Overview
The department of Agricultural Sciences at Texas State University offers undergraduate and graduate curriculum that prepares students for today's agricultural careers. Agriculture is being transformed in almost every phase of the process, and this dynamic, global industry uses new technologies to improve the production, management, manufacture and distribution of food and agricultural products.
At Texas State, agriculture students enjoy a unique education experience with practical, hands-on classes combined with valuable business insight. A variety of courses are offered such as landscape design, animal science, and farm management, which all build a strong foundation to a successful career in agriculture.
Bachelor of Science degrees
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BSAG, major in Agriculture
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BSAG, major in Agriculture - Teacher Certification
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BSAG, major in Agriculture - Animal Science
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BSAG, major in Agriculture Business and Management
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Agribusiness Management Specialization
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Agricultural Systems Management Specialization
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Horticulture Business Specialization
General Agriculture
This degree provides a broad exposure to agriculture. With this curriculum, students may expect to manage a ranch or a farm, or work in any career that requires a general education such as extension, banking or government service.
Ag Education
This degree is a comprehensive educational program concerned with the broad field of agriculture. Emphasis in the curriculum is on production techniques, managerial skills and competencies necessary to function as agricultural scientists, educators, or agricultural managers in today's complex agricultural industry. Agricultural science teachers are certified to teach in grades nine through twelve in the public schools of Texas.
This degree is the study of all aspects of the livestock and poultry industries including commercial production and management; food processing, and animal feed/animal health including nutrition, biotechnology and veterinary medicine. Involvement of students in ongoing faculty research prepares graduates for careers in reproductive physiology, applied animal genetics and live animal evaluation, as well as other areas of the livestock industry.
Pre-Professional Program in Pre-Veterinary Science
The department supervises the pre-veterinary science program, which provides two years of specialized course work in addition to an Animal Science degree for students planning to enter Veterinary School.
Agribusiness Management
This degree reaches far beyond the farm to encompass the activities involved in bringing food and fiber to consumers. Students may pursue three specializations with this major: Operations, Systems, or Horticulture.
Agribusiness Management Specialization
With this degree students learn about the acquisition and use of capital, the working of the marketplace, financial institutions, and the effect of government policies on agriculture. Therefore, the agribusiness operations specialization includes courses in agricultural finance, marketing and policies dealing with resource use as well as courses in technical agriculture and general education.
Agribusiness Systems Management Specialization
This degree integrates and applies engineering technology, agricultural sciences, and business. It prepares graduates for careers in technical fields and engineering such as agricultural machinery and power systems, electrical energy systems including sensors and controls, agricultural structures, surveying, and environmental systems including water utilization and quality. Students are involved with ongoing research, farm power and machinery, precision farming and global positioning systems. Graduates are expected to assume positions of leadership and responsibility in careers such as product testing and service management, agricultural sales and services, and agricultural production systems.
Horticultural Business Specialization
As a specialization, this degree teaches management of commercial establishments and institutions that produce ornamental plants such as greenhouses and nurseries, floral shops and plant therapy businesses. The curriculum also contains specialized courses in Horticulture that utilize rooftop greenhouses at the Agriculture Building and the laboratory facilities at the 17-acre Horticulture Center near campus.
Agricultural Education, M. Ed.
The master's program offered through the department prepares students to work as professionals in the agriculture industry and in positions of leadership and management in secondary schools and adult education. The department offers an emphasis in teaching development with research possibilities. A thesis or non-thesis degree may be selected. The curriculum consists of 36 hours, with 21 in agricultural education and 15 in an integrated minor. The thesis counts as six hours toward the 21-hour agricultural education requirement. In addition, three hours are required in research and analysis as part of the 21 hours. The major and supportive courses are to be taken with the advice and consent of the student's advisory committee, which consists of three or more faculty selected with the help of the graduate advisor.