Occupational Outlook for Agricultural and Food Scientists
See the latest report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Grade Translation
You will be taking courses from institutions with different grading systems. The "teaching" university (where your course is taught) will provide your grade to your "home" university (where you have been admitted) according to the matrix. Your university will also translate the grade according to the matrix.
Four institutions (Iowa State University, University of Missouri, University of Nebraska, and Texas Tech University) participate in the Agricultural Education course-share.
What are the available certificates?
Assessing Program Effectiveness
Leadership Theory and Application
Presentation and Sales Strategies for Agricultural Audiences
History & Leadership of the Land Grant University
Introduction to Learning Theory in Agricultural Education
Introduction to Research in Agricultural Education
Methods of Technological Change
Program Development in Agricultural & Extension Education
Evaluation of Programs in Vo-tech & Extension Education
Risk & Crisis Communications
Research Methods in Agricultural Education
Advanced Teaching Methods in Agricultural Education
Instructional Methods in Adult & Higher Education
Program Development & Evaluation
Foundations of Agricultural Education
Contemporary Issues in Agricultural Communication
Foundations of Adult Education
Graduate Seminar
Evaluation of Educational Programs
Introduction to Learning Theory in Agricultural Education
Tech Transfer & the Role of Agriculture & Extension Education in International Agriculture
Four institutions collaborate in the Agriculture Mechanization course share program. Most courses are shared at the undergraduate level, however, graduate-level courses are available.
By providing a distance education Food Safety and Defense graduate certificate program we will serve the needs of the industry and agencies that must protect the human food supply from accidental or deliberate contamination with pathogenic microbes and/or toxicants. In an era of terrorism and global food systems, effective control of foodborne hazards requires advanced education. There is an urgent need for online education for food industry personnel who, while working fulltime, would like to pursue more in-depth specialized training in food safety and security that is pertinent to their job. Many food-related industry and agency professionals have a B.S. in some aspect of food and agricultural sciences or related area along with a good technical background and work experience. But they may not be able to pursue a full graduate degree, due to expense, time constraints and/or interests. These needs warrant the development of a program to prepare graduate students and food-related professionals to effectively deal with food safety and biosecurity issues.
What careers might I pursue with a Food Safety and Defense certificate?
Food Safety Analyst
Quality Control Specialist
HACCP Consultant
Plant Manager
Food Safety Engineer
What degrees or certificates can I earn?
The online certificate includes a minimum of 12 credits, 8-9 credits in core courses and at least 3-4 elective credits, on topics including food microbiology, foodborne toxicants, HACCP, food safety and security overview, food laws, risk assessment, food biotechnology, rapid food microbiological methods, food allergy, and food fermentations with each participating university offering at least one course on a regular basis, and each university cross-listing all courses. Students must meet admissions requirements for the Master of Science degree in Food Science or equivalent degree at their respective universities.
What are the available certificates?
Core Courses (Required):
A Multidisciplinary Overview of Food Safety & Security
Microbiology of Food
HACCP
Food Toxicology
Elective Courses:
Food Laws and the Regulatory Process
Advanced Food Microbiology & Biotechnology
Rapid Methods in Food Microbiolgy
Rapid Methods and Automation in Microbiology
Microbiology of Fermenetd Foods
Risk Assessment for Food, Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine
International applicants seeking admission to the Food Safety and Defense Graduate Certificate program must apply at Iowa State University or the University of Nebraska. Please see campus coordinator contact information below.
Can I test out of a course if I have already taken it elsewhere?
It is possible that a student may have already taken one or more of these courses or their equivalent for another degree or certificate program. Upon approval by the major professor, up to 3 hours of credit could be accepted toward the 12 hour minimum required for this certificate.
I'd like to ask a different question about Food Safety and Defense. Whom do I contact?
Six institutions (Iowa State University, Kansas State University, University of Missouri, University of Nebraska, Oklahoma State University, and South Dakota State University) participate in the Grasslands Management course-share.
Horticulture is the art (floral and landscape design) as well as the science (identification, propagation, production, and physiology) of growing plants.
What careers might I pursue with a Horticulture certificate?
Careers include: Extension agent; horticulture educator; work with city parks and recreation; garden center, greenhouse, nursery, turf and landscape management firms; research technicians, horticulture consultants.
All students anywhere in the world may earn a horticulture graduate certificate.
Can I test out of a course if I have already taken it elsewhere?
No
Which Certificate is Right for Me?
