Undergraduate Programs: Academic Programs
Agricultural Economics
This page describes the Agricultural Economics concentration within the Agricultural Economics degree in the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics at Colorado State University. In addition to this description, please see the documents box for additional information and planning tools.
Analysis and Planning for the Future Of Agriculture
Agriculture, like other businesses, has its producers, distributors, and consumers — all interdependent links in the market system. Another less obvious yet still vital role in agriculture is the agricultural economist who analyzes these areas to predict trends and foresee future needs.
The agricultural economics major at Colorado State University will prepare you for a career as an agricultural economist or a natural resource economist. In addition, if you plan to pursue graduate studies in agricultural and natural resource economics, you should strongly consider the agricultural economics major. Your course work in agricultural and natural resources, agricultural economics, economic theory, mathematics, statistics, and computer applications will provide you with essential training for advanced studies in agricultural and natural resource economics.
Career Opportunities
Your best career opportunities in agricultural economics are positions as agricultural statistician, crop and price forecaster, farm credit analyst, and commodity analyst.
You will also find numerous career opportunities should you complete graduate studies. Graduate-trained economists may find the most opportunities in administration, management, and financial advising. Other jobs include market price forecaster, post-high school teacher, and natural resource analyst. Current prospects with government agencies such as United States Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service and other public agencies, are also good.
Curriculum
Your course work in this concentration includes classes in agricultural economics, physical and biological sciences, and technical agriculture during your first two years. During your junior and senior years, you will select courses in advanced agricultural economics, mathematics, statistics, and economic theory.
Internships
Internships provide students with opportunities to observe and develop management skills and to gain professional experience. The internship experience provides the student with an opportunity to “test” a selected career prior to graduation. Internships are particularly important for students with limited rural/agricultural background. Depending upon the internship selected, students will gain “real world” experience in marketing, production, management, and/or finance in an agricultural business or resource agency. Internships may be paid or unpaid and students may earn college credit for their internship experience.
Clubs
The Agri-Business Association (ABA) is the undergraduate student organization in the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics. The Club is open to all students, provides leadership opportunities for its members, and complements their academic program with business and industry contact. Club programs are a mix of social activities and agri-business and resource economics speakers. Annual highlights include a spring break trip to visit agricultural business and resource agencies in different regions of the nation and a job search workshop.