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Guide to Master's Degree

How to Get a Master's Degree in Agriculture

While agriculture has evolved to become a complex system, its essence--food production--remains basic to human survival. Professionals with a master's degree in agriculture are needed in order to ensure a continuous, healthy, and sustainable food supply for the U.S. population and internationally.
Is an MS in agriculture right for you? The degree can be a good fit for:

If you choose to earn a master's degree, you need to sort through the possible career paths and degree options to identify the programs that best meet your interests and career goals. Follow this step-by-step guide to navigate through the process and reach your educational objectives.

Overview of the Master's Degree in Agriculture

The study of agriculture in the U.S. is deeply rooted in American history. Its origins lie in the Civil War, when Abraham Lincoln signed into law the Morrill Act of 1862. The Act established land grants for colleges in each state to provide training in agriculture, mechanics, and other practical professions.

Many agriculture programs today trace their origins to those land grants. Now, as agriculture and food systems have become highly complex, opportunities for campus and distance graduate education in agriculture are diverse and abundant. Highly trained professionals are increasingly sought to bring expertise to the business, economic, political, environmental, and scientific dimensions of agriculture and food production.

In fact, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that employment of agricultural and food scientists will grow, as the U.S. strives to feed a growing population and address the increasing awareness about the health and environmental effects of food and food production.

Specializations for a Master's Degree in Agriculture

Specializations in the field of agriculture reflect the complexity of agricultural systems and food production. Through a campus or online master's degree in agriculture, you could choose to specialize in one of many areas, including:

Degree Options for an MS in Agriculture

At a master's level, most graduate schools in agriculture confer the title of Master of Science (MS). Some schools offer a Master of Professional Studies (MPS), but there is little distinction between an MPS and an MS; while an MPS is specifically geared toward practitioners, the majority of MS degrees are, as well.

Several schools also offer joint degree programs in which you can pursue an agriculture master's degree in conjunction with a public health, business, or law degree, among other options.

What You Can Do with an MS in Agriculture

Professionals who complete an MS in agriculture pursue careers with local, state, and federal governments, non-profit and advocacy organizations, policy think tanks, international development agencies, corporations, and more.

Once you earn a master's degree, you might:

For help finding the career that's right for you, visit WorldWideLearn.com's Career Pathways Guide.

Researching and Applying to Graduate Schools in Agriculture

If a master's degree in agriculture is in your future, these steps can help you navigate through the process of identifying your needs, researching schools, and applying to the programs of your choice.

STEP ONE: Choose a Format: Campus or Online Master's Degree in Agriculture

Agriculture master's degrees are available both on campus and through online grad schools. You can significantly narrow your options if you first decide which format best meets your needs.
An online graduate degree in agriculture can be a good fit if you are working in the field and wish to balance your education with a career. Online education is usually offered in a flexible format, and often has the advantage of connecting students with practicing professionals who can lend real-world experience to virtual classroom discussions. Students who are most successful in an online agriculture master's degree program are independent learners, well organized, and proficient in computer technology.
Campus programs, on the other hand, offer a traditional education that often best prepares students to obtain a doctorate and pursue careers in academia as teachers and researchers. For students who learn best through face-to-face interaction and hands-on instruction, campus education can be a superior format.
If you have any doubt about whether to earn a master's degree online or on campus, take WorldWideLearn.com's self-assessment to find out which format would best suit your learning style.

STEP TWO: Find the Right Campus or Online Master's Degree Program

1. Identify Your Goals and Educational Needs
Take the time to think through your personal objectives for obtaining a master's degree in agriculture.

If you would like to develop youth education programs, for example, you should look for a program substantially different from someone seeking a career in biotechnology research.

You may prefer a substantial amount of guidance from practicing professionals or career counselors in your campus or online master's degree in agriculture if you intend to shift careers from farming to agricultural education, for example. Conversely, if you are seeking an agriculture master's degree in order to apply food policy research to your current work as a nutritionist, consider practicum requirements that enable you to complete coursework through your present job.

How far are you willing to commute? How much money do you have available for a graduate program, or how much are you willing to borrow? Do you need to complete a degree in two years, or is it important for you to have a flexible academic schedule?

Answers to these questions, added to your decision whether to earn a master's degree online or on campus, can provide you with a list of your core requirements for an MS in agriculture.

2. Develop a List of Accredited Graduate Schools in Agriculture
Start your research by listing accredited master's programs in agriculture. Accreditation is a crucial criterion: It ensures the quality of your education and your eligibility for most financial aid.

3. Explore Academic Programs in Depth
Once you have compiled your list of programs, it is time to gather the details and consider how closely each program matches your needs and interests. Be sure to consider some of following elements when evaluating graduate degrees in agriculture.
Look for schools that offer the specialization you need. In a campus or online graduate degree program, you often work with one particular faculty member who helps guide your research. Evaluate whether faculty research interests match your own.
Several factors indicate the quality of a master's degree in agriculture:

Balance the program's cost against opportunities for grants and fellowships.
What are the admission requirements? Many agriculture master's degree programs require prerequisite courses in biology or general chemistry and minimum GPA and GRE scores.

Consider special resources the program offers, such as library holdings, student publications, fieldwork possibilities, and more. If you plan to earn a master's degree online, does the program offer interactive classrooms, video conferencing, web-based instruction, and other state-of-the-art instructional technologies?
Resources

are usually intended to attract potential students and often include extensive information about faculty expertise, research areas, curriculum requirements, admissions, and more.

can give you first-hand knowledge about the program, students, and faculty. If you decide to earn a master's degree online, consider asking a program representative to put you in touch with faculty and current students.

STEP THREE: Apply to Master's Degree Programs in Agriculture

If you have chosen your top programs, you are now ready to apply. Give yourself ample time to take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) and any other required entrance exams; there can be a significant lag time between the date of the test and the date when results are mailed to schools.
1. Gather Application Materials
Following are common application requirements for master of science programs in agriculture.

2. Apply for Financial Aid
Apply as early as possible for financial aid. Be sure to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Results from this form determine your eligibility for aid.
Other possible sources of funding include:

which are often available to graduate students of campus programs. In exchange for working as a teaching, research, or professional assistant, students receive tuition breaks, such as full waivers.

which can come in the form of fellowships and scholarships. They are offered by federal agencies, schools, and external programs.

which can be obtained through federal and state agencies and your educational institution as well as through some corporations.

STEP FOUR: Prepare for Your Master's Degree in Agriculture

Graduate study differs from undergraduate work in its emphasis on individualized study and the need for personal enterprise. You can increase your chance of success in your agriculture master's degree program if you take some steps to prepare yourself for graduate school.
Build your proficiency in the field by:

In addition to familiarizing you with current research, journals can give you an index of important scholars in the field of agriculture. Publications include the NACTA Journal, Journal of Agronomic Education, Journal of Forestry, and Journal of Agricultural Education.

There are many to choose from, whether your specialty is sustainable agriculture, food safety, or biotechnology.

Most specializations in the field of agriculture have a related association, such as the American Association for Agricultural Education, American Society of Agronomy, American Society of Animal Science, Crop Science Society of America, Institute of Food Technologists, and Soil Science Society of America.

Finally, consider the career you wish to have as an agricultural expert. Having a clear career vision can help you focus your studies in graduate school and can give you the incentive you need to complete your program and obtain mastery in the vital field of agriculture.

Sources

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Virginia College

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Strayer University

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AIU Online

American InterContinental University Online's flexible curriculum allows you to study when and where it's most convenient. Earn your degree at an accelerated pace from an accredited school that is respected by employers.

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