Advanced Horticulture
The Certificate in Advanced Horticulture provides students with the basic knowledge and skills required to master advanced practices and principles in horticulture. The program provides courses that cover a broad overview of horticultural production including nursery, greenshouse, edible food crop production as well as coursework in horticultural business management. Production courses are balanced with basic coursework in plant physiology, nutrition, and irrigation science to provide students with an excellent foundation for a horticultural management position, teaching, or graduate school. the Advanced Horticulture Certificate is a great way for Master Gardeners, Vocational teachers, Extension agents and commercial growers to braoden their knowledge base in horticulture and advance their employment opportunities.
Floriculture and Nursery Management
The Floriculture and Nursery Management Certificate focuses on the science behind the production of ornamental herbaceous and woody plants. The production-oriented certificate also focuses on coursework in plant nutrition and physiology as well as buisness and pest management to develop students' knowledge of plant function during crop production.
Ornamentals, Landscape and Turf
The Ornamentals, Landscape and Turf certificate allows students to concentrate post baccalaureate coursework in the area of the best management practices used in the green industry for home landscapes, business parks, golf courses, municiple parks and similar areas. this professional practice-oriented certificate includes coursework in irrigation, plant nutrition and plant response to environmental conditions, as well as, plant identification and selection.
I'd like to ask a different question about Horticulture. Whom do I contact?
Swine Science Online is the first ever online undergraduate program in swine science. Swine Science Online offers education and training of future pork professionals to benefit the pork industry by inspiring a career interest through academic training and application. The Swine Science Online vision is to ensure that the Pork Industry is led and managed by individuals who have broad educational and production experiences which have prepared them for these roles. Course work revolves around practical pork production and current pork industry issues. Swine Science Online teaches scientific principles and management skills involved in pork production for an efficient and sustainable operation.
What careers might I pursue with a Swine Science certificate?
Swine Genetic Sales Consultant
Regional Swine Sales Manager
Swine Communications Coordintator
Swine Building Construction
Swine Pharmaceuticals
Swine Management
Swine Feed Sales
What are the available certificates?
All students who complete the 12 credit SSO curriculum will be eligible to apply for a Swine Science Certificate through the U.S. Pork Center for Excellence. Additionally, some of the participating institutions will be offering an academic certificate in Swine Science. Please contact the campus coordinators at individual institutions to learn about the options available to you.
Required Courses
Elective Courses (Choose 5 Courses)
Basic Swine Science
Swine Feed Mill Management
Basic Lab Course
Marketing and Risk Management in the Pork Industry
Swine Health and Biosecurity
Pork Product Quality and Safety
Employee Management for the Swine Industry
Pork Export Markets
Production Internship in the Swine Industry
Swine Environment Management
Production Management Courses (choose one)
Swine Breeding and Gestation Management
Farrowing Management
Swine Industry and Finishing Management
Production Management Courses (able to take those not taken as required course)
Can I test out of a course if I have already taken it elsewhere?
It is possible that a student may have already taken one or more of these course or their equivalent for another degree or certificate program. The student must obtain approval by their advisor to obtain credit.
I'd like to ask a different question about Swine Science. Whom do I contact?
New Programs Are Coming Soon!
Biobased Products and Bioenergy
Students in this 15-credit program will earn a graduate-level certificate in Biobased Products and Bioenergy. This program is interdisciplinary and includes course-work in the following core areas: Bioprocessing/Conversion, Feedstocks and Sustainability. Students will have the option to earn a specialist or generalist certificate.
Generalist students will take three overview courses in order to achieve an understanding and appreciation for the broad implications of a biobased economy and will gain the ability to communicate, interact and collaborate in this area. Generalist students will also select two additional courses to obtain a knowledge base in a specific discipline within the field.
Specialist students are expected to take the two overview courses outside of their area of specialization to ensure that they have a broad-based understanding of the field, and then are expected to take three highly-specialized courses in their area of focus so they are prepared to work as scientists, engineers and other specialized professionals in the field.
This program is expected to come online in 2011, so please check back soon for more information!
Poultry Science - Egg Production
Agricultural Law
Soil, Water and Environmental Science
Agricultural Communications
More information will be coming soon about the above programs
How long will it take to earn a certificate?
The speed of program completion will depend on how much time you can devote to taking classes. Many students in this program may be working professionals with responsibilities which may limit the number of courses they can take each semester.
How many classes should I enroll in at once?
Many AG*IDEA students take two courses, or six credit hours, each semester. Depending on family, professional, travel and personal obligations, you may wish to enroll in greater or fewer credit hours each semester. It is reccomended that you take a lighter course load your first semester and judge for yourself if you would like to add to - or subtract from- your work load in subsequent semesters.
Please note: All course schedules are tentative and subject to change. The AG*IDEA allows for certificate and degree programs at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. We look forward to expanding our offerings as new programs are developed by institutions belonging to AG*IDEA.
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