The Department of Agricultural Economics & Agribusiness offers the M.S. degree in three areas of study – Agribusiness Management, Natural Resource and Environmental Policy, and Agricultural Economics (Tables 1 - 3 in the Graduate Student Handbook). All areas of study offer a thesis (research) and non-thesis option.The non-thesis option for the M.S. degree provides students with an opportunity for extensive training in a rigorous academic environment, providing a suitable background for employment in the private or public sector. <br><br>All areas of study in the M.S. non-thesis option require 36 semester hours of course work, at least 18 of which must be in courses numbered 7000 and above. Research assistantships are not awarded to students in the non-thesis option.