Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics

About the Department
Program Offerings & Course Descriptions

Phillip N. Johnson, Ph.D., Chairperson

Professors: Hudson, Johnson, Lyford, Malaga, Misra, Segarra
Associate Professors: Carpio, Chidmi, Elam, Farmer, Murova, Rahman, Wang
Assistant Professors: Lange, Martin, Williams, Zivkovic
Research Assistant Professor: Boonsaeng, Mitchell
Instructors: Middleton
Adjunct Faculty: Ethridge, Phillips, Smith

CONTACT INFORMATION: 317 Agricultural Science Building Box 42132, Lubbock, TX 79409-2132, T 806.742.2821 F 806.742.1099, www.aaec.ttu.edu

About the Department

This department administers the following degree programs:

Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness
Bachelor of Science in Agricultural and Applied Economics
Master of Agribusiness
Master of Science in Agricultural and Applied Economics
Doctor of Philosophy in Agricultural and Applied Economics

Dual Degree Programs

Bachelor of Science in Agricultural and Applied Economics/Bachelor of Business Administration (General Business)
Master of Science in Agricultural and Applied Economics/Doctor of Jurisprudence

The department cooperates with the Rawls College of Business in a Master of Business Administration degree with a concentration in agricultural business management. This M.B.A. program is administered by the Rawls College of Business.

Agricultural and applied economics applies economic methods to contemporary problems in production, distribution, and consumption of commodities and resources. This field is concerned with decision making in the public sector and in firms that provide materials and services, credit, processing, marketing and distribution of products, as well as analysis of economic behavior in the food and fiber industries, including the effects of government policies.

The major objective of the department is to teach students to think analytically and base decisions on economic principles. Students develop skills in economics, mathematics, statistics, and communication. Training in policy, price analysis, and marketing is also provided. The department prepares graduates to manage business and financial firms, farms, ranches, and related organizations and direct land and property development and real estate activities.

Undergraduate Program

The Bachelor of Science in Agricultural and Applied Economics provides a strong foundation in economics and mathematics and emphasizes writing and communication skills. There is enough flexibility in the program to allow students to earn a minor in areas such as general business and personal financial planning. Minors are also available in other departments in the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources as well as in economics and other fields. The department offers a Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness. This degree program combines the core courses in agricultural and applied economics with those in business administration to provide a strong foundation for careers in businesses related to agriculture. In addition, a dual degree is offered in combination with the Rawls College of Business. This program leads to a B.S. in agricultural and applied economics and a B.B.A. in general business. Students may also prepare to study toward advanced degrees in economics, law, business administration, and other related areas.

The department’s programs also emphasize international economics, particularly with respect to trade in commodities. Students completing these plans of study will be better educated for the world economy of the future and will have opportunities for a wide range of careers. Local, regional, and national processing and marketing firms offer many applied economists their first positions. Others become self-employed business operators or managers. State Cooperative Extension Services, financial institutions, the United States Department of Agriculture, utility companies, and many state and government agencies also hire graduates.

The department offers a concentration in international agribusiness for students interested in international agribusiness and economics. The concentration includes 18 hours of coursework applied to any of the three degrees offered by the department (with no increase in required hours to graduate). The concentration includes an international experience of 3-6 credit hours completed in a foreign country, fulfilled by approved international study abroad or internship. In addition, the concentration includes 6 hours of core courses in international business and economics (AAEC 4306 and AAEC 4317 ) and 6-9 hours from selected courses in AAEC, ECO, BECO, FIN, MGT, and MKT.

The opportunity to participate in the Honors College is available to agricultural and applied economics students who demonstrate high academic achievement and are accepted into the Honors College. AAEC students wishing to earn an Honors College designation may take AAEC 4301 for honors credit. Admission criteria and other information about the Honors College can be found in the “Honors College ” section of this catalog.

Accelerated Bachelor’s‑to‑Master’s (ABM) Degrees. Exceptional undergraduate agricultural and applied economics majors who wish to complete an ABM degree in a timely manner may apply for admission into one of three accelerated degree programs:

Bachelor of Science in Agricultural and Applied Economics and Master of Agribusiness
Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Agricultural and Applied Economics, thesis option
Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Agricultural and Applied Economics, non-thesis option

Admission to these programs allows students to count 6 dual hours of undergraduate coursework toward these degrees. Application should be made during the first semester of the junior year following procedures available from the graduate program coordinator in the department.

Minors. The department offers two minors for nondepartmental majors–a minor in agribusiness management and a minor in international agribusiness. Both minors consist of 18 hours of coursework, including AAEC 2305, 9 hours from 3000-level AAEC courses, and 6 hours from 4000-level AAEC courses. Students must satisfy course prerequisites before registering for courses. The minor in international agribusiness requires 6 hours of approved courses in the area of international economics and buisness. A minimum of 3 credit hours must be taken in a foreign county, fulfilled by approved international study abroad.

Graduate Program

For information on graduate programs offered by the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics, visit the Graduate School section of the catalog.

Program Offerings & Course Descriptions

Programs

Bachelor’s

Undergraduate Minor

Intra-institutional Dual Degree

Agricultural and Applied Economics, B.S. / Bachelor of Business Administration, B.B.A.

Courses

Agricultural and Applied Economics (Undergraduate Courses)