The Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics (AREC) at the University of Maryland offers rigorous, interdisciplinary graduate training designed to prepare the next generation of economists, policy leaders, and researchers. Our Master's and PhD programs focus on applying economic theory and quantitative methods to real-world challenges related to agriculture, energy, natural resources, the environment, and global development.
Students benefit from an engaged scholarly community, renowned faculty expertise, and the department’s proximity to Washington, D.C. - a leading center for policy, research, and innovation.
Graduate Programs Offered:
→ Read more about our Master of Science (MS) in Agricultural and Resource Economics program
→ Read more about our Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Agricultural and Resource Economics program
Why Choose AREC at UMD?
→ Globally Recognized Faculty: Our faculty are leading scholars in environmental and resource economics, energy and climate policy, development, applied microeconomics, and agricultural policy.
→ Research Impact: AREC faculty hold competitive grants from the USDA, NSF, World Bank, and other top institutions, driving high-impact research that shapes policy.
→ Collaborative Environment: We offer mentorship-driven learning and small cohort sizes, ensuring meaningful faculty-student interaction and personalized guidance.
→ Strategic Location: Proximity to D.C. offers students unique internship and career opportunities in think tanks, government agencies, and international organizations.
→ Internationally renowned energy and resource-focused graduate programs (more about our Master's and PhD programs)
Recent Faculty Honors:
→ USDA grant awards for research on climate change adaptation and pollinator habitats
→ Provost’s Excellence Award for Professional Track Faculty
→ Multiple editorial board appointments in top economic journals
Our Faculty
Our faculty are internationally recognized scholars in environmental and resource economics, agricultural economics, and development economics.
Policy Experience
Our faculty bring policy experience that matches the depth and rigor of their scholarship. Several have served on the President’s Council of Economic Advisers, while many others have contributed their expertise as consultants to organizations such as the U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Environmental Protection Agency, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the World Bank, and the Inter-American Development Bank.
Our location in the Washington, D.C. metro area further amplifies these strengths. Students and faculty enjoy unparalleled access to leading institutions - including the World Bank, International Food Policy Research Institute, Resources for the Future, International Monetary Fund, U.S. Agency for International Development, Food and Drug Administration, Census Bureau, and numerous other prestigious organizations - creating rich opportunities for collaboration, research, and real-world impact.
For a full list of accomplishments, please visit our Awards & Honors section.
Excellence in Research
Our faculty have earned international recognition for their scholarship, receiving honors such as Germany’s Alexander von Humboldt Prize, the American Economic Association’s John Bates Clark Medal, and the Agricultural and Applied Economics Association’s Quality of Research Discovery and Publication of Enduring Quality Awards, among others.
Many have also been elected Fellows of leading professional societies, including the Agricultural and Applied Economics Association, the Association of Environmental and Resource Economists, the Econometric Society, and the American Statistical Association - reflecting their influence across diverse fields of economic research.
Faculty members have further shaped the discipline through leadership roles, serving as presidents of the American Agricultural Economics Association and the Association of Environmental and Resource Economists, as well as through editorial positions at major journals such as the Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, the American Journal of Agricultural Economics, the Journal of Public Economics, and Environment and Development Economics.
In addition, a faculty member currently holds a research fellowship at the National Bureau of Economic Research, underscoring the department’s continued engagement in cutting-edge economic inquiry.
Our Students
Graduate students collaborate closely with our faculty - whether as research assistants, teaching assistants, or in other professional capacities - gaining hands-on experience that strengthens their academic and career development. Our robust peer-mentoring program connects incoming students with current graduate students, fostering guidance, support, and a strong sense of belonging from day one.
We encourage students to take part in a wide range of student-centered activities and to immerse themselves in our vibrant community.
Our faculty and staff work intentionally with each student to understand their goals and aspirations, connecting them with both curricular and co-curricular opportunities to learn, experiment, and achieve meaningful progress toward their future pathways.
Our Graduates
Our graduates are successful professionals and are employed in the private and public sector with equal success. For more information, please visit Recent Graduate Placements page for more information.
We invite you to reach out via email to the Graduate Assistant Director with questions.
