Agriculture, General

Overview

General agriculture programs teach people the principles and practices of farming, ranching, and other agricultural occupations.

Agriculture programs include topics such as:

Animal husbandry and plant cultivation
Soil conservation
Land use and conservation
Agricultural business including accounting and finance

Concentrations

In agriculture programs, students may be able to specialize in:

International agriculture
Agricultural operations

Schools

Community colleges and other two-year schools offer associate degree programs in agriculture. An associate degree usually takes two years to complete. After earning an associate degree students can transfer to a college or university for further study.

Several colleges and universities offer bachelor's degrees in agriculture. A bachelor's degree usually takes about four years of full-time study.

Some universities offer graduate degrees in agriculture. A master's degree typically requires two years of study beyond a bachelor's degree. Doctoral (PhD) degree programs usually require two or more years of study beyond the master's degree.

See schools that offer this program.

Related Educational Programs

Related Careers

Careers Directly Related to this Program of Study

Other Careers Related to this Program of Study

Program Admission

You can prepare for this program by taking courses in high school that prepare you for college. This typically includes four years of English, three years of math, three years of social studies, and two years of science. Some colleges also require two years of a second language.

Below is a list of high school courses that will help prepare you for this program of study:

Agriculture Science
Agriculture Work Experience
Algebra
Biology
Chemistry
Probability and Statistics

Graduate Admissions

Admission to master's degree programs is competitive. You need a bachelor's degree and good grades. You also need to submit letters of recommendation and a statement of purpose.

Additional requirements at some schools include:

Graduate Record Exam (GRE) General
Related work or volunteer experience

Although it's helpful to have a bachelor's degree in agriculture, many graduate programs consider applicants who majored in a related field such as biology, geology, or horticulture.

Typical Course Work

Program Courses

In this undergraduate program, you typically take courses such as the following:

Agribusiness
Agricultural Economics
Agricultural Power and Machinery
Agricultural Records and Analysis
Agricultural Safety and Health
Agricultural Sciences
Agricultural Systems Management
Animal Health and Disease Control
Animal Science
Applied Weed Science
Computer Applications in Agriculture
Crop Management
Entomology
Farm Machinery
Feeds and Feeding
Fruit and Vegetable Production
Genetics
Land Use and Conservation
Plant Science and Pathology
Soil Science
Statistics
Survey of Agriculture

Graduate Program Courses

Graduate course work tends to vary depending on the program. However, the outline of a typical master's degree curriculum looks like the following:

Required core courses
Elective courses
Thesis and thesis defense

Some programs - both undergraduate and graduate – incorporate cooperative education in their curriculums. This allows you to learn not just from your courses but also from real-world work experience in agriculture.

Your program typically works closely with you to match your interests in agriculture with an appropriate agricultural organization. For example, if you were interested in agricultural policy, you might help a government agency with research on different farming practices in different states. If you were interested in animal husbandry, you might work on a farm and help tend the livestock. If you had a business savvy side, you might help with the financial team on a ranch. These are just a few of the possibilities!

Moreover, you get course credit, make valuable professional contacts, and develop your understanding of agriculture by seeing its applications in real-life settings. You also benefit from the guidance and direct supervision of an experienced agricultural professional.

Things to Know

If your school does not offer course credit for internships or cooperative education, you should still seek one out on your own. Many employers prefer applicants with volunteer or work experience in the field. In addition, your internship supervisor may serve as a reference for your future job applications.

For information about farm occupations, opportunities, and 4-H activities in your area, contact your local county extension service office.

If you're interested in studying agriculture at an international scope, you should also take courses in a second language, international relations, and geography.