The MS program in Resource and Applied Economics at UNR is well suited for prospective graduate students with interests in applications of economics to analyze:

•  natural resource and environmental policy,
• public lands management,
• renewable energy,
• water resources,
• regional economics,
• agricultural economics,
• resource use and conservation,
• recreation,
• environmental valuation, and
• other related topics

Coursework and a variety of on-going research programs at the Department of Resource Economics provide for an intellectually challenging and professionally fulfilling environment. Graduate students may apply for graduate research assistantships (GRAs), which provide students with opportunities to work closely with faculty on research projects. The academic atmosphere is collegial and supportive, where students and faculty have a high level of contact.

Students with bachelors degrees in economics or related fields as well as students from other disciplines have succeeded in the MS program. Many of our alumni work throughout the state of Nevada and elsewhere in satisfying careers in natural resource and applied economics.

A solid preparation for the program includes 2 semesters of calculus; two semesters of statistics, including regression or econometrics; and a calculus-based upper-level undergraduate microeconomics course and/or a mathematical economics course. Students who do not have this academic background can be admitted, though some preparatory courses may be required.

All Graduate programs at the University of Nevada, Reno are governed by Graduate School requirements. Individual departmental and programs may include additional requirements. Prospective and current students are expected to become familiar with the University of Nevada Graduate School requirements, starting with the on-line materials at http://www.unr.edu/grad/. Graduate School on-line materials include all application forms and instructions, the Graduate Catalogue, information about Graduate Research and Teaching Assistantships, and critical information for international students.

Admission criteria for the Graduate Program includes (1) University of Nevada Graduate School minimum standards, and (2) department-level evaluation of a student’s preparation.

Grade Point Average

The University of Nevada Graduate School requires a minimum incoming GPA of 2.75 from an accredited undergraduate institution for admission to Master’s programs.

The Graduate School will evaluate transcripts from institutions that are not accredited in the U.S. or that are based on grading systems that do not correspond to a 4-point standard, and calculate a GPA equivalence. This evaluation is done by the Graduate School and not at the Department level. Any questions should be directed to the Graduate School.

Once admitted, graduate students must maintain a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA during their graduate program. Failure to do so will result in the loss of any Graduate Research Assistantships or Graduate Teaching Assistantships as well as being placed on Academic Probation. Falling below a 3.0 for more than 2 semesters will result in dismissal from the Graduate School.

Application Process

All required admission application materials are found on the Graduate School web pages. These application materials are returned directly to the Graduate School. The only application materials that are sent directly to the Department of Resource Economics are (1) the application for Graduate Research Assistantship/Teaching Assistantship, and (2) letters of recommendation, and letters of intent that describe the prospective students’ research interests and background preparation.

Evaluation of Preparedness for Graduate Work in Economics

Success in the graduate program depends heavily on a student’s preparation. Experience indicates that at a minimum, a well-prepared in-coming student will have completed the following prior to starting their Master’s degree coursework:

• One, but preferably two semesters of calculus;
•  Two courses in statistics, one including regression or econometrics;
•  Intermediate, preferably advanced undergraduate microeconomics.

These guidelines are not designed to exclude prospective applicants; they are designed to ensure that students will have the tools they will need to succeed. Applicants with other disciplinary backgrounds are encouraged to apply. Through individual advisement, courses can be selected to fill in gaps in preparation.

A. Thesis Program Requirements

Students complete at least 24 credits of acceptable graduate courses plus six (6) thesis credits for a total of 30 credits. At least 18 credits (including the six thesis credits) in the program must be earned at the 700 level.

At least 21 of these credits must be earned in on-campus courses at the UNR. A thesis and comprehensive examination are required. The student will provide the department with an electronic copy of the final version of the thesis.

B. Non-Thesis Program Requirements

Students complete at least 32 credits of acceptable graduate courses, which include 3 professional paper credits. At least 15 credits (including the 3 professional paper credits) of the 32 total credits must be earned at the 700 level.

At least 23 credits must be earned in on-campus courses at UNR. The student will provide the department with an electronic copy of the professional paper.

Satisfactory progress in the MS program requires completion of four core courses (described below) by the end of the first year, and completion of remaining credits and requirements by the end of the second year. Students take 1.5 to 2 academic years to complete the program.

Core courses account for 12 credits of which from 6 to all 12 may be at the 700 level, depending on the options chosen (see core courses below). No more than six credit hours of Independent Study or Special Projects will count towards the total credit hours of course requirements.

Transfer Credits
Students may request to apply graduate credit earned at other accredited institutions toward their MS degree at the University of Nevada, Reno by filing a A Credit Transfer Evaluation Request Form, available online must be approved by the , available online. The student’s director of graduate studies and the graduate dean must approve the request. Only courses with a grade of "C" or better may be transferred to a master's program.

