Nov 15, 2024  
2024-2025 Graduate Catalog 
    
2024-2025 Graduate Catalog

Agriculture, MS


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Program Description

Advanced interdisciplinary degree combining sub-specialty areas in agriculture including agricultural economic/business, agricultural education, agricultural communication, animal science, natural resources, and horticulture.

Admission Requirements

  1. Meet all Missouri State University Graduate College Admission Requirements .
  2. A bachelor’s degree in agriculturally relevant discipline from a college or university accredited by agencies recognized by Missouri State University;
  3. AND a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.75 on a 4.00 scale, OR at least a 2.75 grade point average on a 4.00 scale for the last 60 hours of academic course work; OR have a combined score of 290 (875 under the old scoring system before August 1, 2011) on the verbal and quantitative sections of the Graduate Record Examination; OR you may be admitted on a provisional basis and required to complete prerequisite courses before advancing through the agricultural sciences graduate program.
  4. Receive a positive evaluation from the Director of the Agriculture Graduate Committee that is dependent upon having an accepting advisor.
  5. Complete the Statement of Interest form indicating specialty areas.

International Students: Submit your score for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) of 79 on the internet-based test.

Follow these steps to apply to the Master of Science in Agricultural Sciences program:

  1. Complete and submit a Graduate Application.
  2. Pay the application fee
  3. Submit one copy of your official transcripts
  4. Complete the Statement of Interest form indicating specialty areas.

Admission Requirements for the Accelerated Master’s Option

To qualify for admission into the accelerated master’s program, you must meet these criteria:

  1. Hold junior or senior standing with at least 60 credit hours
  2. Have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25
  3. Complete a minimum of 25 credit hours of undergraduate hours relevant to the emphasis area (of animal sciences; agricultural business, education, or communications; or natural resources).
  4. Be accepted by an advisor who is a faculty member in the College of Agriculture who is a Missouri State Graduate Faculty Member.
  5. Receive approval by the coordinator of the Agricultural Sciences Graduate Program.

Accelerated Master’s Degree Option

Once admitted into the accelerated master’s program, one may take up to 12 credit hours in courses numbered 600 and above to receive both undergraduate and graduate credit. A mixed credit form listing the courses to satisfy both undergraduate and graduate requirements must be completed during the normal registration period for the semester. Please note that mixed credit form must be completed prior to the first week of classes.

Degree Requirements Credit Hours: 32


Note:


*Required for Agricultural Education Emphasis

Research Requirement - Credit Hours: 12


Thesis Option:


The Thesis option requires the completion of a research thesis supervised by the student’s advisory committee. The thesis shall be approved by the advisory committee and by the Graduate College before the degree is granted. A maximum of six hours of thesis credit can be applied toward the minimum hours required for the master’s degree. An oral defense of the thesis is required.

Non-Thesis Option:


The Non-Thesis option requires the completion of a minimum of one semester course which shall require an extensive research paper or creative work. The student’s advisory committee must approve the final research paper and complete a Seminar Report Form that is submitted to the academic department chosen as the major area of concentration and subsequently to the Graduate College for the approval of the Dean.

Graduate Internship Option:


The Graduate Internship option required the completion of 6 hours of Graduate Internship and other requirements as outlined by the Graduate Advisor for the Internship option.

Specialty Area Courses and Additional Elective Hours - Credit Hours: 11


Specialty Area: Agricultural Education


Comprehensive Examination


A written qualifying examination will be administered after most of the course work has been completed. This examination must be passed by the candidate before a degree will be given.

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