Graduate

We offer highly-ranked M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics, as well as dual major options for doctoral students.

Ph.D. students receive advanced training in microeconomic theory and econometric methods, and select one of three major fields in:

Students with an interest in regional economics and state and local government policy select a major field based on their area of specific interest.

Master's students study courses in these same areas, but do not select a specific major field, so the M.S. program has additional flexibility.

For a full list of graduate course offerings, prospective students are encouraged to visit https://reg.msu.edu/courses/search.aspx and enter subject code AFRE.

AFRE/MSU's graduate preparation enables students to investigate a wide range of issues affecting not only the domestic and international producers, processors, and marketers of agricultural and natural resource products, but also the rural and urban populations who depend on these products and on broader environmental services.

All AFRE graduate degree programs (M.S., Ph.D., and dual major) are STEM-designated degree programs (CIP code 45.0603).

Graduates go on to become faculty at leading academic institutions or work in a wide range of research institute, government, NGO, and private sector positions for applied economists.

AFRE Grad Program Photo Collage

Questions

See details in our Graduate Policy and Program Handbook

For information on admissions requirements and procedures, please see our Applying & Visiting page.

For general information, please contact:

Jamie Bloom

Academic Program Coordinator
bloomja2@msu.edu
517-353-6644

Nicole Mason-Wardell

Associate Chairperson, Graduate Program Director, and Associate Professor
masonn@msu.edu
517-355-4563

Grad Student Spotlight

Food prices, inﬂation, and consumers

Published on February 10, 2026
We recently looked at how FAH vs. FAFH price changes affect short- and long-term inﬂation expectations, and how the resulting inﬂation expectations inﬂuence consumer attitudes.
What the new AEWR rule means for Michigan’s H-2A employers

Published on February 10, 2026
Many Michigan farmers have turned to the H-2A visa program to ﬁnd labor – a federal program that permits the legal hiring of foreign-born workers for seasonal agricultural work.
A new crop insurance design

Published on February 10, 2026
A new crop insurance designed based on probability of loss could result in premium subsidy redistribution of $3.36 billion annually.