2024-2025 Undergraduate and Graduate Catalog
Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics
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Phillip N. Johnson, Ph.D., Chairperson
Combest Chair of Agricultural Competitiveness: Hudson
Charles Thompson Chair of Agricultural Finance: Johnson
Emabeth Thompson Professor of Risk Management: Devadoss
Professors: Devadoss, Hudson, Johnson, Lyford, Misra
Associate Professors: Chidmi, Farmer, Lange, Martin, Murova, Pavlik, Rahman, Wang
Assistant Professors: Amin, Badruddoza, Che, McCallister, Mottaleb
Professor of Practice: Middleton
Adjunct Faculty: Phillips
CONTACT INFORMATION: 317 Agricultural Sciences 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:
Dual Degree Programs
The field of agricultural and applied economics focuses on the application of 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 Programs
The Bachelor of Science in Agricultural and Applied Economics provides a strong foundation in economics and mathematics and emphasizes writing and communication skills. Flexibility in the program allows a student to earn a minor in areas such as general business and personal financial planning. Minors are also available in other departments in the Davis College as well as in economics and other fields. The department also 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 solid 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 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 three or six credit hours completed in a foreign country, fulfilled by approved international study abroad. In addition, the concentration includes six hours of core courses in international business and economics (AAEC 4306 and AAEC 4317 ) and six or nine 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.
Communication Literacy Requirement. The ability of students to communicate effectively is important for success. The Agricultural and Applied Economics department is committed to improving communication skills of our students. Communication literacy in Agricultural and Applied Economics is evidenced by competence in reading, writing, and oral communication. These competencies are reinforced through requirements within a selection of courses that seek to develop these communication skills. An important aspect of communication for our students is the ability to communicate within an economic context that includes analysis and conclusions.
The communication literacy requirement signals the university’s awareness that, in addition to the fundamental role that writing plays in enabling students to explore, develop, focus, and organize a message, other types of communication must also be taught as appropriate for a student’s discipline. Throughout each program of study, students must be given many opportunities to develop their skills in forms of communication central to that program.
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 9 dual hours of undergraduate coursework toward these degrees. Application should be made during the first semester of the junior year following procedures from the department’s graduate program coordinator.
Minors. The department offers three minors for non-departmental majors—a minor in agribusiness management ; a minor in international agribusiness ; and a minor in applied political economy . All minors consist of 18 hours of coursework. The minor in agribusiness management requires AAEC 2305 , nine hours from 3000-level AAEC courses, and six hours from 4000-level AAEC courses. Students must satisfy course prerequisites before registering for courses. The minor in international agribusiness requires six hours of approved courses in international economics and business, all requirements for a minor in agribusiness management, and a minimum of three credit hours must be taken in a foreign country, fulfilled by approved international study abroad. The minor in applied political economy includes nine hours of core courses, three hours of policy analysis, and six elective hours.
Graduate Program
For information on graduate programs offered by the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics, visit the Graduate Programs section of the catalog.
Undergraduate Program Offerings & Course Descriptions
(Click on program for curricular table.)
ProgramsBachelor’sUndergraduate MinorUndergraduate CertificateAccelerated Bachelor’s to Master’s DegreeIntra-institutional Dual DegreeCoursesAAEC - Agricultural and Applied Economics (Undergraduate Courses)
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