Graduate Program
The Department of Agricultural Economics and Agricultural Business (AEAB) offers three different graduate degree program alternatives: A Master of Science in Agricultural Economics in cooperation with the graduate faculty of the Department of Economics; a Master of Agriculture with specialization in Agribusiness, which draws from classes offered by the College of Business; and a Master of Business Administration with specialization in Agribusiness administered through the College of Business. Students interested in pursuing any of these programs should contact Allen Torell (AEAB Graduate Coordinator) or Terry Crawford (AEAB Interim Department Head).
Assistantships
Graduate teaching and research assistantships are usually available and awarded on a competitive basis. Graduate assistants work for 10 or 20 hours per week, must be enrolled in and complete nine hours of graded graduate coursework per semester. A 3.00 GPA or higher must be maintained to remain on assistantship.
Agricultural Economics Advising Center
Located in Gerald Thomas Room 379, the Agricultural Economics Advising Center maintains copies of all graduate student records. Irma Marshall, the records technician in the departmental student services center, is familiar with the graduate school rules and regulations and provides additional support for the graduate students including applications for graduate assistantships.
NMSU Graduate Catalog links
Chair of the Departmental Graduate Committee
Dr. Allen Torell, the departmental graduate program coordinator, is responsible for responding to inquires for graduate study in agricultural economics and/or agribusiness. The graduate program also sends lists of NMSU graduating seniors to other universities and recruits from student lists supplied from other universities.
Office: GT 379C
Phone: (575) 646-4732
E-mail:atorell@nmsu.edu
Doctor of Economic Development
The Doctor of Economic Development is a professional degree primarily intended to provide advanced training for economic development professionals rather than academic economists. In a sense, the Doctor of Economic Development can be seen as the link between academic research in economic development and "real world" economic development problems. Please use the link provided below for more information about this new degree.
MBA with Specialization in Agribusiness
New Mexico State University Master of Business Administration program specializing in Agribusiness (MBA-AB) is a very attractive graduate education alternative for individuals completing or holding undergraduate degrees in agricultural economics, agricultural business and agricultural and food sciences in general. The program, jointly offered by the College of Business (CB) and the College of Agriculture and Home Economics (CAHE), is designed to train future mid and upper-level executives for the food and fiber industry, as well as for the public sector.
This industry comprises food and fiber producers, processors and manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers; and allied and support businesses such as agricultural input producers and suppliers, lenders, and commodity brokers and traders, among others.
The graduates from NMSU's MBA-AB program will have the distinctive quality of being knowledgeable of the U.S. and the international food and fiber sectors while holding a fully (AACSB International) accredited MBA degree. The program provides students with opportunities to be involved in a variety of research projects addressing current agribusiness issues under the direction of expert professors in this field. Through courses taught by professors specializing in both general business administration and agribusiness administration - such as advanced agribusiness management and marketing, production economics, agricultural commodity futures markets and trading, international agricultural trade and policy, strategic management, organizational behavior and management processes, financial management, business information systems, and the legal environment of business - they will be specially trained for administrative careers in the U.S. and international food and fiber industry and in related public sector support and development agencies.
The food and fiber industry employs about 17% of the labor force in the U.S. and other industrialized countries, and over 25% worldwide. This suggests a high demand for individuals with specialized agribusiness administration skills and training. In fact, major agribusiness corporations like Archer Daniels Midland (ADM), Cargill, ConAgra Foods, Pioneer-Dupont, Dow Agricultural Sciences, Nestle, Kraft Foods, and many others provide exciting career opportunities in marketing, management and administration. Graduates can also seek careers in the public sector with agencies such as the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), and various non-governmental organizations (NGO's) and private foundations.
Master of Science in Agricultural Economics
The New Mexico State University Master of Science Program in Agricultural Economics (MS-AE) is an excellent graduate education alternative for individuals completing or holding undergraduate degrees in agricultural, resource, environmental or general economics, agricultural business, and agricultural and food sciences in general. The program, jointly offered by the Department of Agricultural Economics and Agricultural Business (AEAB) and the Department of Economics and International Business (EIB), is designed to train future intellectual leaders for the food and fiber industry, which employs about 17% of the labor force in the U.S. and other industrialized countries, and over 25% worldwide.
