The Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics offers Master of Science (M.S.) in Applied and Resource Economics, which may be awarded along the way to a Ph.D. or as a terminal degree. In addition, UConn undergraduates who receive a B.S. degree from the Department can earn the M.S. degree through an Accelerated Master's Degree program. The terminal M.S. provides rigorous training in microeconomics and quantitative methods, and their applications to economic and policy issues involving food, health, natural resources, and the environment. Students completing this degree go on to work in the private sector, government agencies, international organizations, or continue on for a Ph.D.

Location

• Storrs Campus

Modality

• In Person

Requirements

Course List

Course	Title	Credits
Required Core Courses
ARE 5201	Microeconomics	3
ARE 5311	Applied Econometrics I: Regression Analysis for Causal Inference	3
or ARE 6311	Applied Econometrics I: Regression Analysis for Causal Inference
ARE 5313	Applied Econometrics II: Advanced Causal Inference	3
or ARE 6313	Applied Econometrics II: Advanced Causal Inference
Plan A Thesis, Additional Requirements
5000-level or higher ARE courses 1		3
Graduate electives, including non-ARE courses		9
GRAD 5950	Master's Thesis Research	9
Students must write and successfully defend a thesis.
Plan B Non-thesis, Additional Requirements
5000-level or higher ARE courses 1,2		12
Graduate electives, including non-ARE courses		9

¹

May include up to three credits of ARE 5991 Professional Internship. 

²

May include up to three credits of ARE 5499 Independent Study in Agricultural and Resource Economics resulting in a paper or comparable research output.

Learning Objectives

1. Demonstrate proficiency over the subject matter in core areas and selected electives.
2. Demonstrate effective written communication skills.
3. (Plan A only) Demonstrate proficiency in research skills: (a) Apply existing research methodologies and techniques; (b) Critically analyze and evaluate one’s own findings and the findings of others; (c) Design and execute research project.

Accelerated Applied and Resource Economics MS

The Accelerated MS Program prepares students for advanced professional roles by enabling high-achieving undergraduates in the ARE Department to complete the MS in Applied and Resource Economics in just one additional year beyond the BS. 

Students must complete calculus (MATH 1071Q Calculus for Business and Economics or MATH 1131Q Calculus I) and statistics (STAT 1000Q Introduction to Statistics I or STAT 1100Q Elementary Concepts of Statistics), typically during their freshman or sophomore year; ARE 3333 Computational Analysis in Applied Economics in the fall of junior year; and ARE 5201 Microeconomics during senior year.

After completing 54 undergraduate credits, UConn undergraduate students in the ARE Department can apply to express their interest in the Accelerated MS in Applied and Resource Economics and, upon approval, will receive guidance from an Accelerated Program advisor. Students must then apply for admission to the M.S. for their +1 year.

Since this MS is a non-thesis degree, students must follow the MS Plan B requirements.

The MS program requires 30 graduate credits. Up to 12 credits of graduate coursework, taken as part of the 120-credit BS program, may be applied toward the MS 30-credit requirement. This includes three credits from ARE 5201 Microeconomics, which must be completed during the senior year.