The Department of Agricultural Economics Honors Program offers an enhanced learning experience to qualified, academically-talented and motivated students. In addition to developing at the professional level, students in the Honors Program have the opportunity to enrich their education through scholastically-challenging curriculum and an inquiry-based learning process. Honors students are encouraged to compete for the prestigious Rhodes, Marshall and Fulbright scholarships. Honors students are encouraged to pursue additional distinctions at the university level. As an honors student, you’ll have the opportunity to:
- Participate in innovative co-curricular and leadership activities
- Develop problem solving and critical thinking skills for working in a global economy
- Work closely with the renowned faculty on an independent research project
- Complete at least eighteen hours of honors coursework prior to graduation
Entrance and Program Requirements
To enroll in the Agricultural Economics Honors Program, students must meet Texas A&M University Honors eligibility requirements and enroll in AGEC 105H or AGEC 217H.
Students are Honors-Eligible as entering freshmen if they meet objective class rank and test score minimums (see Student Rule 16). To be considered eligible, first-semester students must have graduated in the top 10% of their high school class and have an SAT composite score of at least 1360 (reading/writing + math, with minimums of 660 and 620, respectively) for tests taken in April 2016 and forward or a composite 28 on the ACT (minimum score of 27 each on verbal and math).
Freshman Honors-Eligible students may register for available seats in Honors sections after the last New Student Conference (the week before freshman classes begin).
Continuing students are Honors-eligible if they earn a cumulative GPR of 3.5 or better. Continuing Honors-Eligible students may register for Honors courses during their regularly scheduled registration time.
Maintaining a GPR
In addition to satisfying the degree requirements for the B.S. in Agricultural Economics or B.S. in Agribusiness, participants in the Agricultural Economics Honors Program must maintain a cumulative Texas A&M University GPR of at least a 3.50 and a GPR in honors classes of at least 3.25 and no grade in an honors course below a “C”.
Honors Courses
- AGEC 105H or AGEC 217H (3 hours): Introduction to Agricultural Economics or Fundamentals of Agricultural Economics Analysis
- AGEC 317H (3 hours): Economic Analysis for Agribusiness and Management
- AGEC 429H (3 hours): Agricultural Policy
- AGEC 491H (3-6 hours): Research
- Students must submit a research statement and advisor authorization form at least one month prior to registering for 491H. Enrollment in 491H is available only to honors candidates.
- Three (3) hours of honors coursework inside the Department of Agricultural Economics
- Three (3) hours of additional honors credits: These may be taken outside the department, within the department, as a second semester
MATH 140 and MATH 142 are the minimum courses that will meet AGEC and AGBU degree requirements.
Course Substitutions
Honors students are expected to seek out the classes that provide the best education to meet their academic goals. With this in mind, students are encouraged to evaluate the course requirements of the Agricultural Economics or Agribusiness curriculum and request substitutions if desired (substitutions will be subject to approval).
Honors Contract Courses
Honors candidates may seek honors credit for a regularly scheduled, non-honors AGEC course by submitting an Honors Course Contract Application. Only honors candidates are eligible for honors course contracts or honors independent study.
Honors Candidates
An honors candidate is a student who has a 3.50 cumulative GPR and has completed at least 9 hours of honors coursework in residence at Texas A&M University. Only honors candidates are eligible for honors course contracts or honors independent study.
Professional Development
Students are required to attend two professional development events per semester (August-December and January-May). Transfer students will be required to complete three professional development events per semester in order to graduate with an equivalent experience to students who have been in the program since their freshman year. These out-of-classroom events include, but are not limited to:
- Participation in the National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA) Marketing Team
- Professional development trips—Produce Marketing Association (PMA), etc.)
- Participation in the Academic Quiz Bowl Competition
- The Wiley Lecture Series
- The University Distinguished Lecture Series
- Demonstrating leadership in a State or National organization (FFA, Beefmaster’s, etc.)
- Internships*
- Participating in a study abroad*
*One regular semester (fall or spring) counts for 2 events, two regular semesters count for 4 events.
Events that do not qualify are events that are:
- Requirements of a class
- Requirements to maintain a scholarship
- Part of the regular duties as a member/officer of a student group
- Professional development events relating to pursuing a career
University Honors Distinction
Honors students are encouraged to pursue additional distinctions at the university level, including the Foundation Honors, University Honors, and the University Undergraduate Research Fellows Programs.
