The M.S. Agricultural and Applied Economics Professional Option (MSPO) program is a full-time accelerated professional master’s program designed to meet the growing private sector demand for quantitatively-skilled analysts and managers. The program typically takes 2 years to complete to complete.
Technological and behavioral changes have caused enormous amounts of data to be made available in nearly all sectors of the economy; generating useful insights from this information requires skills in economic reasoning, data management, empirical analysis, and technical communication. The MSPO is a STEM-designated program.
Students will be well prepared to enter the professional workforce in both the US and abroad in data-intensive and quantitatively focused jobs in economic consulting, businesses, agribusinesses, non-profit organizations focused on development, and governmental sectors.
AAE MSPO is also partners with the National Association of Business Economists, and the program allows students to become a Certified Business Economist (CBE).
Curriculum
The curriculum features three semesters and one summer term of core offerings in econometrics, economic theory, and professional development, along with a capstone practicum class leading to a professional report that functions as a thesis.
While the program focuses on key themes of data analysis, applied economic intuition, and professional development, it also allows students to pursue individual interests in our major fields of specialty: development, food and agriculture, commodity, energy, and environmental economics.
Required courses:
- AAE 771 Calculus and Intermediate Microeconomics
- AAE 636 Applied Econometric Analysis
- AAE 721 Writing and Speaking for Applied Economists
- AAE 772 Applied Econometrics for QAE & REDA
- AAE 706 Risk Analysis
- AAE 720 Seminar in Quantitative and Applied Economics
- AAE 722 Machine Learning in Applied Economic Analysis
- AAE 723 Professional Development for Applied Economists
- AAE 724 Practicum for Applied Economists
- Elective course work (6+ credits)
Application
All applicants must provide:
- Official transcripts from an accredited U.S. institution or a comparable international institution
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited U.S. institution or an international degree comparable to a regionally accredited U.S. bachelor’s degree
- TOEFL, IELTS scores, if applicable
- Statement of purpose essay/reasons for graduate study
- CV/Resume
- For admissions 2021-22, GRE scores are optional due to the pandemic. If submitted, GRE scores must be from within the previous 5 years.
- Two letters of recommendation
More information on Graduate Admissions
Visiting International Students Program
Cost of Study
The program costs $1500 per credit. More information on the full cost of study at the University of Wisconsin is available here.
