Agricultural & Consumer Economics: Farm Management, BS
Overview
for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Agricultural & Consumer Economics, Farm Management Concentration
Students in Farm Management study the principles of economics, finance, risk and the decision-making process - all central to the successful management of a farm enterprise. Students develop skills to combine and manage land, labor, and capital resources for a competitive return. Also, students may learn how to appraise farmland and other assets. Farm (and other asset) appraisal is a growing part of professional farm management and can be pursued as a profession in itself.
Degree Requirements
for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Agricultural & Consumer Economics, Farm Management Concentration
Graduation Requirements
Minimum hours required for graduation: 126 hours.
University Requirements
Minimum of 40 hours of upper-division coursework, generally at the 300 and 400 level. These hours can be drawn from all elements of the degree. Students should consult their academic advisor for additional guidance in fulfilling this requirement.
The university and residency requirements can be found in the Student Code (§ 3-801) and in the Academic Catalog.
General Education Requirements
Follows the campus General Education (Gen Ed) requirements. Some Gen Ed requirements may be met by courses required and/or electives in the program.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Composition I | 4-6 | |
| Advanced Composition | 3 | |
| Humanities & the Arts (6 hours) | 6 | |
| Natural Sciences & Technology (6 hours) | 6 | |
| Social & Behavioral Sciences (6 hours) | 6 | |
| Cultural Studies: Non-Western Cultures (1 course) | 3 | |
| Cultural Studies: U.S. Minority Cultures (1 course) | 3 | |
| Cultural Studies: Western/Comparative Cultures (1 course) | 3 | |
| Quantitative Reasoning (2 courses, at least one course must be Quantitative Reasoning I) | 6-8 | |
| Language Requirement (Completion of the third semester or equivalent of a language other than English is required) | 0-15 | |
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Department Foundation | ||
| ACE 123 | Introduction to ACE | 2 |
| ACE 100 | Introduction to Applied Microeconomics | 4 |
| ECON 103 | Macroeconomic Principles | 3 |
| ACE 161 | Computer Concepts & Applications | 3 |
| or CS 105 | Intro Computing: Non-Tech | |
| Calculus Option - Select one of the following: | 4 | |
| Calculus | ||
| Calculus I | ||
| Calculus for Business I | ||
| ACCY 201 | Accounting and Accountancy I | 3 |
| ACE 262 | Applied Statistical Methods and Data Analytics I | 3 |
| ACE 264 | Applied Statistical Methods & Data Analytics 2 | 3 |
| Communication Option | 3 or 6 | |
| Public Speaking | ||
| Let’s Talk about Food, Agriculture, and the Environment | ||
| Oral & Written Comm I and Oral & Written Comm II | ||
| Minimum of 6 additional hours of Social & Behavioral Sciences | 6 | |
| ACE 341 | Careers and Professionalism | 1 or 2 |
| ACE 300 | Intermediate Applied Microeconomics | 3 |
| ACE International Course or Study Abroad Experience Option - Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Environment and Development | ||
| Global Agribusiness Management | ||
| International Business Immersion | ||
| Agriculture in Intl Dev | ||
| The Latin American Economies | ||
| International Trade in Food and Agriculture | ||
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Farm Management Concentration | 23 | |
| ACE 222 | Agricultural Marketing | 3 |
| ACE 231 | Food and Agribusiness Mgt | 3 |
| ACE 232 | Farm Management | 3 |
| ACE 345 | Small Business Finance | 3 |
| ACE 360 | Spreadsheet Models and Applications | 2 |
| ACE 428 | Commodity Futures and Options | 3 |
| ACE 432 | Advanced Farm Management | 3 |
| ACE 444 | Financial Services & Investing Planning | 3 |
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum hours in the College of ACES, 20 of which must be in the Department of ACE | 35 | |
| Total Hours | 126 | |
Sample Sequence
for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Agricultural & Consumer Economics, Farm Management Concentration
This sample sequence is intended to be used only as a guide for degree completion. All students should work individually with their academic advisors to decide the actual course selection and sequence that works best for them based on their academic preparation and goals. Enrichment programming such as study abroad, minors, internships, and so on may impact the structure of this four-year plan. Course availability is not guaranteed during the semester indicated in the sample sequence.
