Agribusiness

A report produced by Georgetown University (cew.georgetown.edu/whatsitworth/) found that graduates of agricultural economics (which includes agribusiness and environmental economics) are one of the top 10 majors with full-time employment and among the top 10 majors with the highest employment rates.

The Agribusiness major prepares students for a variety of potential career fields including, but not limited to, agricultural law, agricultural policy analysis, economic consulting, agricultural production management, commodities marketing, and food chain supply management, including processing, sales, and distribution. Students receive an excellent foundation in applied economic analysis and business management along with the opportunity to specialize in specific areas by selecting from three concentrations: Management, Policy and Law, and Production. Students who wish to continue their education will also be well prepared to pursue graduate degrees.

Concentrations

Agribusiness Management

The Management concentration is designed for students seeking careers in management, marketing, finance, and other areas with top agribusiness firms. Students can choose electives from a wide range of business interests to prepare them to make an immediate impact with these employers.

Agribusiness Management 4-year Curriculum

Agribusiness Management 3-year Curriculum

Agribusiness Policy and Law

The Policy and Law concentration prepares students for placement in the public sector or to enter law school. Courses in this concentration provide students with the critical thinking and writing skills needed for successful careers in agricultural policy or law. Students in the Policy and Law concentration have completed internships in Washington, DC, with government agencies and members of Congress.

Agribusiness Policy and Law 4-year Curriculum

Agribusiness Policy and Law 3-year Curriculum

Agribusiness Production

The Production concentration readies students who want to manage their own agricultural operations, or consult those who do. Through the available electives, students can focus on their area of interest in agriculture. Students are encouraged to seek minors in other departments in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

Agribusiness Production 4-year Curriculum

Agribusiness Production 3-year Curriculum

Accelerated Program

The Agribusiness major offers an accelerated program to earn both a bachelor's and master's degree in a shorter length of time. Students in the Accelerated Program take graduate-level courses and earn both undergraduate credit and graduate credit simultaneously. Students need to consult with a potential graduate advisor to ensure graduate credit could be applied to a program of study for the graduate degree. Applications to these programs are submitted in the junior year (i.e., after completion of 60 or more hours of graded undergraduate courses).

Internships

Internships are designed to enhance the education of students through meaningful off-campus work experiences, and are open to qualified students. Students can earn 3 hour credits for an internship up to a total of 6 hours. An internship is an important part of the majors in Agricultural Economics as it provides an opportunity for students to apply classroom learning to the work place. The goal of internships is to provide students with valuable professional growth and development opportunities that prepare them for rewarding careers. Successful internships not only complement academic progress, but also provide employers a preview of prospective candidates for employment.

Eligible students are encouraged to seek entry-level positions with business firms, government agencies, and other organizations. The student and the prospective cooperator design a program that provides practical work experience focused on the specific goals and career objectives of the student.

For more information contact Dr. Josh Maples, 662.325.1774, or josh.maples@msstate.edu. Current students interested in internships may download the application and return it to Dr. Maples.

Job Outlook

Over 100 firms in the Fortune 500 are agribusinesses. If you’re looking for a career with one of these firms, or if you want to start your own business, a degree in Agribusiness at Mississippi State University is where to begin. The major’s built-in flexibility provides students with a highly marketable degree. According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook, employment of economists (agribusiness majors) is projected to grow 6 percent from 2016 to 2026.

Minor

The Department of Agricultural Economics offers a minor in Agribusiness to students outside the Department. Course selection for the minor in Agribusiness is designed to equip students with fundamental economic and management principles to broaden the scope of career opportunities for students completing the minor. A minor in Agribusiness is attained by completing at least 18 hours of Agribusiness courses. To qualify for a minor, students must maintain a 2.0 grade point average in courses taken to satisfy the requirements for the minor. Visit the Undergraduate Catalog for course requirements.

Precision Agriculture Certificate Program

There is a need to train students in the broad array of precision agriculture technologies. This certificate program complements majors taught across College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) departments. This certificate features emerging technologies in decision-based agricultural planning and implementation. Visit the Undergraduate Catalog for course requirements.

Scholarships

Students may apply for university, college and departmental scholarships through one application. You can find the scholarship application once you login to myState. Under the banner tab, select Financial Aid and Scholarships. The application is listed as Submit/Revise General Scholarship Application.

Study Abroad

The Office of Study Abroad (OSA) offers the students and faculty of Mississippi State University the opportunity to explore academic opportunities outside of the United States. Students have three options to study abroad: MSU Faculty led-programs, exchange programs, and affiliated provider company programs. Find out more at the MSU Office of Study Abroad.

Student Organizations

Student organizations provide an excellent opportunity to network with professionals and peers. There are numerous organizations that are available through the Department and the University.

Transfer Students

Students may transfer to Mississippi State University from regionally accredited community, junior or senior colleges for any period of enrollment, provided they have earned a 2.0 GPA (as computed by Mississippi State University) on all college courses attempted as well as earned a 2.0 GPA on the 30-hours of core courses. Transfer students should look at the transfer course equivalent guide to determine which courses will transfer.