Department of Agricultural Economics

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Department of Agricultural Economics Honors Program

Why Honors?


SAEA HONORSThe Department of Agricultural Economics at Texas A&M University offers an honors program to qualified, academically talented, and highly motivated students. An honors student’s college experience is enriched by following a challenging curriculum, engaging in inquiry-based learning, and discovery. Honors students work closely with the renowned faculty at Texas A&M University, acquiring the discipline and skills to engage in independent research that can be particularly useful if planning to attend graduate or professional school. Since honors class sizes are usually small, students get an opportunity to develop the vital problem solving and critical thinking skills that are needed in the search for solutions to the myriad of problems facing the global community. Honors students are encouraged to compete for such prestigious scholarships as the Rhodes, Marshall, Goldwater, and the Fulbright. The honors program offers students an effective entry into a fruitful and rewarding professional career through participation in innovative co-curricular and leadership activities.

Welcome Aboard!


Entrance Requirements

To enroll in the AGEC honors program, students must meet TAMU honors eligibility requirements (see http://honors.tamu.edu) and enroll in AGEC 105H or AGEC 217H.

Requirements

In addition to satisfying the requirements for the Agricultural Economics or Agribusiness majors, honors students must satisfy the following requirements:

GPR

Participants in the Agricultural Economics Honors Program must maintain a cumulative TAMU GPR of at least 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 (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 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).
  • Three (3) hours of additional honors credits either outside the Department or inside the Department as a second semester of AGEC 491H or through an honors contract. If AGEC 105H and AGEC 217H are both taken, this would count toward satisfying this requirement.
  • Six (6) hours of honors course work outside the Department of Agricultural Economics.
  • Up to six (6) hours of honors credit can be obtained by satisfying University standards for honors credit on the AP or IB exams. The transfer of honors credits from another university will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Math requirements

Honors students must take Math 151 in place of Math 142. (If Math 151H is taken, this can be counted as three (3) hours of honors course work outside the Department.)

Attend three professional development events per academic year (September through August)

These out-of-classroom events include, but are not limited to:
  • Workshops and events offered by the Career Center
  • Participation in the National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA) Marketing Team
  • Professional development trips (Produce Marketing Association - PMA for example)
  • Participation in the Academic Quiz Bowl Competition
  • The Wiley Lecture Series
  • The University Distinguished Lecture Series
  • Showing leadership in a state or national organization (FFA, Beefmaster's, etc.)
  • Internships*
  • Participating in a study abroad*
  • *One semester counts for 2 events, two semesters for 3 events

Honors Contract Courses

Honors candidate 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 the Foundation Honors, University Honors, and the University Undergraduate Research Fellows program.