In the agribusiness economics concentration, students may specialize in resource and environmental economics, economic and rural development, agribusiness management and finance, agricultural marketing and prices, farm production management, and international trade and agricultural policy.

This degree is awarded upon completion of required coursework with a minimum graduate point average of 3.0 (4.0 scale) in either of two options: a thesis or a non-thesis (research paper) option. For both options at least 15 hours must be at the 500 level.  

The thesis option requires satisfactory completion of 30 hours of graduate credit. This includes 13 hours in structured agribusiness economics courses--ABE 500A, 500B, 551, 552, and 581. Eleven hours of elective graduate credit are selected based upon recommendation from the agribusiness faculty member directing the student's thesis work. A research component including six hours of ABE 599 and an oral examination is required.

The non-thesis option requires satisfactory completion of 36 hours of graduate credit. This includes 13 hours in structured agribusiness economics courses: ABE 500A, 500B, 551, 552, and 581. Twenty-one hours of elective graduate credit are selected based upon recommendation from the agribusiness faculty member acting as the student's research paper advisor. Six of these elective hours are selected from structured agribusiness economics courses offered at the 400 level. A research component including two hours of ABE 593 and an oral presentation of the student's research paper is required.