15 Best Online Master’s Degrees in Agribusiness

Texas Tech University offers Grad School Hub's top online graduate degree in agricultural business. The university's Master of Science in Agricultural Communications can be completed entirely online. The program is designed to prepare graduates to succeed in agribusiness, agricultural communications, education and extension, and government service. It is most suitable for those with undergraduate degrees in a communications-related field. The core curriculum consists of two courses: Foundations of Agricultural Communications, and Risk & Crisis Communications in Agriculture and Natural Resources. Elective offerings include Public Opinion in Agriculture and Natural Resources and Utilizing Online Media in Agricultural Communications. Students can pursue a 30-credit thesis track or a 36-credit non-thesis track. Non-thesis students must study a support area such as advertising, agricultural education, or journalism. In lieu of a thesis, the non-thesis option culminates in an exam or advanced communications project. Established in 1923, Texas Tech is a public state research university. The university conducts prominent research in areas such as atmospheric sciences, pulsed power, and wind energy. The university established the National Wind Institute in the wake of the 1970 Lubbock Tornado. The institute's researchers contributed to the development of the Enhanced Fujita Scale for ranking tornado strength. The College of Agricultural Science and Natural Resources have conducted state- and federally funded research in the antibacterial and fiber properties of cotton and fabrics that protect against chemical warfare. The college has also developed two variants of turfgrass. U.S. News & World Report counts Texas Tech among the top 100 public universities in the nation.

North Carolina State University offers a Master of Agricultural and Extension Education. The online degree program is designed primarily for current agriculture teachers or those who wish to work with the Cooperative Extension Service. Course material is delivered through lecture videos, online activities and communication tools, and other media materials. The degree requires 36 credits of study. Beyond the core curriculum, students can choose electives in areas such as animal science, forestry, horticulture, or youth education. The curriculum culminates in a project in an area such as curriculum development, mentoring, or research inquiry. Students may choose to concurrently pursue the university's Licensure in Education for Agricultural Professionals program for certification to teach agriculture in public schools. NC State was founded in 1887 as the North Carolina College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts. It has since grown into one of the largest universities in the United States. Located in Raleigh, the public research university marks one corner of the region's Research Triangle. It operates the Plants for Human Health Institute through the North Carolina Research Campus biotechnology hub. The institution includes research and Cooperative Extension components in the nutritional properties of crops. In 2018, Washington Monthly ranked NC State No. 67 among universities nationwide.

Texas A&M University offers a distance education program leading to a Master of Agriculture. The degree program is ideal for students interested in fields such as agricultural leadership, instructional design, or rural community development. It is a non-thesis program that emphasizes applied problem-solving skills. It requires 36 semester hours of study, including 12 hours in residence. The core curriculum includes Frontiers in Research, History and Philosophy of Agricultural Education, and Methods of Technological Change. Students may choose to complete a culminating professional internship experience. All students are required to write a professional paper. A&M was founded in 1871 as the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas. It was the first public institution of higher education in the state. Now a public research university, it has since grown into the largest university in Texas and the second-largest in the United States. It is a land-, sea-, and space-grant institution and a member of the Association of American Universities. The university's research facilities include the Institute of Biosciences and Technology and the Institute for Plant Genomics and Biotechnology. A&M scientists created the world's first cloned cat. The university is also a member of the consortium to construct the Giant Magellan Telescope. Washington Monthly ranks A&M No. 11 in the nation in its 2018 rankings.

Purdue University offers two relevant degrees: a Master of Science-Master of Business Administration in Food and Agribusiness Management, and a Master of Science in Agricultural Economics. The MS-MBA option allows students to earn both the MS in Agricultural Economics and a Master of Business Administration. Both agribusiness degree programs are designed to be completed primarily online. Each class requires five-week residency sessions, including international experiences. Both programs are designed for working agricultural professionals. The curriculum is organized into 12-week modules, culminating in a capstone project. MS courses include Economics for Food and Agribusiness Managers, Law and Ethics in Business, and Strategic Marketing Management. The MS program can be completed in 21 months, and the MS-MBA program requires an additional six months of study. Purdue receives a significant amount of research funding from organizations including the National Science Foundation and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Among Purdue alumni is Professor Reuben J. Olembo, a Deputy Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme. Times Higher Education ranked Purdue No. 64 in its World University Rankings for 2019.

The University of Arkansas offers a Master of Science in Agricultural and Extension Education entirely online. It is designed for agricultural science and extension teachers and education professionals, as well as agricultural communications or technologies professionals. The degree requires 33 credit hours of study. This includes three core courses: Interpreting Social Data in Agriculture, Philosophy of Agricultural and Extension Education, and Research Methodology in the Social Sciences. Other course offerings include a Grant Writing Seminar, Utilizing Online Media, and Volunteer Management. Online students typically complete the program on a non-thesis track. The degree can be completed in two to three years. U of A was established on a hilltop farm overlooking the Ozark Mountains. It has since expanded into a public research university and the largest university in Arkansas. The land- and space-grant institution is noted for its agriculture programs, particularly in the areas of animal and poultry science. The Division of Agriculture operates statewide programs in environmental sustainability, food safety and security, and human nutrition and health. U.S. News & World Report ranks U of A No. 78 among public universities nationwide.

