Course profile: Online Masters in Agriculture and Life Science, Virginia Tech College

Publish date	2007-09-18
Available Articles	Full articles without membership

Agriculture and agribusiness seem unlikely subjects for online study. But many universities, particularly those situated outside major towns and cities, now offer qualifications covering the likes of agricultural engineering, agronomy, dairy science, agricultural education and animal science.

One of the latest is Virginia Tech’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, which is to launch an online master’s degree programme in agriculture and life sciences.

The programme, which will provide broad, scientific-based courses for professionals in agriculture, life sciences and related fields, will begin in autumn 2007. Upon successful completion of the course, students will earn a Master of Science degree in agriculture and life sciences.

Students can choose from five concentrations: biosecurity and public health food safety, environmental science, education, and plant science and pest management. All courses will be offered in a distance-delivered format to provide students the flexibility to study at their own pace.

Tim Mack, associate dean for IT and Distance Learning at the college of Life Sciences, said: “Offering the programme entirely online makes it more accessible for people already working in life sciences, agriculture, and other related industries. Students will be able to work full time while they complete their degree at their own pace.”

The American Distance Education Consortium (ADEC) Degree and Programme Database lists 11 advanced online degree programmes offered nationally at other universities in the general areas of food and agriculture. According to Mack, Virginia Tech’s concentrations are what sets it apart from other such degrees.

Sharron Quisenberry, dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, added: “This programme will provide educational opportunities currently unavailable to place-bound professionals wanting to pursue an advanced degree. Over time, we will be able to expand programme areas and expand the educational capabilities of the college and the university to benefit professionals interested in a quality online education.”

Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and have a 3.0 grade point average (4-point scale) unless there are documented extenuating circumstances. Students will be required to complete 30 hours of approved coursework, plus a project and report, to earn the degree.

A student could complete the degree in about four years, assuming he or she takes one or two courses per semester. All students must orally defend their reports in a meeting with their advisory committee.

Virginia Farm Bureau Federation, the state’s largest farm organisation, welcomed the new programme.

The federation’s Andrew Smith said: “Too often in our industry individuals who have a desire to broaden their horizons are unable to access an advanced degree programme in their chosen field. Distance creates a huge barrier, especially once someone has begun their career.”

Smith described the programme as a bold and positive move with the potential to advance agriculture in Virginia as a whole. Other universities currently offering online agriculture-related degrees include Oregon State, Texas A&M, Iowa State and Kansas State in the US, AGFA in Australia, and Aberystwyth and the Scottish Agricultural College in the UK.

Keywords: agribusiness, agriculture, Virginia Tech College, American Distance Education Consortium, online Masters.

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