Completion of the Ph.D. in at generally signifies a mastery of advanced microeconomic theory and quantitative methods, with a particular expertise in either agricultural economics or natural resource and environmental economics. 

Ph.D. graduates are experts in applied economics and are trained to develop and execute innovative research programs, teach undergraduate and graduate level economics courses, and present theoretical and applied economic concepts and results to a wide variety of audiences. Graduates of this program have gone on to succeed in a variety of positions at universities, in the public institution sector (e.g. USDA, ERS), and private enterprises including consulting firms.