This degree is only offered as a traditional PhD and it is recommended that students obtain a Master of Agribusiness, an MS in Agricultural Economics or Economics, an MS degree in a business field such as Finance, Accounting, Management, Marketing or Information Systems, an MBA, or equivalent degree before starting the program. The curriculum is composed of three fundamental components:
1. Economic Theory and Applications
A theoretical component, taught by the highly ranked TAMU Department of Economics, consists of classes in macroeconomics, microeconomics, and econometric theory. The microeconomic component covers neoclassical theory, game theory, and risk analysis. This component may be complemented by additional economics courses depending on the student’s interests.
The agricultural economics core component brings together theory and quantitative methods in the context of applied research and managerial and policy analysis. Classes in this area cover analysis of economic problems concerning firm production, household consumption, markets, industrial organization, and distribution of welfare.
2. Quantitative Methods
An applied quantitative methods component, taught within the Department of Agricultural Economics, covers research applications supported by tools from econometrics, mathematical programming, dynamic and stochastic programming, optimal control, and simulation.
3. Primary Field Areas
The primary field area requires 15-18 credit hours. Four departmentally-defined field areas are available to choose from:
- Finance
- Management
- Marketing
- Supply Chain Management