AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES

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The Master of Science in Agricultural Sciences degree is offered with two options, thesis or non-thesis.

Four concentrations are offered:

 

Candidates must have:

  • the equivalent of the bachelor's degree with a major in one of the Agricultural Sciences,
  • a minimum quality grade point average of 2.50 on a 4.00 point scale,
  • and a minimum score of 870 on the GRE (verbal and quantitative, or verbal, quantitative and subject), or 370 on the MAT for unconditional admission.

An applicant with a bachelor's degree in areas other than the Agricultural Sciences may be recommended  to the Graduate School for conditional admission and be required to take eighteen (18) credit hours of undergraduate prerequisite courses in the Agricultural disciplines:

  • 6 hours from Animal Science,
  • 6 hours from Plant Science,
  • and 6 hours from Agribusiness or Agricultural Education.

An applicant may also be recommended for conditional admission if he or she has a 2.25-2.49 GPA and a minimum pre-admission test score of 935 on the GRE or 383 on the MAT, or 2.00-2.24 GPA and a minimum pre-admission test score of 1000 on the GRE or 394 on the MAT.

The degree candidate must file a program of study after completing at least nine (9) semester hours of graduate credit, but before completing fifteen (15) hours of graduate credit. The program lists the courses which will be used to satisfy degree requirements, as well as detailing how other requirements will be met. The student may later change the program of study with the written approval of the Department and the Graduate School.

When the candidate files the program of study, he or she must also apply for admission to candidacy. The candidate must have a grade point average of 3.00 or above to be eligible for admission to candidacy.

Requirements for the concentrations:






In addition to completing core an elective courses, each student must pass Research Methods (AGSC 5110), must have a thesis guidance committee appointed, and must be advanced to candidacy before enrolling in Thesis Writing (AGSC 5120).

The candidate must submit a thesis on a topic approved by the major advisor. Upon completion of the thesis, the candidate must satisfactorily pass an oral examination conducted by the Thesis Examination Committee.

This option is for students who would like to focus on training in specialized areas to meet the needs of employers in agricultural product processing, marketing organizations, input supply firms, teaching, extension, and various state and federal government agencies. This program is not recommended for students who have any aspirations toward pursuing a Ph.D. or Ed.D. degree.

Students choosing the non-thesis option will be required to take a minimum of 35 hours of course work which will include AGSC 5350 Independent Study of Contemporary Issues and Problems.

Comprehensive Examination: Non-Thesis M.S. Program
Upon completion of AGSC 5350 and during the semester of graduation, students choosing the non-thesis option must take a comprehensive written and oral examination administered by the student's advisory committee and other faculty members representing appropriate subject matter areas. The student's major advisor will serve as chairperson of the committee conducting the examination.

If a student fails the comprehensive examination, one retake will be allowed. Should the student again fail, a third and final examination may be taken upon completion of additional course work (minimum of 6 hours) to be selected by the student's advisory committee.

 

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