Welcome to the Department of Agricultural, Environmental, and Development Economics at Ohio State! Our dynamic majors — Agribusiness and Applied Economics (AAE) and Environment, Economy, Development, and Sustainability (EEDS) — empower students to tackle pressing global challenges. We foster a collaborative, student-centered environment enriched by dedicated faculty and tailored advising. Explore diverse minors, from Environmental Economics to Farm Management, to enhance your academic journey. Here, you’ll gain the skills and insights needed for a successful career while making impactful contributions to society. Join us to shape a sustainable future!
AEDE Majors
We offer two undergraduate majors - Agribusiness and Applied Economics (AAE) and Environment, Economy, Development and Sustainability (EEDS), the latter of which is offered in partnership with the School of Environment and Natural Resources. Those with an interest in majoring in AAE or EEDS will indicate their preference on their application to Ohio State.
Discover the exciting world of Agribusiness and Applied Economics (AAE) in the Department of Agricultural, Environmental, and Development Economics. The AAE major equips students with essential business and economic principles needed to thrive in managing, marketing, and financing agribusinesses and food-related organizations, from local businesses to major international corporations.
The AAE curriculum offers students the choice of specialized pathways in agribusiness, industry, and policy analysis that delve into the heart of today's challenges in food systems, agriculture, economic development, and the environment. These paths allow students to delve deeper into their passions while developing the skills needed to pursue their careers.
Providing students with cutting-edge knowledge and real-world experiences, AAE courses are taught by both world-class faculty members and industry professionals. Our core courses in accounting, finance, marketing, data analysis, economics, and strategic management build versatile and in-demand skills for careers in small businesses, large corporations, non-profit organizations, and government.
Unleash your potential and shape the future of our food systems, environment, and communities with a major in Agribusiness and Applied Economics!
This multi-disciplinary and cutting-edge degree program focuses on the human, economic and environmental dimensions of sustainability. It provides the core knowledge and skills students need to launch a career in the private, public or non-profit sectors. Students engage in an integrated set of coursework and rigorous training in sustainability to become agents of change. They can build on this foundation by choosing to specialize in one of four areas: Sustainability and Business, Environmental Economics and Policy Analysis, Community Development or International Development.
Since EEDS is a joint major between our department and the School of Environment and Natural Resources (SENR), students enrolled in the program take classes with faculty working in both areas. Additionally, students can take classes from a wealth of exceptional faculty in partner programs associated with the EEDS major, including the Fisher College of Business; Department of Food, Agricultural and Biological Engineering; City and Regional Planning; International Studies; Center for Resilience; John Glenn School of Public Affairs; and the President’s and Provost’s Council on Sustainability. Graduates receive a B.S. in Environment and Sustainability. Six months after graduation, 93.6% of graduates are employed or are attending graduate school. The average starting salary reported is $51,617.
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AEDE Minors
Ohio State undergraduate students who are majoring in a program other than AAE are permitted to minor in an AEDE program of study. Minors offered include the following:
The Agribusiness minor provides an understanding of business concepts important for effective agribusiness decision-making and an understanding of the role of economic constraints in the efficient operation of an agribusiness firm. Emphasis is placed on applying concepts and skills to the food system. Firms included in the food system are chemical companies, bio-engineering firms, farms, agricultural cooperatives, international commodity trading firms, and international food distribution and retailing companies. See the minor academic requirements and learn more about course options.
The EEDS minor offers students a multi-disciplinary program that focuses on the human, economic and environmental dimensions of sustainability – often referred to as people, planet and profit. Through enrollment in the EEDS minor, students learn sustainability concepts to complement their work in their major program of study. EEDS is a joint program between our department and the School of Environment and Natural Resources (SENR). Students enrolled in the minor take classes with faculty working in both areas. See the minor course requirements and learn more about course options. Agribusiness and Applied Economics majors can minor in EEDS.
The Environmental Economics minor provides students with an understanding of the application of economic principles to contemporary natural resource and environmental processes, problems, and policies. Relevant complementary principles in ecology, hydrology and thermodynamics are also emphasized. Students acquire a solid foundation in the theories and methods of natural resource economics and benefit-cost analysis for addressing issues such as soil and water conservation, pollution control policy, land use, environmental benefit estimation, and management of natural systems. See the minor curriculum sheet and learn more about course options.
The Farm Management minor provides students with an understanding of business management concepts important for effective farm-level decision-making and an opportunity to develop an array of skills needed to manage production, finance, marketing, and human resources. See the minor curriculum sheet and learn more about course options.
The International Economic Development minor provides students with an understanding of socio-economic development problems, processes and policies, primarily in developing countries. Students acquire international awareness and the skills necessary to understand the inter-relationships between population, food systems, the environment, culture, and global relationships involving trade, capital and commodity markets. See the minor curriculum sheet and learn more about course options.
Advising and Mentorship
Students majoring within our department benefit from having dedicated academic advisors at the departmental level. All of our major students are also connected with a dedicated faculty member who can provide guidance and mentorship. This allows students to connect with experts who understand their path of study in-depth and can connect them with opportunities and resources that will set them up for success at Ohio State and beyond.
Academic advisors guide students throughout their academic careers. We have one academic advisor dedicated to students majoring in our department. Below is a list of what they do:
- Assist with class scheduling
- Help with understanding degree requirements
- Oversee graduation-related information
- Provide assistance for academic difficulties
- Informs students about university resources
We encourage any current or prospective undergraduate students with questions to reach out to our academic advisor below.
Agribusiness and Applied Economics (AAE)
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Jamel Chamberlain Email: chamberlain.227@osu.edu Phone: 614-697-3086 |
To schedule an appointment, visit: https://www.go.osu.edu/jamelchamberlainmeeting
Environment, Economy, Development, and Sustainability (EEDS)
School of Environment and Natural Resources
To schedule an appointment, visit: https://www.go.osu.edu/eedsadvising
EEDS majors can find additional resources on the SENR advising website.