Master of Science in Agricultural and Consumer Resources
Gain a deeper knowledge of your chosen career field while building leadership, vocational, research and animal science-related skills. At Tarleton, our flexible master’s degree program in agricultural and consumer resources is designed for working professionals who have completed a bachelor’s degree in agricultural services and development, an undergraduate agribusiness degree or another agriculture-related discipline.
Choose from the following program options:
- Leadership Concentration (Thesis or Non-Thesis)
- Agribusiness Concentration (Thesis or Non-Thesis)
- Teacher Certification (Non-Thesis)
A non-thesis student can complete the program in as quickly as a year, minimizing the time away from work and maximizing the long-term benefits.
Program faculty are dedicated to our graduate students and will work closely with you to develop a master’s degree plan tailored to your career goals and personal needs. You can attend classes 100% online, entirely on campus or a hybrid of the two, which allows you to continue to work while completing degree program requirements at a distance.
What is Agricultural and Consumer Resources?
The job market for agricultural and consumer resources graduates is experiencing a shortage. The peak hiring season for agricultural and extension education runs from March to July, with the majority of job openings calling for certified teachers in agricultural education. With the structure and rigor required in today’s very competitive and ever-changing global marketplace, the master’s degree in agricultural and consumer resources at Tarleton increases the professional competence of agricultural science teachers, extension agents, and other professionals pursuing agricultural careers or jobs with an agribusiness degree requirement.
Earning your master’s degree in agricultural and consumer resources can help lead to career advancement and promotions, as well as an annual salary increase, within Texas AgriLife Extension and other local and state agencies.
Estimated Completion
36 Credit Hours (12+ months)
Application Process
Cost
Locations Available
College
What Can You Do With Your Master’s Degree in Agricultural and Consumer Resources?
Many of our graduate students are already experienced in agricultural education, agricultural extension, agricultural communication, agricultural development, agricultural sales and agribusiness or agricultural business management. An agricultural and consumer resources master’s degree helps you gain a deeper understanding of the concepts and skills necessary to take on active leadership roles in any of these fields.
For example, these are just a few of the places where our graduate students are employed:
- Government and state agencies such as the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
- Meat-packing plants
- Independent school districts
- Texas Farm Bureau
- AgTexas Farm Credit Services
- Dynamic Environmental Services
- United Ag and Turf
Careers in Agricultural and Consumer Resources
Tarleton State University is proud to claim more agricultural science teachers and extension/4-H agents than any other university in Texas.
Learn more about graduate studies at Tarleton!
Why Study Agricultural and Consumer Resources?
Reach the next level of career readiness through a combination of research, hands-on learning and in-class instruction.
Graduate students work closely with faculty within the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources on studies in a variety of fields, including agricultural communication, agribusiness, agricultural business management, STEM teaching innovations and many more. The increased exposure through graduate research and presentations at research conferences will help you expand your professional network and open new doors to opportunity.
Internships offer opportunities to explore different areas within agriculture and agribusiness with low-risk and only temporary commitment. Graduate students in the Teaching Certification option complete a clinical teaching experience. Study abroad trips to developing countries allow students to gain a new, global perspective on agricultural issues while exploring a different culture. Service learning gives students a way to provide for a community while also realizing the benefits of stewardship and personal service to others.
Dedicated faculty have over 200 combined years of experience in agricultural education, leadership, agribusiness and communication studies. We are educators, communicators, industry professionals and researchers who share our experience ‘doing’ what we teach by applying theory to practice.
Graduate student scholarships are available, as well as a wide variety of graduate assistantships. You may also qualify for federal financial aid.
Study in state-of-the-art facilities
Learning happens beyond the classroom. The Agricultural Communication Labs provide opportunities to gain hands-on experience using modern technology and equipment to build skills in agricultural video production, event management, photography and publication development. The Agricultural Mechanics Laboratories include individualized instruction with hands-on activities in metals, construction and engine theory. The Tarleton Agriculture Center consists of nearly 700 acres, including swine and meat labs, poultry facilities and centers for animal and plant sciences, dairy and aquaponics.
What Classes Will You Take as an Agricultural and Consumer Resources Major?
The flexibility of our agricultural and consumer resources master’s degree means you can choose courses in one or more disciplines that best help you achieve your career goals. Topics range from extension education, international education and agricultural education to technical agriculture and agricultural business management.
For example, in the National FFA Convention – Study Trip course, undergraduate and graduate students travel to the National FFA convention held each fall to get a behind-the-scenes look at the logistics of planning and executing one of the largest student events in the country. In the Pursuit of Purple/Mobile Broadcasting course, graduate students create, plan and execute a steer show that is also live broadcasted through the internet for unique opportunities in event management, production, media and broadcasting.
View all required classes for the agricultural and consumer resources master’s degree.
Accreditations
Facilities and Features
Our graduate students can complete the master’s degree program in agricultural and consumer resources on the Stephenville campus or via computer technology from anywhere around the globe. This means our students bring a wealth of different experience, knowledge and culture to the classroom — in person or online.
With an undergraduate degree in an agriculture-related field, you can earn your master’s degree with full teacher certification in two years. Tarleton’s Department of Agricultural Education and Communication routinely leads Texas and the nation in numbers of graduates certified to teach, and we offer one of few teacher certifications programs in the nation for agriculture, food and natural resources.
Graduate students are often active members of Collegiate FFA, Agribusiness Club and the Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow. They also engage with area high schools and undergraduate students through numerous events, including State and National FFA Career Development Events, the State Fair of Texas and local and regional stock shows.