DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS HONORS PROGRAM
The Department of Agricultural Economics Honors Program at Texas A&M University offers an enhanced learning experience to qualified, academically-talented, and motivated students. In addition to developing at the professional level, students in the AGEC 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, and will complete at least eighteen hours of honors coursework within—and outside of—the Department of Agricultural Economics prior to graduation.
The AGEC Honors Program promotes a student’s effective entry into a fruitful and rewarding professional career. Through participation in innovative co-curricular and leadership activities, you will have the opportunity to develop the problem solving and critical thinking skills necessary for working in a global economy. As honors classes are restricted in size, you also have the opportunity to work closely with the renowned faculty at Texas A&M University as you engage in your independent research project.
PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS:
To qualify for admission to the Department of Agricultural Economics Honors Program, incoming freshman must meet Texas A&M University’s honors eligibility requirements with an overall score of 1310 or above on the SAT (minimum reading and writing score of 660 and minimum math score of 620) and a composite score of 28 or higher on the ACT (minimum scores of 27 on the verbal and math sections). Qualified incoming freshman will receive an invitation to the AGEC Honors Program upon accepting their admission to Texas A&M.
Transfer students interested in the AGEC Honors Program must have a 3.5 GPR or above, and will need to fill out an application indicating their interest in the program. This application can be obtained here. Admitted transfer students will enter the program on probation, and will be evaluated at the end of their first semester to ensure that their academic record indicates that they will be successful in the program.
In addition to satisfying the degree requirements for the B.S. in Agricultural Economics or B.S. in Agribusiness, honors students must complete the following requirements:
GPR
Participants in the Department of Agricultural Economics Honors Program must maintain a cumulative TAMU GPR of at least 3.50, a GPR in honors classes of at least 3.25, and no grade in an honors course below a ”C.”
HONORS COURSES (18 HOURS MINIMUM)
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 to 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 (see below).
Six (6) hours of honors course work outside the Department of Agricultural Economics. First Time Freshman Students who have completed an Associate degree before entering Texas A&M will be allowed to complete all Honors requirements with AGEC courses. All coursework to be used for Honors requirements must be Honors designated.
MATH
MATH 140 and MATH 142 are the minimum courses that will meet AGEC and AGBU degree requirements. MATH 151 is strongly suggested for those who are interested in pursuing graduate school; however, students are not required to take this course.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Students are required to attend two Professional Development events per semester (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). Qualifying events will be listed in the weekly AGEC Honors Newsletter, the HSC: Weekly Update sent from the Honors Student Council, or the Honors Weekly Bulletin sent from the Honors Office. Students also will have the option to submit outside events for approval to Donna Chester at dchester@tamu.edu.
Professional Development events are:
- Events where attendance is not mandated by any other office or program
- Events that inspire learning outside of the classroom
- Events where a professional speaker/expert in the field delivers a presentation that causes the student to learn new information that will expand their knowledge and/or alter their views or preconceived ideas
- Participation in the National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA) Marketing Team
- Professional development trips. This can include attending the Produce Marketing Association (PMA) Convention
- Participation in the Academic Quiz Bowl Competition
- The Wiley Lecture Series
- The University Distinguished Lecture Series
- Demonstrating leadership in a state or national organization (such as FFA, Beefmaster’s, etc.)
These events are not:
- Requirements of a class
- Requirements to maintain a scholarship
- Part of the regular duties as a member/officer of a student group
- Professional Development as it relates to pursuing a Career. For example: How to dress for an interview, learning how to interview/network/get a job. These events, in particular, are worthwhile for all students.
HONORS CONTRACT COURSES
Honors candidates may seek honors credit for a regularly scheduled non-honors AGEC course by submitting an Honors Course Contract Application.
HONORS CANDIDATES
An Honors candidate is a student who has a 3.5 cumulative GPR and has completed at least 9 hours of honors course work in residence at TAMU. Only Honors candidates are eligible for honors course contracts or honors independent study.
COURSE SUBSTITUTIONS FOR HONORS STUDENTS
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.
UNIVERSITY HONORS DISTINCTIONS
Honors students are encouraged to pursue additional distinctions at the university level, including Foundation Honors, University Honors, and the Undergraduate Research Fellows program. More information concerning university-level honors at Texas A&M
University can be obtained at: https://launch.tamu.edu/
CONTACT US!
If you are interested in obtaining more information concerning the Department of Agricultural Economics Honors Program or have questions, please contact Donna Chester at dchester@tamu or at 979-845-4911.