University of Mississippi

What you'll study

The programme combines advanced training in economic theory and econometrics with specialised coursework and original research in environmental economics and policy. Core graduate training typically includes advanced microeconomic theory, macroeconomic theory, and graduate econometrics, followed by field courses that emphasise applied microeconomic methods.

• Environmental economics topics: natural resource economics, valuation of environmental goods, cost–benefit analysis for environmental projects, non-market valuation (contingent valuation and choice experiments), and climate-change economics.
• Policy and regulation: economic instruments for environmental management (taxes, tradable permits), regulation and compliance, environmental law and institutional design, and policy evaluation methods.
• Empirical methods: panel data and longitudinal analysis, program evaluation, quasi-experimental methods, spatial econometrics and applied time-series techniques used in environmental and resource settings.
• Interdisciplinary work: opportunities to incorporate methods from ecology, geography, public policy and natural resource management; students often use geographic information systems (GIS), field survey techniques and paired ecological–economic datasets.

Students normally complete advanced coursework in the first years, take comprehensive or qualifying examinations, and move on to dissertation research under the supervision of faculty. The dissertation requires an original contribution to environmental economics or environmental policy, typically involving both theoretical framing and empirical analysis. Students may also gain teaching experience as graduate teaching assistants and pursue internships with government agencies or research organisations.

Entry requirements

Applicants are expected to hold a strong honours bachelor’s degree in economics or a closely related discipline, or a relevant master’s degree. Successful candidates typically demonstrate solid preparation in intermediate microeconomics and econometrics. Additional preparation in calculus, linear algebra and statistics is advantageous.

• Academic transcripts showing quantitative coursework and strong grades.
• Letters of recommendation that speak to research potential and quantitative ability.
• A statement of purpose outlining research interests in environmental economics and how the programme fits those goals; a research proposal is encouraged for applicants with a clear topic.
• A curriculum vitae detailing academic background, research experience, and any relevant fieldwork or work in environmental policy.
• Proof of English language proficiency for international applicants where required.

Admissions are competitive and research fit with departmental faculty is an important consideration. Financial support in the form of teaching or research assistantships is commonly available for admitted PhD students, subject to departmental policies and funding.

Career prospects

Graduates of the programme pursue a range of careers that draw on deep analytical and empirical skills in environmental economics and policy. Typical pathways include:

• Academic positions in universities and colleges, conducting research and teaching in environmental and resource economics.
• Research roles in government departments and agencies concerned with environmental regulation, natural resource management, and climate policy.
• Positions in international organisations and multilateral institutions that require policy analysis on environmental and development issues.
• Analyst and economist roles in environmental consultancies, think-tanks and NGOs conducting valuation studies, impact assessments and policy evaluation.
• Private sector roles in industries with environmental compliance needs or in firms offering environmental risk assessment and sustainability services.

Why study at University of Mississippi

The University of Mississippi offers PhD students a focused research environment with access to faculty trained in applied microeconomics and econometrics, and opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration across policy, geography and natural sciences. Its location provides proximity to a range of environmental settings—coastal systems, riverine and Delta landscapes—that support applied field research and partnerships with state agencies and local stakeholders.

Doctoral students benefit from a combination of methodological training and applied project opportunities, access to computing resources and data, and a departmental culture that emphasises close mentorship during dissertation research. The programme is well suited to candidates who want rigorous theoretical and empirical grounding while working on real-world environmental policy problems.