The NDSU Department of Agribusiness and Applied Economics offers an Applied Economics Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree program that is outcomes-based. 

The program leverages NDSU's strength areas in applied risk analysis and institutions while maintaining flexibility for a variety of student specializations. Students work with a committee to create a plan of study that will have specific field specializations. 

To Apply

Students apply for the program through the Graduate School.

To be considered for admission, applicants must:

• have earned a 150 score or above on the quantitative portion of the GRE 
• have demonstrated mathematical competency in multivariate calculus, linear (matrix) algebra, and calculus based probability theory 
• have completed a Bachelor of Science or Master of Science degree in Economics, Agricultural Economics, or a related discipline and have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above 

Financial Assistance

Graduate assistantships and stipends are awarded on a competitive basis. 

To be considered for a Graduate Research Assistantship (GRA) or Graduate Teaching Assistantship (GTA), applicants must obtain a 155 or above on the quantitative portion of the GRE. Assistantships do not begin until the first semester of full graduate standing when courses that apply for the Ph.D. degree are taken.

Students with an assistantship perform research or teaching duties in the department and are paid a monthly stipend of up to $1,600. Most assistantships are full-time (20 hours per week) or half-time (10 hours per week). In addition to the stipend, students may receive a graduate tuition waiver. 

Degree Requirements

The program requires 15 credits of core classes, with the remaining 75 credits earned throgh other credit-based academic activity selected by the student and field committee. Students with a Masters degree can transfer up to 30 credits. Core courses include:

• ECON 841 | Microeconomic Theory I (3 credits)
• ECON 842 | Microeconomic Theory II (3 credits)
• AGEC 743 | Advanced Macroeconomics (3 credits)
• ECON 810 | Econometrics I (3 credits)
• ECON 811 | Econometrics II (3 credits)

The remaining credits are tailored to the student and can be earned through any credit-based academic activity.

Before advancement to candidacy, a student must complete preliminary exams in economic theory and methods following the first year in residence. Mastery of at least one pre-approved field of applied economics will be demonstrated by:

• capacity to synthesize important economic literature in the field;
• demonstrated capacity to master key methods in the field; and
• capacity to produce original research in the field.

Specific field-level learning objectives and methods will be approved prior to a student’s first semester in the program.

Other

See the graduate certificate in New Institutional Social Science.