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Program details and sample curriculum

The Food and Health Systems Economics major brings together economics expertise from both the food and the health system to prepare students for fulfilling careers in areas as diverse as public health to nutrition economics.

Students in this major learn about animal and crop production, food processing, nutrition, as well as health as an integrated system. Students will graduate from this major prepared to address the complex and interrelated issues that link food and health, from obesity issues to unexpected pandemics.

Sample curriculum

TOTAL Credits = 120 credits 

  • Fall Semester: AAEC 1005, ENGL 1105, MATH 1025, Pathways 2 class, Pathways 4 class = 15 credits
  • Spring Semester: AAEC 1006, AAEC 2434, ENGL 1106, Pathways 4 class, Pathways 2 class = 15 credits
  • Fall Semester: AAEC 3015 (1 credit), ACIS 2115, COMM 2004, Pathways 6-Design class, Pathways 7 class, Pathways 6-Arts class = 16 credits
  • Spring Semester: AAEC 3004, APSC 1454, Pathways 5F class, FST 2014, Minor/Area of Specialization class = 14 credits
  • Fall Semester: STAT 3615, AAEC 3504, HNFE 1004, PHS 2004, Minor/Area of Specialization = 15 credits
  • Spring Semester: AAEC 3014, AAEC 3424, AAEC 4504, SPES 2244 (formally CSES/HORT 3444), Minor/Area of Specialization = 15 credits
  • Fall Semester: ENGL 3774, ECON 4214, Minor/Area of Specialization, Choose one: APSC/DASC 3134, CSES 2244, FST 2244, HNFE/FST 2544, or PHS 3014, Choose One: AAEC 4414, AAEC 4404 or PHS 4054 = 15 credits
  • Spring Semester: AAEC 4814, AAEC 3024, Choose one: AAEC 2424, AAEC 3314, AAEC 3604, AAEC 3454 or ACIS 1504, Minor/Area of Specialization, Minor/Area of Specialization = 15 credits

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You will learn the following key skill set from this major

Economic analysis and impact assessment of factors and policies from the farm to the consumer to the medical field

Potential careers

  1. Ag and food business analyst
  2. Food, health, or development economist
  3. Public health official
  4. Policy analyst
  5. Government representative

A highlight of companies who hire our graduates

  • American Farm Bureau Federation
  • CropLife America
  • Delta Air Lines
  • Department of Labor
  • Harvard University
  • Georgetown University
  • IBM
  • John Deere Company
  • Johnson & Johnson
  • KPMG
  • National Corn Growers Association
  • Norfolk Southern
  • Northrop Grumman
  • Syngenta
  • U.S. Government, and more...