degree and cooperates with the College of Business Administration in a Master of Business Administration degree with a concentration in agricultural business management. This M.B.A. program is administered by the College of Business Administration.

Agricultural and applied economics applies economic methods to contemporary problems in production, distribution, and consumption of commodities and resources. This field is concerned with decision making in the public sector and in firms that provide materials and services, credit, processing, marketing and distribution of products, as well as analysis of economic behavior in the food and fiber industries, including the effects of government policies.

The major objective of the department is to teach students to think analytically and base decisions on economic principles. Students develop skills in economics, mathematics, statistics, and communication. Training in policy, price analysis, and marketing is also provided. The department prepares graduates to manage business and financial firms, farms, ranches, and related organizations and direct land and property development and real estate activities.
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Undergraduate Program

The B.S. degree in agricultural and applied economics provides a strong foundation in economics and mathematics and emphasizes writing and communication skills. There is enough flexibility in the program to allow students to earn a minor in areas such as general business and personal financial planning. Minors are also available in other departments in the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources as well as in economics and other fields. The department offers a B.S. in agribusiness in conjunction with the College of Business Administration. This degree program combines the core courses in agricultural and applied economics with those in business administration to provide a strong foundation for careers in businesses related to agriculture. In addition, a dual degree is offered in combination with the College of Business Administration. This program leads to a B.S. in agricultural and applied economics and a B.B.A. in general business. Students may also prepare to study toward advanced degrees in economics, law, business administration, and other related areas.

The department’s programs also emphasize international economics, particularly with respect to trade in commodities. Students completing these plans of study will be better educated for the world economy of the future and will have opportunities for a wide range of careers. Local, regional, and national processing and marketing firms offer many applied economists their first positions. Others become self-employed business operators or managers. State Cooperative Extension Services, financial institutions, the United States Department of Agriculture, utility companies, and many state and government agencies also hire graduates.

The opportunity to participate in the Honors College is available to agricultural and applied economics students who demonstrate high academic achievement and are accepted into the Honors College. AAEC students wishing to earn an Honors College designation may take AGSC 4300 for honors credit. In addition, honors students may contract for honors credit with AAEC 4301. Admission criteria and other information about the Honors College can be found in the “Honors College” section of this catalog.

The department offers a minor in agribusiness management for nondepartmental majors. The agribusiness minor consists of 18 hours of coursework, including AAEC 2305, 9 hours from 3000-level AAEC courses, and 6 hours from 4000-level AAEC courses. Students must satisfy course prerequisites before registering for courses.

Accelerated Bachelor's‑to‑Master's (ABM) Degrees. Exceptional undergraduate agricultural and applied economics majors who wish to complete an ABM degree in a timely manner may apply for admission into one of three accelerated degree programs:

  • Bachelor of Science in Agricultural and Applied Economics and Master of Agribusiness
  • Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Agricultural and Applied Economics, thesis option
  • Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Agricultural and Applied Economics, nonthesis option

Admission to these programs allows students to count 9 dual hours of undergraduate coursework toward these degrees. Application should be made during the first semester of the junior year following procedures available from graduate program coordinators in the department.

Curriculum Tables

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Graduate Program

Master’s Programs

Master’s programs in agricultural and applied economics require a minimum of 30 hours of graduate credit for the M.S. thesis option or 36 hours for the M.S. nonthesis option, the Master of Agribusiness degree, and the Master of Agriculture degree. A student seeking a M.S. degree in agricultural and applied economics may choose courses to emphasize agribusiness and trade or resource policy and development.

 

Doctoral Programs

The doctoral program in agricultural and applied economics is designed to develop a broad-based competence in advanced economic theory, techniques of quantitative analysis, and public administration of agricultural and economic issues. Two options are offered for the Doctor of Philosophy degree in the agricultural and applied economics program. The first option allows graduate students to select a minor of their choice in business administration, finance, mathematics, public administration, statistics, sociology, or other possible areas of study. The program has been designed to take advantage of the strengths of the department and areas of interest to students. The second option allows graduate students to select a minor in personal financial planning, a joint Ph.D. program between the department and the College of Human Sciences. Completion of the doctoral program in agricultural and applied economics with a minor in personal financial planning qualifies graduates to take a test administered by the Certified Financial Planning Board of Standards to become Certified Financial Planners.

Each Ph.D. candidate is expected to demonstrate competency by satisfactorily completing (1) a comprehensive written examination in each specialty field chosen, (2) a dissertation research project that demonstrates original independent scholarly research, and (3) a final oral exam.

Before being recommended for admission to a degree program with a major in agricultural and applied economics, the student may be required to take (without graduate credit) undergraduate leveling courses as specified by the department.

 

Joint M.S.–J.D. Degree Program

The School of Law and the Graduate School of Texas Tech University offer a joint degree program that allows students to complete the requirements for the Master of Science degree in Agricultural and Applied Economics and the Doctor of Jurisprudence degree. This joint program can be completed one year sooner than when each is pursued separately. The M.S. component is administered by the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics on behalf of the Graduate School, while the J.D. component is administered by the School of Law.

The joint degree program is of particular benefit to students who are interested in practicing law in a rural setting or who want to pursue certain types of careers in agribusiness finance or natural resource law. Students must be admitted to both programs separately but the LSAT test will suffice for both applications. Back to Top

 

Course Descriptions

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Faculty

Click here to view alphabetical listing of all TTU faculty and their academic credentials.

Eduardo Segarra, Ph.D., Chairperson

Professors: Hudson, P. Johnson, Knight, Misra, Segarra
Associate Professors: Elam, Farmer, Lyford, Malaga
Assistant Professors: Belasco, Benson, Chidmi, J. Johnson, Murova, Rahman, Wang
Instructors: Middleton
Adjunct Faculty: Ethridge, Phillips, Smith
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