Students must fulfill their Language Other Than English requirement by successfully completing a third level of a language other than English. The introduction to applied microeconomics and macroeconomics courses do not count toward the social science general education requirement. Students must take 6 hours above and beyond these two courses to meet the social and behavioral sciences requirement. For more information, see the corresponding section on the Degree and General Education Requirements page.
First Year
| Requirements | Hours |
|---|---|
| ACE 100 - Introduction to Applied Microeconomics | 4 |
| ACE 123 - Introduction to ACE | 2 |
| Calculus Option | 4 |
| Communication Option or Composition I | 3 |
| Language Other Than English (3rd level) | 4 |
| Semester Hours | 17 |
| Requirements | Hours |
|---|---|
| ACE 161 - Computer Concepts & Applications or CS 105 - Intro Computing: Non-Tech | 3 |
| Composition I or Communication Option | 4 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| ECON 103 - Macroeconomic Principles | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| Semester Hours | 16 |
Second Year
| Requirements | Hours |
|---|---|
| ACCY 201 - Accounting and Accountancy I | 3 |
| ACE 222 - Agricultural Marketing | 3 |
| ACE 262 - Applied Statistical Methods and Data Analytics I | 3 |
| ACE 341 - Careers and Professionalism | 1 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| Semester Hours | 16 |
| Requirements | Hours |
|---|---|
| ACE 264 - Applied Statistical Methods & Data Analytics 2 | 3 |
| ACE 232 - Farm Management | 3 |
| ACE 231 - Food and Agribusiness Mgt | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| Semester Hours | 15 |
Third Year
| Requirements | Hours |
|---|---|
| ACE 345 - Small Business Finance | 3 |
| ACE 428 - Commodity Futures and Options | 3 |
| NRES 201 - Introductory Soils | 4 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| Semester Hours | 16 |
| Requirements | Hours |
|---|---|
| ACE 360 - Spreadsheet Models and Applications | 2 |
| ACE 300 - Intermediate Applied Microeconomics | 3 |
| ACE International course or Study Abroad Experience Option | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 2 |
| Free Elective course | 3 |
| Semester Hours | 16 |
Fourth Year
| Requirements | Hours |
|---|---|
| ACE 432 - Advanced Farm Management | 3 |
| ACE 444 - Financial Services & Investing Planning | 3 |
| ACE or ACES Elective course | 3 |
| Free Elective course | 3 |
| General Education course | 3 |
| Semester Hours | 15 |
| Requirements | Hours |
|---|---|
| ACE or ACES Elective course | 4 |
| General Education course | 4 |
| Free Elective course | 4 |
| Free Elective course or 400-level ACE Elective course | 3 |
| Semester Hours | 15 |
Total Hours
Total hours for all requirements: 126
Learning Outcomes
for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Agricultural & Consumer Economics, Farm Management Concentration
- ACE students will acquire broad and deep knowledge of Agricultural and Consumer Economics.
- ACE students will develop a critical and reflective orientation toward global systems (such as natural, environmental, social, cultural, economic, and political) and cultural differences (such as race, indigeneity, gender, class, sexuality, language, and disability).
- ACE students will develop critical thinking and problem solving skills.
- ACE students will develop their ability to communicate in a variety of settings.
- ACE students will build and sustain productive relationships to be effective leaders who can respond to civic and social challenges at local, national, and global levels, creating positive change in their communities.
- Farm Management students will study the business, economics, and finance of commercial agriculture. Learn the complexities of managing a business, cost concepts, economies of scale, budgeting, financial statements, crop insurance, agricultural real estate, agricultural credit, and farmland as an investment.
Contact Information
for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Agricultural & Consumer Economics, Farm Management Concentration
Agricultural Consumer Economics
Agricultural Consumer Economics website
326 Mumford Hall
1301 W. Gregory Drive
Urbana, IL 61801
217-333-1810
ace-aces@illinois.edu
College of Agricultural, Consumer & Environmental Sciences
Office of Academic Programs
128 Mumford Hall
1301 West Gregory Drive
Urbana, IL 61801
217-333-3380
aces-academics@illinois.edu
Advising
ACE Advising Website
217-333-1810
aces-academics@illinois.edu
Admissions
ACES Undergraduate Admissions
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Undergrad Admissions
217-333-3380
visitACES@illinois.edu