For master's degree programs, transferred credits must conform to the time limitation on master's work requiring completion within six (6) calendar years immediately preceding the granting of the degree. No more than nine (9) credits completed either prior to admission to a graduate program or transferred from another institution may be applied to a master's degree.

Masters students take 4 core courses (12 credits) plus elective courses consistent with their choice of thesis or non-thesis options. PhD core courses are accepted for the Master’s program core. All courses are selected in consultation with the Director of Graduate Studies or individual advisor, if assigned. As deemed beneficial by the Director of Graduate Studies, remedial undergraduate courses may be required.

Options for Masters’ students:

Two Microeconomic Theory courses:

Choose one from:

RECO 710 – PhD microeconomic Theory I or

ECON 702 – Microeconomic Theory

And one from:

RECO 720 – PhD Microeconomic Theory 2 or

ECON 640 – Mathematical Economics, or

ECON 703 – Macroeconomics

Two Econometric/Quantitative Methods Courses:

Choose two from:

RECO 714 – Econometrics I

RECO 715 – Econometrics II

ECON 772 – Applied Econometrics

RECO 670 – Econometrics

The Department Director of Graduate Studies serves as the temporary academic advisor to all graduate students. By the completion of twelve graduate credits, the student selects a permanent advisor to chair the student's advisory committee. The student and the permanent advisor arrange the appointment of the remaining members of the student's advisory committee. This committee, the advisor, and the department director of the graduate program together supervise the student's course of study.

NOTE: Students employed as Graduate Research Assistants (GRAs) have research supervisors associated with their employment. The GRA supervisor, who may be assigned upon entry to the program, is not the student’s academic advisor. While it may happen that a student will request that their GRA supervisor become their academic advisor, these are two different roles.

Advisory committees consist of at least three (3) members of the Graduate Faculty. Two (2) faculty members, not necessarily from the student's department, represent the student's area of specialization and one (1) faculty member is selected to serve as the Graduate School Representative. Students may request the appointment of a committee member from the faculty of another university or from a relevant discipline or profession, provided the prospective member has achieved a record of distinction. Formal approval of the student's advisory committee is made by the Graduate DeanThe Graduate Dean makes formal approval of the student’s advisory committee.

All advisory committee members are involved in the approval of the student's program of study, in the topic design of the thesis and in the conduct of thesis examinations.

All Graduate School forms, paperwork, and other correspondence regarding the academic progress of all PhD students must continue to be routed through the Department of Resource Economics Director of Graduate Studies, including after the selection of a permanent advisor.

A. Graduate School Requirements

Detailed information is available on-line at: Graduate Assistantships.

Teaching (TA) and research (RA) assistantships are offered through the students’ departments and are paid by either research grants or state funds. All graduate students holding an assistantship are considered Nevada residents for tuition purposes. Non-resident tuition is only waived for the duration of the assistantship.

Students interested in these positions must contact the department for specific requirements. A full time graduate assistantship (20 hours per week) along with a minimum of 6 credits of course work (9 credits for students on federal financial aid) is considered full time. While the Graduate School cannot monitor outside or additional employment for students on assistantships, such additional work is discouraged as it may impede academic success and timely progress towards degree completion. In some departments, acceptance of an assistantship is contingent upon agreeing to limited additional employment. The Graduate School is responsible for approval of graduate assistantships after a department has requested the initiation of a contract. Teaching assistants receive special teaching-skills training through the Graduate School.

All positions are contingent upon available funding.

To be eligible for an assistantship, the student must have an overall GPA of at least 3.0 and must be continuously enrolled in at least 6 graduate level credits throughout the duration of the assistantship. International students serving as Teaching Assistants must meet a minimum Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score of 550 (paper version), 213 (computer version) and pass the SPEAK Test with a score of 50.

B. Resource and Applied Economics Graduate Assistantships

Graduate Research Assistantships (RAs) and Graduate Teaching Assistantships (TAs) are available through the Department of Resource Economics. The number of these positions is limited. The first priority for allocation of these funds is to continuing funded students who are making satisfactory progress in their academic work and in prior GRA and GTA positions. Any additional positions are allocated to in-coming students on the basis of their likelihood of successful completion of the graduate program, and on level of preparation upon entry to the program. Students who enter the program and are denied funding are in the pool to be considered for funding in each subsequent year.

Dr. Kim Rollins, Associate Professor, Program Director
Phone: (775) 673-1677
e-mail: krollins@cabnr.unr.edu
Office: 220a Max Fleischmann Ag Bldg, UNR Campus
 
1664 North Virginia Street
Mail Stop 204
Reno, Nevada 89557

 

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