Agricultural, Food and Resource Economics (Master's) at Michigan State University

Programme overview

The MS in Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics at MSU gives students a strong base in applied microeconomics, serving as preparation for careers in business, government or the non-profit sector or as a foundation for PhD study.

Faculty: College of Agriculture and Natural Resources | Department: Department of Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics | Duration: 30 credits (Plan A) or 33 credits (Plan B); typically two calendar years | Study mode: full-time | Location: East Lansing, MI, United States

What you will study

Students take microeconomic theory (AFRE 805), quantitative methods (AFRE 801, AFRE 802 and usually AFRE 835) and 12 further credits of advanced coursework, at least 9 in AFRE. Plan A culminates in a thesis (6 credits of AFRE 899); Plan B features a research paper (3 credits of AFRE 898) plus 6 additional credits; both end with a final oral examination.

Career pathways

Business, government and the non-profit sector; preparation for PhD study.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

AFRE graduate programmes (MS and PhD): GRE required for all applicants (GMAT not accepted; no minimum score); transcripts and diplomas; personal and academic statements; a table of math, microeconomics, statistics and econometrics courses; CV; three letters of recommendation; TOEFL iBT (IELTS Indicator and Duolingo also accepted) for non-exempt international applicants. Successful MS applicants generally have an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 and have taken Calculus I and II, introductory and intermediate microeconomics, and at least one semester of probability/statistics. Fall 2027 cohort: apply by December 15, 2026 for full funding consideration; final deadline February 1, 2027. An application fee applies, with no waivers.

Requirements published at program group level.

Tuition is charged per credit, so the total depends on the modules you register for each year. Current fees are listed in the official fee schedule.

Graduate applicants can start in fall (late August), spring (January) or summer (May) in the MPH programme; intake terms for other graduate programmes are set by each department or program.

The graduate application fee is $75 for domestic and international applicants, with one fee per application; applicants may submit up to two applications to different graduate majors per semester. Applications are reviewed by the department or program, which sets its own deadlines.

MPH application deadlines (SOPHAS completion): fall May 18, spring October 18, summer February 15; MSU supplemental application: fall June 1, spring November 1, summer March 1.

Apply through the official page: https://admissions.msu.edu/apply/graduate-students

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