• Special Programs

• Publications and Collections

• Academic Information

• College of Agricultural Sciences

• College of Art and Sciences

• College of Business Administration

• College of Engineering

• Interdisciplinary Programs

In addition to the admission requirements of the Office of Graduate Studies, a Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Economics or its equivalent is required. There are no specific program requirements above those of the Office of Graduate Studies. All students are required to conduct an original research and to write a thesis. A strong knowledge of macroeconomics, microeconomics, and quantitative methods is a needed for every candidate willing to pursue the degree.

It is possible for students to focus their thesis research on the department’s research projects. Research facilities of the Agricultural Experiment Station are available to students.

The program includes course offerings and research opportunities in the following areas: Agricultural Production Economics, Farm Management, Marketing, and Natural Resources and Environmental Economics, Global Marketing and others.

Advanced Undergraduate Courses

ECAG 5006. FEASIBILITY STUDIES AGRI-CULTURAL ENTERPRISES. Three credit hours. Three hours of lecture per week. Prerequisites: ECAG 4019 or authorization of the Director of the Department.

To develop the necessary skills to complete a feasibility study of the establishment and development of agricultural enterprices, considering the conceptual, technical, environmental, marketing and economic feasibility.

Graduate Courses

ECAG 6601. RESOURCE ECONOMICS. Three credit hours. Three hours of lecture per week.

Analysis of problems in the development and management of natural resources. Emphasis on natural resources in agriculture and their impact in economic development. Economic principles involved in efficient utilization of natural resources, such as water, land, sea and forest.

ECAG 6604. ADVANCED FARM MANAGEMENT (On demand). Three credit hours. Three hours of lecture per week.

Analysis of situations and problems related with management of farm businesses. Includes study and analysis of methods of collecting and analyzing farm data; marginal analysis and budgeting techniques; and managerial concepts as they apply to all levels of decision-making.

ECAG 6611. ECONOMICS OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION (On demand). Three credit hours. Three hours of lecture per week.

Economic analysis of agricultural production. Includes the study of production and cost functions; input-output analysis; and the decision-making process necessary for a proper utilization of resources.

ECAG 6631. ADVANCED AGRICULTURAL MARKETING (I) (Even numbered years). Three credit hours. Three hours of lecture per week.

A comprehensive advanced study of the field of agricultural marketing.

ECAG 6635. GLOBAL AGRIBUSINESS MARKETING. Three credit hours. Three hours of lecture per week.

Analysis of the different marketing strategies used by agribusiness organizations in the global market.

ECAG 6641. AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT (On demand). Three credit hours. Three hours of lecture per week.

Study and analysis of the factors that influence the process of transformation and development of the agricultural sector of the economy, emphasizing those of an economic nature. Emphasis is given to the situation presented by an economy in full process of development. The interrelationships of the agricultural sector with other sectors of the economy are examined and analyzed.

ECAG 6650. ECONOMICS OF AGRICULTURAL POLICY. Three credit hours. Three lectures per week.

General comprehensive study of the formulation and implementation of policy for the agricultural sector of the economy, with major emphasis on the economic aspects. Reference is made to specific aspects of policy, especially in Puerto Rico and the United States.

ECAG 6654. RURAL SOCIOLOGY PROBLEMS. Three credit hours. Three lectures per week.

The application of sociological theories to the analysis of rural social problems; investigation of factors detrimental to community development and human welfare.

ECAG 6660. AGRICULTURAL PRICES (II) (Even numbered years). Three credit hours. Three hours of lecture per week.

A cross-sectional analysis of the factors affecting demand and product prices, study of empirical techniques of economic model building and interpretation and of forecasting.

ECAG 6665. APPLIED ECONOMETRICS I. Three credit hours. Three hours of lecture per week.

Use of econometrics in the agricultural econom¬ics problems and its application in production, price and consumption models.

ECAG 6990. SUPERVISED PROFESSIONAL OCCUPATIONAL EXPERIENCE FOR COOP STUDENTS. From three to six credit hours. Only three credits will be considered within the minimum of the required 30 credits for the graduate program.

Practical experience in Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Management in cooperation with the private sector or government. To be jointly supervised by the academic department, the Coop program coordinator, and an official from the cooperating entity. A written report will be required upon completion of each work period.

ECAG 6995. SPECIAL PROBLEMS IN AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS. Two to six credit hours. One to three research periods per week.

This course provides for study in any phase of Agricultural Economics in which the student is especially interested. Individual problem method.

ECAG 6997. SELECTED TOPICS (On demand). One to three credit hours. Prerequisite: Authorization of the Director of the Department.

Selected topics in agricultural economics such as economic evaluation of agricultural projects, agricultural law, environmental economics, agricultural finance and others.

ECAG 6998. SELECTED TOPICS (On demand). One to three credit hours. Prerequisite: Authorization of the Director of the Department.

Selected topics in agricultural economics such as economic evaluation of agricultural projects, agricultural law, environmental economics, agricultural finance and others.

ECAG 6999. RESEARCH IN AGRICUL¬TURAL ECONOMICS (I, II, S). One to six credit hours. One to six research periods per week.

Organized research in Agricultural Economics on a Master's thesis level, including thesis presenta¬tion and discussion as part of the requirements for a Master of Science degree with a major in Agricultural Economics.

A list of professors who engage in graduate activities in the Department follows, including the highest earned degree, date, and institution granting the degree. Research and teaching interests are also included.

CARMEN I. ALAMO-GONZALEZ, Associate Researcher (Agricultural Economics), M.S., 1988, University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez Campus. Research and Teaching Interest: Agricultural Economics.

VIVIAN CARRO, Researcher, M.A., 1976, University of London. Research and Teaching Interest: Rural Sociology.

MYRNA COMAS-PAGAN, Associate Extension Specialist, M.S., 1990, University of Puerto Rico. Research and Teaching Interests: Farm Management and Agricultural Marketing.

MILDRED CORTES-PEREZ, Associate Researcher (Economics), M.A., 1995, University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus. Research and Teaching Interest: General Economics.

EDNA DROZ, Associate Researcher, M.A., 1962, University of California, Stanford. Research and Teaching Interest: Rural Sociology.

JORGE FERNANDEZ-CORNEJO, Adjunct Professor (Agricultural Economics), Ph.D., 1990, University of Delaware. Teaching Interest: Agricultural Economics.

GLADYS GONZALEZ, Professor, Ph.D., 1984, University of Missouri. Research and Teaching Interests: Natural Resources Economics, Land Use, Production Economics.

JORGE GONZALEZ, Professor, Ph.D., 1986, University of Missouri, J.D., 1995, Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico. Research and Teaching Interests: Agricultural Marketing and Agribusiness.

JOSE E. MARTINEZ, Assistant Extension Specialist (Rural Sociology), Ph.D., 2004, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA. Research and Teaching Interest: Rural Sociology.

MADELINE MENDOZA-MALDONADO, Extension Specialist (Economics), M.S., 1988, University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus. Research and Teaching Interest: General Economics.

JUAN ORTIZ-LOPEZ, Associate Researcher, M.S., 1986, University of Puerto Rico. Research and Teaching Interests: Agricultural Economics.