The Master of Agriculture is a professional degree with an industrial orientation. A student, according to individual objectives, may obtain intensive training encompassing a wide spectrum of subject matter area or intensive training in a specialized area. The program emphasizes the development of professional skills in the communication of technical knowledge and its application to the solution of current and future technical, economic, and social problems of individuals and groups.
The head of the department or program chair appoints a three-member committee to guide and monitor the candidate's professional development. Members of this committee must represent at least two departments. The chair of the appointed committee serves as the candidate's adviser. The candidate will inform the committee of personal aspirations and background early in the program. The committee will suggest to the student how best to achieve these goals and the standard of professional competence required for the Master of Agriculture degree.
A minimum of 30 graduate credits is required, of which 18 credits must be at the 500 level or above. A maximum of 10 credits may be earned in special problem-type courses.
Students in the Master of Agriculture degree program can major in Agricultural Economics, Agronomy, Animal Science, Forest Resources, Horticulture, Plant Pathology, Rural Sociology, Soil Science, or Wildlife and Fisheries Science.
The candidate must present an acceptable paper on a selected professional problem or a report of internship training. Up to 3 graduate credits will be given for an acceptable paper. The candidate may be required to provide one or more copies of the paper for the University.
The candidate's committee shall report, through the department head or program chair, to the Office of Graduate Enrollment Services the title of the paper and that a draft of the work has been submitted by the published draft deadline for the semester. The department or program is responsible for ensuring that the work is finalized by the published deadline for the semester.