Applied Economics

Graduate Program Fact Sheet
Applied Economics

Our highly-ranked Applied Economics degrees train students in advanced economic theory and quantitative economic analysis methods. The program emphasizes economic applications to real-world settings and cross-disciplinary collaborations regarding the economics of the environment, resources, development, and agriculture.

The close proximity of federal agencies such as USDA, EPA, NOAA, USFWS, DOE, and state agencies such as Oregon’s Departments of Agriculture and Environmental Quality, create unique opportunities to engage in research and collaborations with interdisciplinary faculty and researchers. Over half of our PhD recipients have been placed in academic positions and the others have obtained positions with consulting firms, state and federal research agencies, and research departments of major banks, industry, and trade associations.

Applied Economics | Accelerated M.S.

(current OSU students only)

The Applied Economics Accelerated Master’s Platform (AMP) allows current OSU students to complete an OSU undergraduate degree in Agricultural and Food Business Management (AFBM), Environmental Economics and Policy (EEP), or related undergraduate degrees and an M.S./M.A. in Applied Economics in 5 years of study.

The focus is on applied economics, policy, and quantitative analysis of natural resources management, environmental policy, sustainable development, and agricultural markets.


Applied Economics | M.S./M.A.

The Applied Economics Master’s degree trains students in the skills leading to success in analytical, policy, or management careers or as preparation for further graduate education. Our focus is on applied economic and policy analysis, quantitative analysis of natural resources and the environment, sustainable development, markets, and related areas.

Program emphasis is on the application of economic theory to real world settings, institutions, and problems.


Applied Economics | PhD

The Applied Economics PhD program provides training valuable for success in academic, government, and private-sector positions. Students focus on quantitative economic analysis of problems and policies in areas primarily related to agriculture, natural resources and the environment, trade, development, energy, marine and coastal resources, and health care.

The program emphasizes rigorous immersion in economic theory, econometrics and other quantitative methods, and in their uses and applications in the student’s concentration areas.




30

Graduate Students

5

Fellowships

Graduate Student Support

  • The Applied Economics Graduate Student Advisory Board serves as a platform to facilitate communication between students, faculty, and administration with a goal to impact pathways and experiences for the department’s graduate students.
  • Job Market Preparation Group provides multiple faculty-led seminars that cover topics including: information on the job market for new economics PhD holders, preparing job applications and a personal website, delivering job talks, and interviewing. Students nearing the end of their program are invited to participate.
  • Graduate Assistantships are limited and awarded each year by the Department of Applied Economics, the Department of Forest Ecosystems and Society, the Department of Forest Engineering and Management, and the College of Public Health and Human Sciences and possibly other sources.
  • The department and University also award several graduate fellowships and scholarships to outstanding students. For more information see the Graduate School’s Financing Your Education website at gradschool.oregonstate.edu/finance
  • The Coalition of Graduate Employees (CGE) represents the interests and rights of Oregon State University’s graduate employees through the bargaining and maintenance of a fair working contract. CGE strives to create a community of graduate employees empowered to advocate for collective issues.

How to Apply

The online application, a downloadable application form, and contact information are available from the Graduate School. You may also write to the Graduate School, Oregon State University, 2900 SW Jefferson Way, Corvallis, Oregon 97331; telephone them at 541-737-4881, or email at graduate.school@oregonstate.edu.

A student wishing to be admitted to any graduate program at Oregon State University must complete an application form, pay the application fee, and submit photocopies of all official transcripts. International students must also submit recent TOEFL scores and certify sufficient funding to complete the required degree. The Office of Admissions provides a more complete listing of required documents and application steps. Detailed information for both domestic applicants and international applicants is also available.

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Learn more: Downloadable PDF Fact Sheet: PDF icon cas_grad_appliedecon.pdf

Program Requirements

  • MS students should have completed the equivalent of: (a) two undergraduate courses in intermediate economic theory; (b) two 2nd- or 3rd-year undergraduate courses in statistics (not business statistics); and (c) an undergraduate course sequence in differential calculus.
  • Prerequisites for the PhD degree consist of advanced undergraduate or graduate coursework in microeconomic theory, econometrics, statistics, differential calculus, and linear algebra.
  • GRE scores must be submitted in addition to the information listed above.
  • Three letters of professional reference are required of all students.
  • The application deadline for admission in the following fall quarter is January 15. We only admit new students for fall quarter.
  • For more information visit https://appliedecon.oregonstate.edu/appliedecon/prospective-students/admissions

Alumni Spotlight

Elaine Jordan

There is generally strong demand for applied economists and our graduates get great jobs.

Elaine Jordan, is a recent graduate who is using her training as an Energy Regulatory Analyst with the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission, Olympia, Washington. Elaine was an undergraduate at OSU and was able to get her MS degree shortly after her BS in a seamless fashion. She said, “The skills I learned in the Applied Economics MS program allow me to tackle the problems of the clean energy future.”