Now in its seventh year, the Professional Master’s (MSPO) Program at the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics (AAE) continues its annual growth trend. The 2024-2025 incoming class of 19 is an almost 60% enrollment increase over the past two years. Accepted applicants include six Visiting International (VISP) students from partner universities in China, Macau and Taiwan and two students from the 4+1 program, an expedited Accelerated Master’s pathway for undergraduates. Combined with the 2023 cohort, a total of 37 students are enrolled in AAE’s MSPO and VISP programs.
The MSPO program is a full-time accelerated master’s program that can be completed in as little as 12 months. Designed to meet the growing private sector demand for quantitatively skilled analysts, economists and managers, MSPO students take core courses in microeconomic theory, econometrics, data science, communication, and professional development. Students can choose elective coursework and specialize in AAE’s various areas of expertise, including agribusiness management agricultural economics, environmental economics and natural resources, international development, community economic development, and quantitative methods. The program also partners with the National Association of Business Economists (NABE) to offer the Certified Business Economist (CBE) certification, the first partnership of its kind in Wisconsin.
Results from an alumni survey conducted by AAE found that MSPO graduates go on to lead exciting careers as data scientists, policy advisors, research analysts, consultants, economists and lecturers. Graduates work in fields as diverse as finance and banking, the environment and natural resources, international trade and commerce, agribusiness and agricultural economics, energy, and international development. Employers include OneEnergy, America’s Credit Unions, Zoro, BHG Financial, World Vision International, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, Scale AI, Acumen, RCF Consulting and KPMG.
During their graduate studies, many MSPO students discover that they enjoy research and the academic environment and decide to pursue further training via PhD programs. Last year, all four MSPO students who applied for PhD programs accepted fully funded offers from excellent universities including UNC-Chapell Hill, Penn State, Michigan State and our own AAE Department. In prior years, MSPO graduates have received offers from programs at highly ranked universities including Duke, UC Berkley, UC Riverside, the University of Minnesota, the University of Georgia, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and various departments here at UW-Madison, including AAE, the Business School, and the Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies.
For more information about AAE’s MSPO, VISP or 4+1 Accelerated MSPO programs visit the website (https://aae.wisc.edu/grad/mspo/) or contact MSPO Coordinator, Jordan van Rijn (vanrijn@wisc.edu).