The graduates from NMSU's MS-AE program have the distinctive quality of being trained in economic theory and analytical tools, and of being capable of applying these theories, concepts and tools to evaluate economic and business issues and address problems affecting agricultural production, natural resource management, the environment, and the food and fiber industry in general. The program of studies includes a required core of four courses: micro and macroeconomic theory, production economics, and econometrics; and elective classes in international agricultural trade theory and policy, advanced agricultural policy, natural resources management and policy, advanced computer applications, the management of agribusiness firms, advanced agribusiness marketing, and agricultural commodity futures markets and trading. The students gain additional expertise in a particular field of agricultural economics or agricultural business through a thesis research project under the direction of an expert professor in that area.
Although the academically rigorous orientation of this program makes it ideal for individuals planning to pursue research-related careers or to continue their education at the PhD level, the conceptual and analytical skills of the graduates gives them an edge in problem-solving, economically rational thinking, which are valuable talents in many careers. As a result, past graduates have been successful in a variety of non-research careers within and outside the food and fiber industry. MS-AE graduates have also found excellent career opportunities in the public sector with agencies such as the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), and various non-governmental organizations (NGO's) and private foundations.
Master of Agriculture with Specialization in Agribusiness
New Mexico State University Master of Agriculture program specializing in Agribusiness (MAG-AB) is an attractive graduate education alternative for individuals completing or holding undergraduate degrees in the various fields of agricultural and food sciences such as agronomy, horticulture, pest management, animal and/or range science, food processing/technology, agricultural education and/or communication, as well as degrees in agricultural economics and/or agricultural business and related fields. The program is offered by the College of Agriculture and Home Economics (CAHE) through the Department of Agricultural Economics and Agricultural Business (AEAB), and also draws from classes offered by the College of Business (CB).
AEEC Graduate Student Information
PRO AG - Grad Student Organization
PRofessional Organization of Agricultural Business and Agricultural Economics Graduate Students (PRO AG) is open to all registered graduate students in good standing in the AEAB department and affiliate departments.
The purpose of this organization is to provide a supportive professional and personal professional envirnoment for all students enrolled in the graduate program by:
- Functioning as a vehicle for professional development with a focus on (1) preparation for the immediate post graduate career time frame, and, (2) the whole of the graduate student experience while at New Mexico State University.
- Promoting interaction between graduate students and the AEEC faculty.
- Providing a forum for discussing departmental issues.
Core Classes and Electives for MS in Agricultural Economics
The Master of Science in Agricultural Economics consists of a minimum of 33 credit hours. The Core Requirements of this program are:
18 hours total (with 6 Thesis hours)
In addition to the above choose 3 courses (9 hrs) from the list below
9 hours total
PLUS: 2 graduate level courses (6 hrs) of student's choosing (may include 3 hrs of Individual Study)
6 hrs total
18 + 9 + 6 = 33 hours
OR:
Select a justifiable minor (per Graduate School policy) AND two courses from the list of 8 above.
Total Hours from the Minor (9+ hours) plus 6 hours from the list of 8 above = ~15 hours.
Note: The MS degree requires a B or better in micro & macro economics.
Core Classes and Electives for MAg (Agribusiness)
The Master of Agriculture with Specialization in Agribusiness consists of a minimum of 33 credit hours. The Core Requirements of this program are:
12 hours total
In addition to the above choose 2 courses (6 hrs) from the list below
6 hours total
Some of the courses required for the MAG-AB degree are core requirements for the MBA program and have limitations for participation by non-MBA students. MAG-AB students (Non-MBA) cannot take BA590 and MGT590. Further, MAG-AB students can only take 9 credits from the list of ACCT503, BCS502, BLAW502, ECON503, FIN502, FIN503, MGT502, MGT503, MGT512, and MKTG503. MAG students are required to take FIN503 and ACCT503. Thus, only one additional "MBA" course can be taken by MAG-AB students.
Internship/Creative Component (3-6 hours) OR Thesis (4-6 hours)
(Note: Student can take 2 additional courses with approval from advisor and graduate chairman in lieu of AEEC 595, 598, or 599)
Total Hours Depends on Class Chosen
12 + 6 + (3 of 595 or 598)+ 12 elective hours = 33 hours
OR:
12 + 6 + (4 - if thesis)+ 12 = 34 hours
Required Classes for MBA with Specialization in Agribusiness
The Master of Business Administration with Specialization in Agribusiness consists of a minimum of 36 credit hours. The Core Requirements of this program are:
21 hours total
In addition to the above, 5 courses (15 hrs) from listed below
ALSO:
AEEC 545 (3) (must be added as a 6th course if not taken as AGE445G)
15 hours total
Therefore:
21 + 15 (+ 3) = 39 hours
NOTE: MBA Students can take the required minimum of 4 thesis hours (up to maximum of 6 count toward graduation) to substitute for BA 590. (BA590 used to be BA502)