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Questions about College of Agriculture & Life Sciences Distance Education courses and programs can be directed to (800)747-4478 or by E-mail. For a list of all courses and programs available from Iowa State University, call (800)262-0015 or visit www.lifelearner.iastate.edu.

Programs

Master of Agriculture

The Department of Agricultural Education and Studies in the College of Agriculture offers the Master of Agriculture Degree with a major in Professional Agriculture. This degree is designed primarily for the part-time, off-campus student. Most of the courses are offered via distance education, but students are allowed to take courses on campus. Specialized workshops and short courses are offered on campus during the summer months. Students are accepted from any part of the United States and Canada. Call (800) 747-4478 to learn more.

The goal of this program is to prepare individuals for proactive roles in addressing and responding to personal, professional, and societal issues and challenges in a changing food, agriculture and natural resources system through education and outreach in public and private agencies, and through training and development in business and industry. The intent of the program is to enable individuals to grow and develop as professionals, positioning themselves for emerging opportunities within or outside of their current employment.

Master of Science in Agronomy

The Department of Agronomy offers the Master of Science Agronomy Degree. It is designed for professionals who are working in industry and government, the degree ensures you have an advanced knowledge of agronomic systems and superior problem-solving skills. The computer-based program, begun in 1998, emphasizes practical, professional, and technical skills involved in crop management, soil and water management, and integrated pest management. Call (866) MSAGRON to learn more.

The curriculum consists of 12 courses plus a one-credit workshop and a three-credit creative component, for a total of 40 credits. The workshop is the only course that requires attendance on campus—three or four days one summer. The course prerequisites for admission to the program are limited to fundamental agriculture courses, recognizing that many potential students will not have majored in agronomy as undergraduates. Generally, students who have completed a degree from a College of Agriculture will meet the requirements.

Master of Science in Agricultural Education

The Department of Agricultural Education and Studies offers a Master of Science in Agricultural Education Degree. It is designed for agriculture teachers in secondary and postsecondary settings, extension professionals, educators in public and private settings, and agricultural communicators, the Master of Science in Agricultural Education can improve your career proficiency and professional status. The curriculum is flexible allowing you to create a program best suited to your needs, interests, and aspirations. You may choose to earn a specialization in agricultural extension education. Students are accepted from any part of the United States and Canada. Call (800) 747-4478 to learn more.

The curriculum is 30 semester hours. Fifteen credits of required courses include: Foundations of Agricultural Education (AgEdS 550), Program Development and Evaluation in Agricultural and Extension Education (AgEdS 524), Introduction to Learning Theory in Agricultural Education (AgEdS 533), Instructional Methods for Adult and Higher Education in Agriculture and Natural Resources (AgEdS 520), and Introduction to Research in Agricultural Education (AgEdS 510). The curriculum also includes 13 credits of electives, 2 credits of creative component, and a final oral examination. Up to 8 credits may be transferred from another university. A thesis option is available if you wish to pursue a Ph.D. or a research-oriented career.

The program can be completed completely at a distance. There are no required on campus courses or meetings. The flexibility of the program makes it possible for working professionals to obtain a master's while continuing to meet personal and professional responsibilities.

For more information contact:
Greg Miller, Professor & Director of Graduate Education
Department of Agricultural Education and Studies
201Curtiss Hall, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011
(515) 294-2583 or e-mail: gsmiller@iastate.edu

Master of Science in Seed Technology and Business

via CD-ROM and online

Designed for professionals working in industry and government, the degree ensures an advanced knowledge of seed science, technology and basic business and problem-solving skills. It emphasizes decision making for application to practical and technical issues in all aspects of the seed business.

The program has been designed for the convenience of working adults-those too busy with jobs, or too far away, to enroll in a traditional graduate school. Students use a computer to access course work, communicate with instructors, and submit assignments. The course of study is rigorous, and requires a great deal of self discipline, but it is convenient. Most students in this program will be employed full time in a seed related position.

The curriculum consists of 15 courses and a three or four-credit creative component. The program is a non-thesis degree. The admission requirements are a four year degree in either agriculture or business; graduation in the top quarter of your class; and GRE (Q) 570 or better, GRE (V) 500 or better or GMAT 570 or better. Appropriate four year degrees in biological sciences or related fields may also be accepted.

For more information, contact Paul Christensen, Manager Seed Technology and Business Program 102a Seed Science Building, Ames, Iowa 50011-3228 (515) 294-8745 e-mail: seedsci@iastate.edu or see www.seeds.iastate.edu/class for more information.

Community Development Online Master's Degree Program

A program of the Great Plains Interactive Distance Education Alliance (IDEA)

The program involves six participating universities: Iowa State University, Kansas State University, North Dakota State University, South Dakota State University, University of Missouri; and the University of Nebraska, and it is a program of the Great Plains Interactive Distance Education Alliance (IDEA).

Students in the program take a series of required core courses and choose electives from three specialization tracks; six hours are dedicated to the students’ capstone experience. The specialization tracks include Building Economic Capacity, Natural Resource Management, and Working with Native Communities.

This cutting edge, trans-disciplinary, inter-institutional program has been a major success since it started. To find out more information about the online community development master’s degree program, please visit http://www.gpidea.org/prospective/community/cdProgram.html.

Food Safety & Defense Graduate Certificate Program

A program of the Great Plains Interactive Distance Education Alliance (IDEA)

The interinstitutional certificate program is offered in cooperation with Kansas State University Food Science Institute, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Food Science, and University of Missouri Food Science programs. These universities have established a multi-state agricultural consortium to develop and deliver high-priority collaborative distance education programs in the food and agricultural sciences. To find out more information about the online community development master’s degree program, please visit http://www.fshn.hs.iastate.edu/grad/foodsafetycert.php.