Agricultural & Applied Economics

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 M.S. Agricultural and Applied Economics Professional Option (MSPO) program is a full-time professional master’s program designed to meet the growing private sector demand for quantitatively-skilled analysts and managers. 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. The MSPO is a STEM-designated program which allows graduates to apply for the Occupational Practical Training (OPT) STEM extension to work in the U.S. an additional 24 months following graduation (3 years total). The program typically takes 2 years to complete but can be completed in as little as 15 months. Students that have full-time jobs or other responsibilities are also able to complete the degree on a flexible part-time basis, taking 1-2 classes per semester for up to five years. Students that graduate with a bachelor’s degree from UW-Madison can transfer up to seven credits of approved electives towards the MSPO degree (e.g., 300+ level classes from AAE, Economics, Statistics or related departments). Motivated undergraduate students pursuing the AAE or ABM major also have the option of applying for the 4+1 Accelerated MSPO Program which provides AAE undergrads the option of completing a bachelor’s and master’s degree in just five years. Students that wish to pursue the 4+1 Accelerated MSPO option should complete AAE 636: Applied Econometric Analysis and AAE 637: Applied Econometrics II with a grade of “B” or better by the end of their senior year. For more information about this accelerated path and approved electives, contact the MSPO Coordinator, Jordan van Rijn, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. AAE MSPO also partners with the National Association of Business Economists, and the program allows students to become a Certified Business Economist (CBE). Curriculum