The University of Georgia awards a Master of Agricultural and Environmental Education. The degree program can be completed on campus or fully online. It prepares graduates to communicate, lead, and teach in the areas of the environment, food, and social systems. Required core courses include Diffusion of Innovations and Program Development for Agricultural Leaders. Elective offerings include Grantseeking, History and Philosophy of Agricultural Education, and International Agricultural Development. The degree requires 36 semester hours of graduate coursework, which can be completed on a thesis or non-thesis track. Students also have the option to pursue teacher certification and/or a graduate certificate in Sustainability. Founded in 1785, UGA is one of the oldest public universities in the United States. Located in Athens, Georgia, the public research university is the state's flagship institution. The university's North Campus is a designated historic district with extensive green space. UGA operates five 4-H centers throughout Georgia, which specialize in educating young people about agricultural and environmental awareness, communication and leadership skills, energy conservation, and health and nutrition. Other off-campus agricultural education sites include Double Bridges Farm, the UGA Teaching Dairy, and the Wilkins Beef Unit. U.S. News & World Report ranks UGA at No. 46 among universities nationwide and No. 13 among public universities.

Kansas State University offers a Master of Agribusiness. The degree program is designed for working agribusiness managers who aim to advance their skills in the field. Course material is delivered primarily through distance learning, including through DVD and online recitations. The program requires four-week, on-campus sessions during the program. The curriculum focuses on agribusiness management, animal health, and food. Courses include Applied Econometric Analysis, Behavioral Management Theory, and International Agribusiness Policy Analysis. The curriculum culminates in an Agricultural Economics Analysis seminar and a master's research thesis. The degree requires 42 credit hours of study and is designed to be completed in two and a half years. KSU opened in 1863 as Kansas' land-grant college and first public institution of higher learning. The public university has a main campus in Manhattan, Kansas, and branch campuses in Olathe and Salina. The Olathe Innovation Campus focuses on graduate research in animal health, bioenergy, food safety, and security, and plant science. The university has a historic focus on agriculture, and particularly on the animal and plant life of the Great Plains region. The Manhattan campus includes a horticulture display garden, and the university also operates the nearby Konza Prairie preserve research station and Agricultural Experiment Stations throughout Kansas. The university's agricultural research areas include agricultural biosecurity and animal diseases. KSU is categorized in the top tier of national research universities by the Carnegie Foundation.

Ohio State University offers a Master of Science in Agricultural Communication, Education and Leadership. The program is designed to meet the needs of full-time working professionals. All courses are delivered online, but the program requires one annual face-to-face meeting per year. Sample courses include Documenting Change through Evaluation and Accountability, Leadership and Administration in Agricultural and Extension Education, and Strategic and Program Planning. Other course offerings include Adult Learning and Professional Development and Emerging Trends and Issues in Agricultural and Extension Education. Ohio State was founded in 1870 as a land-grant university called Ohio Agricultural and Mechanical College. It has since grown into a comprehensive public university and the third-largest university in the United States by on-campus enrollment. OSU has a main campus in Columbus and five regional campuses across Ohio. The land-, sea-, and space-grant research institution is a member of the Association of American Universities. It is also counted among the nation's "Public Ivy" universities, indicating it offers a quality of education comparable to private Ivy League institutions. The university's research facilities include the Chadwick Arboretum, the Museum of Biological Diversity, and the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center.

The University of Nebraska offers an online program Master of Science in Agronomy. The degree program includes both asynchronous and synchronous classes, meaning students will both participate in live sessions and access content at their own pace. Students can choose from three specialization options: Crop Physiology and Production, Plant Breeding and Genetics, and Range and Forage Sciences. Students may follow a thesis track, which requires a minimum of 30 credits of study. The two non-thesis track options each require a minimum of 36 credits. One non-thesis track requires a minor area of study, while the other requires more advanced coursework. All students must culminate their studies with a comprehensive exam. Located in Lincoln, UNL is the oldest university in Nebraska and the largest in the University of Nebraska system. The public research university is particularly noted for its pioneering research in agricultural science. The university's "Nebraska method" of the ecological study was at the root of significant developments in grassland ecology and theoretical ecology. The University of Nebraska State Museum prominently features natural history exhibits, such as Mammoth fossils. The campus' Lester F. Larsen Tractor Museum houses 40 historical tractors. U.S. News & World Report lists UNL at No. 95 nationally for best value and No. 61 among public universities.

Southern Arkansas University awards a Master of Business Administration with an emphasis in Agri-Business. Offered through the Rankin College of Business, the program can be completed on campus or entirely online. It is designed primarily for individuals who hold a Bachelor of Business Administration degrees. Those who do not have a BBA can meet requirements by completing a 24-hour prerequisite program. The degree requires 33 credits of study. The curriculum covers advanced topics in agriculture markets, agricultural policies, international agriculture trade, supply chain management, and beyond. Students who take two classes per semester, including the summer, can complete the degree in two years. SAU began as an agriculture-focused high school and has since evolved into a public university with colleges of business, education, liberal and performing arts, and science and engineering. The university occupies a rural campus in Magnolia, Arkansas. The university's Rankin College of Business is home to centers including the Arkansas Small Business Technology Development Center and the Center for Economic Education and Research. The business college also hosts an annual Executive Network conference, which allows students to interact with successful SAU business alumni.