Why study this program?
The Department of Resource Economics and Environmental Sociology offers graduate programs leading to the Master of Agriculture in Agricultural and Resource Economics/Rural Sociology, Master of Science in Agricultural and Resource Economics, Forest Economics, Rural Sociology, and Risk and Community Resilience, and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in Agricultural and Resource Economics, Forest Economics, and Rural Sociology. A joint program leading to dual degrees of Master of Business Administration and Master of Agriculture is also offered. Areas of emphasis in graduate programs include: the economics of agricultural markets and price behavior; production economics and agricultural business management; economics of agricultural and rural development; economics of policy intervention; environmental and natural resource economics, forest economics, rural sociology, environmental and resource sociology, community-based resource management, indigenous knowledge systems, resource policy analysis, and agroforestry. Department program guidelines are contained in the REES Graduate Studies Handbook.
Entrance Requirements
For master’s programs, the Department’s minimum admission requirements are an undergraduate degree with an admission GPA of at least 3.0 on the 4-point scale from the University of Alberta, or an equivalent qualification and standing from a recognized institution. The admission GPA will be calculated on the last 60 units of graded coursework completed, or on the equivalent of the last two years of full-time graded coursework.
For doctoral programs, the Department’s minimum admission requirements are an approved master’s degree with an admission GPA of at least 3.3 on the 4-point scale from the University of Alberta, or an equivalent qualification and standing from a recognized institution. The admission GPA will be calculated on the last 60 units of graded coursework completed, or on the equivalent of the last two years of full-time graded coursework.
Where applicable, applicants must meet the minimum English Language Requirement.
Applicants to the PhD program are required to submit a test score for a Graduate Record Examination (verbal, quantitative, and analytical sections).
Applicants to the MAg/MBA program are required to submit a test score for a Graduate Management Admission Test.
Applicants are also required to submit a CV, statement of interests, and three letters of reference.
Students are required to complete a minimum of 18 units in coursework and a thesis.
Coursework
- Six 3-unit courses approved by the department
- Students in agriculture and resource economics are required to take microeconomic theory, applied economics and econometrics.
- Students in environmental and rural sociology are required to take courses in sociological theory, qualitative methods and quantitative methods.
- Students in risk and community resilience are required to take qualitative methods and quantitative methods.
- Four 3-unit courses must be at the graduate level
Professional Development and Ethics Requirements
Students are expected to participate in department and University professional development and ethics activities to comply with the University requirement of 8 hours of professional development and 8 hours of ethics activities. Students are also expected to participate in the department seminar series.
Courses
Graduate courses can be found in Course Listings, under the following subject headings:
Agricultural and Resource Economics (AREC)
Forest Economics (FOREC)
Interdisciplinary (INT D)
Rural Sociology (R SOC)
The Department automatically considers all applicants for graduate teaching and research assistantships. To ensure consideration the candidate’s application and supporting documents must be received by the Department before February 15. Applications received after that date will be considered for assistantships only if funds are still available. Details of scholarships and other sources of financial assistance are included on the GPS website at www.gradstudies.ualberta.ca
For general information, please visit the Tuition and Fees page on the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research site.The Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research administers over $29 million each year in scholarships, awards, and financial support for graduate students, as well as financial and loan advising. Additional scholarships are also available for specific faculties and programs.
Please refer to the detailed program information or email grad.ales@ualberta.ca.
General inquiriesPlease check out some of our most frequently asked questions (FAQS) to see if your question has been answered, or contact the Faculty of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies (GPS) during our office hours.
Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research (FGSR)
Killam Centre for Advanced Studies
2-29 Triffo Hall
University of Alberta
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 2E1