Graduate Program
Majors and Options Available
The Department of Agricultural Economics and Agricultural Business (AEAB) offers:
four different Master's Degree programs and two Doctoral Degree programs :
A Master of Science in Agricultural Economics in cooperation with the graduate faculty of the Department of Economics;
a Master of Agriculture with specialization in Agribusiness, which draws from classes offered by the College of Business; a Master of Business Administration with specialization in Agribusiness administered through the College of Business; a Master of Science in Water Science & Management - an interdisciplinary program designed for students who want to study beyond just one discipline and offered by the Agricultural Economics and Agricultural Business Department, the Department of Animal and Range Sciences, the Department of Geography, the Department of Civil Engineering, and the Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences.
In addition, our Department offers two doctoral degree programs: a Doctor of Economic Development and Doctor of Philosophy in Water Science & Management.
A candidate for a master's degree may select a minor in Agricultural Economics in addition to the major. Completion of nine credits of graduate work ( 3 AEEC courses) is necessary for this minor at the master's level. The selected courses should be approved by Dr. Allen Torell, the Chair of the Departmental Graduate Committee and AEAB Graduate Programs Coordinator. To record a minor on a student's permanent record, the minor must be listed on the "Application for Admission to Candidacy" and this form must be signed by the head of the department.
Students interested in pursuing any of these programs should contact the Graduate Program Coordinators (see Section "Advising" below) or Dr. Terry Crawford (AEAB Interim Department Head).
Assistantships
Graduate assistantships in teaching and research are available through the department and awarded on a competitive basis.
Teaching assistantships (TA) are awarded for the academic year (9 months). Teaching assignments for Teaching Assistants (TAs) are changed each semester; Teaching Assistants will often have work assignments with professors other than their advisor.
Research assistantships (RA) are awarded for either 9 or 12 months. Research assignments for RAs are usually with the same faculty member for the duration of the student's program of study.
Assistantships (TA and RA) may be awarded for 10 hours (half-time) or 20 hours (full-time). Graduate students on assistantship are required to carry and complete at least nine graduate credit hours of graded graduate coursework per semester, which is considered to be a full course load. Students must also have a regular admission status to receive an assistantship and must maintain a graduate GPA of 3.0 to remain eligible for assistantship.
All students with at least 10 hours of assistantship receive a waiver of out-of-state tuition.
Advising
Graduate Programs Coordinators
The Graduate Program Coordinator advises graduate students about their program of study, verifies that students meet Graduate School and Departmental requirements, and administers departmental admissions, financial aid, and placement.
Dr. Allen Torell, the Chair of the Departmental Graduate Committee and AEAB Graduate Programs Coordinator, is responsible for responding to inquires regarding graduate study in Agricultural Economics and Agricultural Business (3 Master's degree programs including: Master of Science in Agricultural Economics; Master of Agriculture with specialization in Agribusiness; and Master of Business Administration with specialization in Agribusiness).
Dr. Torell's contact information is as follows:
Office: Gerald Thomas Hall, Room 379C
Phone: (575) 646-4732
Fax:(575)646-3808
E-mail:atorell@nmsu.edu
Students interested in pursuing or enrolled in a Master of Science in Water Science & Management and Doctor of Philosophy in Water Science & Management programs should contact Desa Daniel, the MS and PhD WSM Program Coordinator.
Desa Daniel's contact information is as follows:
Office: Stucky Hall, Room 114
Office phone: (575)646-4198
Fax: (575)646-6418
E-mail: wsm@nmsu.edu
Students interested in pursuing or enrolled in a Doctor of Economic Development program should contact Dr. J. Michael Patrick, the DED Program Director.
Dr. Patrick's contact information is as follows:
Office: Gerald Thomas Hall, Room 346
Office phone: (575)646-5682
Cell phone: (575)202-4253
Fax: (575)646-3808
E-mail: jmpat@nmsu.edu
Faculty Advising
Upon entering the program, each graduate student is temporarily assigned by Graduate Program Coordinator to a Faculty member for advising based on the student's areas of interest and career objectives. Eventually, students may choose a permanent Faculty Advisor that is usually in a student's principal field of interest. Faculty Advisors advise students about courses, research, and job placement in that field. Graduate students meet with their advisor on a regular basis.
Departmental Student Services Center
The Departmental Student Services Center maintains copies of all graduate student records and is located in Gerald Thomas Hall, Room 379. Irma Marshall, a full-time staff member, is the administrative assistant in the Departmental Student Services Center and familiar with the graduate school rules and regulations, and provides additional support for the graduate students including applications for graduate assistantship.
AEAB Department Graduate Student Information
- Doctor of Economic Development Program Graduate Student Handbook 2012-2013 (under development)