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Programs of Study, 1997-1999
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
AGRICULTURAL AND CONSUMER ECONOMICS
Head of the Department: Robert J. Hauser
Correspondence and Information: Head, Department of Agricultural and Consumer Economics, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 305 Mumford Hall, 1301 West Gregory Drive, Urbana, IL 61801; phone 217-333-1810; Fax 217-333-5538. E-mail: ace-aces@uiuc.edu. URL: http://w3.aces.uiuc.edu/ACE/Welcome/index.html
GRADUATE FACULTY
Professors: P. J. Barry, A. H. Beller, C. A. Bock. J. B. Braden, D. L. Chicoine, B. J. Cude, L. P. Fettig, P. Garcia, D. L. Good, M. R. Grossman, R. J. Hauser, L. D. Hill, R. M. Leuthold, D. A. Lins, M. Raheel, S. B. Salamon, W. D. Seitz, S. T. Sonka, B. E. Swanson, S. R. Thompson, D. L. Uchtmann
Associate Professors: J. E. Allen, D. S. Bullock, K. Cloud, S. U. Douglas, R. L. Farnsworth, N. J. Fisher, V. R. Fitzsimmons, R. H. Hornbaker, H. M. B. Lakner, M. A. Mazzocco, M. A. Morganosky, C. H. Nelson, G. C. Nelson, B. J. Sherrick, L. J. Unnevehr, R. E. Westgren
Assistant Professors: R. J. Brazee, E. A. DeVuyst, P. N. Ellinger, R. J. Garcia, J. S. Gray, M. Khanna, H. Onal, M. R. Ward, A. E. Winter-Nelson
GRADUATE DEGREE PROGRAMS
The Department of Agricultural and Consumer Economics (ACE) offers courses of study that lead to the Master of Science and the Doctor of Philosophy degrees. Students may choose an option in Agricultural/Consumer Economics or in Consumer/Textile Marketing. The Agricultural/Consumer Economics option builds on a foundation of economic theory whereas the Consumer/Textile Marketing option builds on marketing and consumer behavior theory.
ADMISSION
Graduate College requirements apply including a 3.0 (A=4.0) GPA for the last 60 semester hours of undergraduate course work and any graduate work completed. International applicants must have an official TOEFL score of at least 570. GRE general test scores are required for candidates seeking financial aid and requested for all applicants. Students having an inadequate background in theory or quantitative methods will be asked to take additional course work to prepare for graduate study. An applicant with a master's degree in an appropriate discipline will be considered for the Ph.D. degree. Students may commence study in either semester, but fall semester initial enrollment is preferable for Ph.D. students.
MASTER OF SCIENCE
The M.S. offers considerable flexibility. Students using the degree as a foundation for a doctorate emphasize economic theory and analytical research tools. Students seeking the terminal degree focus their study on the concepts and analytical techniques used by analysts and managers in industries, governments, and other organizations.
Students must earn a 3.0 (A=4.0) GPA for a minimum of eight units of course work including a maximum of two units for a thesis which is prepared under the supervision of a faculty advisory committee. The thesis is defended in a formal oral examination, which usually coincides with an open departmental seminar, administered by the thesis advisory committee. Two units of ACE 400-level course work not including independent study and thesis credit are required. Courses in theory, research methods, and quantitative methods are also required.
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY
The Doctor of Philosophy is a research-oriented degree that prepares successful candidates for positions in higher education, governmental agencies, non-governmental organizations, and the research and management functions of the private sector.
Specializations and Options. Ph.D. students choose from among the following areas of specialization:
-Agricultural Finance
-Consumer and Textile Marketing
-Family and Consumer Economics
-Price Analysis and Agricultural Marketing
-Farm and Agribusiness Management
-International and Policy Economics
-Natural Resource, Production and Environmental Economics
The Department also encourages specializations involving substantial course work in other departments, such as Economics, Finance, and Business Administration.
Students in both the Agricultural/Consumer Economics and the Consumer/Textile Marketing options pursue course work in theory and quantitative methods as well as completing a dissertation. Students complete course work and a written preliminary examination in one area of specialization. They enhance their study by selecting course work in at least one other area. Under the Agricultural/Consumer Economics option students receive a solid understanding of economic theory and its application as well as an understanding of tools of economic analysis. Under the Consumer/Textile Marketing option students complete courses on consumer behavior, buyer behavior, or trade theory and generally elect the remainder of their courses to enhance their understanding of the marketing system.
The Ph.D. core courses cover the theory and quantitative methods upon which advanced research, teaching, and service in ACE are based. The specialty area courses build on the knowledge gained in the core courses.
Minor in the Department of ACE. A doctoral student enrolled in another department of the University may obtain a minor in the Department of Agricultural and Consumer Economics by completing two units of courses in ACE, at least one of which must be at the 400 level, and by passing a written preliminary examination in one of the areas of specialization. A candidate for a minor must apply to the Head of the Department for the appointment of a faculty member who will supervise the minor field.
Course Credit and Examination Requirements. The doctoral degree candidate must complete a minimum of 16 units beyond the master's degree with at least eight of these units being nonthesis courses. Completion of core courses in three consecutive semesters with 3.0 (A=4.0) GPA is required with maintenance of the cumulative 3.0 GPA for the remainder of the program. Four units of 400-level course work are required, excluding the core courses, independent study, and thesis credit. A general preliminary examination is taken in the semester immediately following completion of the core course requirement, and a speciality preliminary examination is taken in one of the speciality areas offered by the Department. An oral preliminary examination assesses preparation and plans for independent research. This examination includes, but is not limited to, the student's formal proposal for dissertation research. Finally, prior to submitting an acceptable dissertation to the Graduate College, students are required to pass an oral examination that evaluates the dissertation research.
FINANCIAL AID
The Department of Agricultural and Consumer Economics offers, on a competitive basis, graduate fellowships, assistantships, and tuition and fee waivers.
Fellowships. The Department offers fellowships from internal resources and by nominating students for College and Campus Fellowships. These fellowships, often combined with assistantship support, provide monetary stipends and, in most cases, exemptions from tuition and most student fees. Recipients must register for the equivalent of at least three units of graduate credit in each semester and one unit in the summer session. Fellowship holders are encouraged to be involved with research and teaching in the Department.
Assistantships. Research or teaching assistantships
provide an opportunity for graduate students to work with faculty. Most research
assistantships are funded on grants and contracts involving the analysis of contemporary
issues. Research assistant duties generally include literature reviews, data collection
and analysis and preparation of reports. An assistantship appointment of one-quarter
to two-thirds time for 91 days or more during a semester exempts the student from
tuition and some student fees for that semester, as well as providing a stipend.
Time commitments are based on a 40-hour week. Thus, a one-half time appointment requires
20 hours per week, on average, in research or teaching activities assigned by a faculty
supervisor. The percent time of appointment varies depending on the availability
of funds, the nature of responsibilities, and the student's qualifications. The assistantship
stipend rates are set annually before the fall semester and are competitive with
peer institutions.
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