Jan. 8, 2024
Next Start Date
12
Courses Required
$690
Cost Per Credit Hour
30
Total Credit Hours
Online Courses
Learning Formats
The Master of Science in Resource Economics and Management, offered by the Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design, provides advanced training in the areas of natural resource, environmental, agricultural, mineral, energy, agribusiness, international, and rural development economics. Only a handful of other institutions across the country offer a relevant online master’s program in this area and the U.S. Department of Agriculture predicts that graduates of programs in the fields of natural resources and agriculture will be needed in the coming years to address issues related to food security and sustainable energy. The program can be completed with or without a thesis.
Curriculum layout: 8-week courses and 16-week courses. The program is 30 hours with or without a thesis. Students completing a thesis take 6 research credits as part of their 30 hours; students who are not completing a thesis take 30 course credits.
Students develop their formalized plan of study during their first year, in conjunction with the graduate committee.
WVU allows students to complete prerequisites before beginning coursework, but after being admitted to the program. Prerequisites for admission include the following:
Students lacking these prerequisites must complete coursework to acquire them. Graduate programs are planned to ensure that candidates develop competence in the following:
"Being a WVU graduate and a first-generation college student, I’m happy to be back to help you navigate the WVU System. Something WVU Online wants to do is assist you in creating your sense of community and continuity, making sure you have the answers to any and all questions."
For regular admission, a student must:
Applications accepted on a rolling basis for start in January, May, or August.
For more information, visit the Graduate Admissions page.
WVU provides a comprehensive approach to helping you finance your education. Learn more by visiting the Student Financial Services website.
Students are encouraged to:
Resource Economics and Management M.S. total degree cost: $20,700 – Residents and Non-Residents
Credits | Cost |
---|---|
1 | $690 |
3 | $2,070 |
6 | $4,140 |
9 | $6,210 |
Tuition and fees are usually not the only educational expenses you may have while pursuing a degree. You may have other costs such as books, supplies and living expenses. Please see the Estimate Costs and Aid webpage for how to estimate and plan for other potential expenses.
Required courses
Course | Title | Credit Hours |
---|---|---|
ARE 601 | Applied Microeconomics | 4 |
ARE 621 | Quantitative Methods | 3 |
ARE 624 | Econometric Methods in Resource Economics | 3 |
ARE 696 | Graduate Seminar | 1-3 |
ARE 632 and/or ARE 633 | Natural Resource and Environmental Economics/Natural Resource Policy Analysis | 3/6 |
Suggested Electives
Course | Title | Credit Hours |
---|---|---|
RESM 440 | Foundations of GIS | 3 |
RESM 444 | Advanced GIS | 3 |
RESM 575 | Spatial Analysis for Resource Management | 3 |
RESM 585 | GIS and Spatial Analysis Project | 3 |
RESM 540 | Geospatial Modeling | 3 |
ENVP 525 | Principles of Water Resources | 3 |
RESM 560 | Advanced Energy Project Management | 3 |
ARE 461 | Agribusiness Finance | 3 |
ARE 620 | Adaptation and Mitigation Strategies for Addressing Climate Change | 3 |
The primary objective of this program is to prepare students for further graduate study or a variety of careers in business and government. A candidate for the degree must comply with University, College, and program requirements. The Master of Science degree in Resource Economics and Management can be obtained under either course work or thesis options.
Overall, the WVU Master of Science in Resource Economics and Management program offers a comprehensive education that prepares students for careers in a variety of fields related to resource economics and management, with the flexibility and support needed to succeed in today's rapidly changing job market.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment of economists is projected to grow 6 percent from 2021 to 2031, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Analysts are projected to grow 3 percent. Actuaries and data scientists have a projected growth of 21 and 36 percent, faster than the average for all occupations.
Graduates of a master’s degree in Resource and Economics Management may obtain jobs in a variety of fields related to natural resources, environmental policy, and energy. Some common job titles for graduates of this program include:
A full-time student can complete this degree in 2 semesters. A part-time student can complete this degree in 4 semesters.