Academic Programs Catalog

College of Agriculture and Natural Resources

Graduate Study

Interdepartmental Graduate Specializations in Environmental and Resource Economics

The interdepartmental graduate specialization in environmental and resource economics is an elective for students in all graduate majors. The specialization is designed to:

  1. provide an opportunity for graduate students to obtain advanced training in the field of environmental and natural resource economics.
  2. develop an intellectual environment, which will foster the growth of research and public service in the area of environmental and natural resource economics.
  3. foster an understanding among graduate students of the career opportunities and professional responsibilities in the fields of environmental and natural resource economics.
  4. increase public awareness of environmental and natural resource problems and alternative solutions.

Students who elect this graduate specialization seek a high degree of proficiency in the economic analysis of environmental and natural resource problems. The specialization is suitable for graduate students who intend to specialize in this area of economic analysis, as well as for those who may have a departmental major in a non-economic aspect of the environment and natural resources, but who want to deepen their understanding of how economics influences their major area of study.

The College of Agriculture and Natural Resources and the College of Social Science jointly administer the specialization. The College of Agriculture and Natural Resources is the primary administrative unit. The faculty who participate in this specialization are drawn from the departments of Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics; Community, Agriculture, Recreation and Resource Studies, Economics; Fisheries and Wildlife; and Forestry.

Core faculty are selected by the chairpersons of the six participating departments. Each department designates one core faculty member to serve on a Coordinating Committee for the Specialization in Environmental and Resource Economics. The Coordinating Committee oversees the policies and program requirements adopted by the core faculty. Faculty members who comprise the core faculty may change with the mutual consent of the chairpersons of the departments, upon recommendation of the Coordinating Committee.

Requirements for the Specializations in Environmental and Resource Economics

Master's Students: The specialization consists of the completion of approximately 18 credits of resource economics and methods courses specified by the coordinating committee and approved by the core faculty. Credits in courses taken for the specialization may be counted toward the requirements for the student’s major at the discretion of the major department. At least one core faculty member serves on the student’s guidance committee.

Doctoral Students: The specialization consists of the completion of  approximately 24 credits of resource economics and methods courses, and passing a written examination. Course work is specified by the coordinating committee and approved by the core faculty. The examination committee consists of three core faculty members selected by the Coordinating Committee. Credits in courses taken to meet the requirements of the specialization may be used for a student’s major at the discretion of the student’s major department. At least one core faculty member serves on the student’s guidance committee.