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Agricultural & Resource Economics (ARE)
 West Virginia's economy is based on natural resources, such as coal and timber, processing of raw materials, manufacturing, energy, and tourism and recreation. The latter is growing rapidly and also utilizes the states resources: its forests, streams, hills, and historic sites. The research of the ARE faculty deals with conflicts that often arise when the same resources serve different purposes, and tries to find ways to enhance economic development, while preserving natural resources and amenities and protecting the environment.
This program offers two majors. The Agribusiness Management and Rural Deveopment major focuses on agricultural businesses, valued-added and consumer-driven agricultural businesses, and on rural businesses, in general. The Environmental and Natural Resource Economics major is for students interested in careers in natural resource management and policy.
Graduate degrees include a M.S. in Agricultural and Resource Economics and a Ph.D. in Resource Management and Sustainable Development. The Ph.D. degree has been renamend and revisions have been approved in November 2005. The description of the doctoral program is being updated to reflect the revisions and will soon be available.
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