The Applied and Resource Economics major applies economic and business analytic methods to address problems pertaining to markets, regional and community development, production and distribution in the food industries,  and the management of natural resources and the environment. The curriculum helps students develop their critical thinking abilities with hands-on practice with an extraordinary suite of technical and analytical tools.  

 Examples of questions answered through the ARE curriculum: How do incentives rule the world? What is the best way to market locally grown foods? Is any level of pollution good for society? How do Farmers’ markets benefit local economies? What is the economic value of national parks? What is the economic value of herd immunity from vaccines? How do poverty, affluence and population changes affect the environment? What is the value of clean air and clean water? How are business interests aligned with environmental interests? How much does a day at the beach cost other beach users? What can you do in your career to promote sustainable economic development?  What types of economic policies align environmental goals with economic prosperity? How does agriculture benefit non-farmers in the rural/urban interface? How does water quality connect the economies of different regions? 

ARE Program highlights: 

• Exceptionally high-quality program with a long-standing academic tradition of excellence in teaching, research, and public service, courses are taught by distinguished faculty with Ph.Ds.   
• Very applied curriculum – like an Economics degree, students acquire knowledge about economic theory, methods, and techniques, but teaching and learning methods in Applied Economics heavily incorporates the use of real-world examples to show the relevance of economic theory and methods pertaining to problems in natural resources, the environment, food, hunger, health, economic development, and policy. You cannot forget concepts when you learn through applications and examples! 
• Scholarships awarded each semester based on academic performance, leadership skills, and financial needs.  
• Individual attention through small-class settings and personalized advising. 
• Many varied opportunities for research experience and internship supervision – students benefit from high level of faculty research activity and public engagement. 
• Rewarding career opportunities and high starting salaries

 The flexible program allows students to follow a structured curriculum or, with the assistance of their faculty advisor, to create a curriculum to meet their individual career goals and interests. Students can choose to concentrate in one or more of the following areas:  

• Business Management and Marketing  
• Environmental Economics and Policy 
• Development Economics and Policy

Learn more about the concentrations here.