Agricultural & Applied Economics: Academic Programs
Graduate Coordinator
James E. Epperson
Graduate Programs
Overview
Our graduate degree programs in Agricultural and Applied Economics offer considerable flexibility in meeting your interests and background, so you can prepare for a career in industry, government, or academia. We offer a full range of graduate study opportunities leading to either an M. S. or Ph.D. Our two degrees in M.S., Agricultural and Applied Economics and Environmental Economics, offered the flexibility to match a graduate program with your interests and goals.
Enrolling in one of our programs will prepare you for a career in leadership through the development
of a high degree of economic comprehension and decision making. Applications
of economic theory and econometrics to resolve economic problems are our major
focus.
We have offered graduate degree programs for over 55 years. Our
graduates are employed worldwide in a wide range of positions in both the private
and public sectors. There is robust demand in private industry from
health care to food and fiber wholesale firms. Many of our graduates are employed
in domestic and international academic positions.
For more information about our Graduate Program, contact Octavio A. Ramirez
See Also:
Faculty Areas of Specialization
AgEcon Graduate Student Association
Admission
See Also: UGA Graduate School
Admission status, credit requirements, transfer credits accepted, academic standards, residence requirements, and time limits conform to regulations as given by the Graduate School.
Applicants to our graduate programs are welcomed from all undergraduate majors. An undergraduate degree in economics is not required. Incoming Ph.D. students are expected to have solid preparation in economic theory, mathematics, and quantitative methods.
Admission Requirements
All admissions are based on an evaluation by the departmental Graduate Committee and acceptance by the Graduate School. Transcripts, GRE scores, and three letters of recommendation are required. Minimum requirements for GPA and GRE scores are:
| M.S. Applicants | Ph.D. Applicants | |
| GRE | 800 (verbal & quantitative) | 1000 (verbal & quantitative) |
| GPA | 2.6 | 3.0 undergraduate, 3.5 graduate |
| TOEFL | 213 computer based, 550 paper-based | 213 computer-based, 550 paper-based |
However, the merits of each applicant are considered individually.
Application Materials
When applying to our graduate programs, the application packet can be obtained from the University of Georgia Graduate School's web site. Applicants are responsible for the submission of all materials required for admission.
The following information must be submitted to the Graduate School:
- Graduate School application form
- $50 application processing fee, non-refundable
- An official transcript/s from each institution where you earned a degree (International applicants: two sets of official academic records and proof of degrees)
- Official GRE entrance test scores
- Application for Georgia residence status (if claiming legal residence in Georgia).
International applicants must also submit the following additional materials:
- Official TOEFL or IELTS scores sent by testing agency
- Certificate of Financial Support form
- Statement of financial and visa information form
In addition to the Graduate School requirements, all students applying to the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics must submit the following directly to the department:
- Statement of Purpose which outlines the reasons for wishing to pursue an advanced degree as well as interests and long-term goals
- Three letters of recommendation
Financial Aid
Departmental assistantships are awarded on a competitive basis. Your application for an assistantship will be evaluated by our department Graduate Committee. Selections are based on your academic record, test scores, recommendations, and other pertinent information. Recipients of these assistantships must be fully admitted to the Graduate School in a degree seeking status, and must continue to be full-time students taking at least nine hours of credit per semester.
Students on a 35% time assistantship are required to provide a total of 14 hours per week of assistance to the department's research-instruction programs. Academic and work performance will be evaluated each semester and stipends for subsequent semesters will be based on satisfactory performance. Graduate assistantships offer a professional, productive, and rewarding component of the total academic program and experience of a graduate student. They contribute both to the educational goals of a graduate student and the research, teaching, and extension programs of the department.
To apply for an assistantship, fill out the application form and send to Graduate Coordinator.
Aside from departmental assistantships, the UGA Graduate School has provided general information on alternative funding sources and web search engines to help identify possible financing sources for graduate study.