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 nearly 60% larger than two years ago. This year’s cohort is comprised of traditional applicants, as well as six Visiting International (VISP) students and two students from the 4+1 program, an expedited Accelerated Master’s pathway for undergraduates. Diversity has also expanded, with student representation from mainland China, Macau, South Korea and Taiwan. 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 30-credit master’s program. Typically completed in 15-21 months, it 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.
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. Of the five students who applied to PhD programs, all received fully funded offers from excellent universities in the U.S. and Europe: Michigan State, Penn State, Purdue, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, University of Leicester, and our own AAE Department. Past MSPO graduates have received offers from highly ranked doctoral programs including Duke, the University of California-Berkeley, the University of California-Riverside, the University of Georgia, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, the University of Minnesota, and various departments within UW-Madison, including AAE, the Business School, and the Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies.
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.
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).