Skip to main content

Doctor of Economic Development (DED)

NMSU is the first university in the country to offer this program. The Doctor of Economic Development (DED) is a professional degree primarily intended to provide advanced applied training for economic development professionals (rather than academic economists), and can be seen as the link between academic research in economic development and real world economic development problems.


Economic development is a complex process. Its study and practice draws on a wide variety of academic knowledge and experience. DED graduates will be prepared to navigate the world between the theoretical and analytical world of academic economics and the very practical problems of economic development at all levels.

Recognizing the diversity of subjects and experience and knowledge useful to economic developers, DED students will enter the program from a variety of backgrounds. All DED students share a common core of training in economics and economic development followed by the opportunity to select elective courses and specialties reflecting their particular interests and goals. All graduates complete an internship and a major written research project.

Apply Now

This brief history is an excerpt from the program proposal for the Doctor of Economic Development (DED) at New Mexico State University authored by Lowell B. Catlett, James D. Libbon, James T. Peach, and Richard V. Adkisson (2005).

Contact Information

DED Director/Coordinator:  Winnie Lee
Email: wlin@nmsu.edu
Phone Number:   (575)-646-4662

Application Deadline

 decisions are typically announced in April.

Admission is competitive and space in the program is limited. Unfortunately, in some cases this will mean that qualified applicants are not admitted to the program. Qualified applicants who are not admitted may reapply. Note that meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee admission to the program. In some cases an interview with the DED Admissions Committee will be required. Applicants should understand that this is not a distance education program.

ContactDr. Winnie Lee, DED Program Director.
This program is offered jointly by the College of Business Department of Economics, Applied Statistics and International Business (EASIB) and the Agricultural Economics and Agricultural Business and Extension Economics Department (AEAB), College of Agriculture, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES)
Flexible Delivery. The DED program includes both full-time students and part-time professionals working in the region. Course schedules and delivery methods vary depending on the mix of students in a given semester, but all courses have a significant face-to-face component where professors and students interact 
Department Information
Business Complex
Room 234
Phone: 575.646.7211
Admin: Patti Benzie
E-mail: pbenzie@nmsu.edu
Mailing Address
College of Business
Economics, Applied Statistics & International Business Department
ATTN: Individual’s name
MSC 3CQ, PO Box 30001
New Mexico State University
Las Cruces, NM 88003-8001
Shipping Address
College of Business
Economics, Applied Statistics & International Business Department
Business Complex, Room 234
1320 East University Ave.
New Mexico State University
Las Cruces, NM 88003-8001