Integrated Agricultural Sciences (M.S.)

M.S. Integrated Agricultural Sciences

Students develop technical and leadership skills necessary for an effective career in addressing and solving real-world food and agricultural issues.
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Program Overview

By integrating animal science, plant and soil science, agricultural economics, and agricultural education into one program, students experience a transdisciplinary approach to research and education concerning land use strategies, crop and animal production, distribution, sales, economics, policy, and the environment.

Course Work

The program requires completion of 36 semester credit hours for thesis and professional students. Courses include statistics, agricultural development and policy, research methods, agroecology, foundations of ethics and leadership in agriculture, and the role of animal science in society. In addition to core classes, students will choose courses in four focused research areas: agricultural business; economics and policy; agricultural education; animal science; and crop and soil science. Students will also take courses in a variety of departments such as biology, geography, engineering technology, and others. Instruction is delivered on the San Marcos Campus.

DegreeHoursResearch OptionMinor OptionLocation
Degree
M.S.
Hours
36
Research Option
Professional Option
Minor Option
No minor
Location
San Marcos
Degree
M.S.
Hours
36
Research Option
Thesis
Minor Option
No minor
Location
San Marcos

What Our Faculty Say

“As agriculture becomes increasingly complex, we need a multidisciplinary focus to solve current problems. Employers are looking for professionals with varied backgrounds who are able to address 21st-century agricultural issues.ˮ

– Dr. Madan Dey, Professor and Chair, Department of Agricultural Sciences

Program Details

Research conducted by graduate students will be connected to real-world agricultural issues, as well as recommendations from our industry advisory committee and stakeholders, including small farmers and ranchers.

Program Mission

The Department of Agricultural Sciences provides an enriched learning environment for a diverse body of graduate students and prepares them for careers in agriculture-related fields at the state, national and international levels. The department conducts multidisciplinary research and provides services that enhance the livelihood of farming communities and improve food security.

Career Options

  • agricultural economist
  • farm and ranch manager
  • nursery manager
  • animal scientist
  • plant scientist
  • agronomist
  • grower
  • land conservationist
  • natural resources specialist 
  • extension agent
  • agricultural loan specialist
  • agricultural credit analyst
  •  agricultural instructor
  • agricultural sales manager
  • agricultural inspector
  • hydroponic/aquaponic production manager

 

Program Faculty

Faculty specialize in:

  • agricultural economic development
  • agricultural education
  • animal endocrinology, physiology, and reproduction
  • animal nutrition
  • composting science
  • controlled environment agriculture
  • economics of aquaponics production
  • goat and small ruminant production
  • horticultural therapy
  • hydroponic methods
  • invasive species
  • soil health
  • recycling nutrients from food waste

 

Contact us for general questions about your application, funding opportunities, and more. If you have specific questions after reviewing the program details, contact the program's graduate advisor.

Graduate Advisor
Dr. Pratheesh Sudhakaran
pos6@txstate.edu
512.245.2459
Agriculture (AG), Room 304

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Application Deadlines

DeadlinesU.S. CitizenInternational
Deadlines
Fall - Priority
U.S. Citizen
February 1
International
February 1
Deadlines
Fall - Standard
U.S. Citizen
June 15 (*Flexible)
International
June 1
Deadlines
Spring
U.S. Citizen
October 15 (*Flexible)
International
October 1
Deadlines
Summer I
U.S. Citizen
April 15 (*Flexible)
International
March 15
Deadlines
Summer II
U.S. Citizen
June 1 (*Flexible)
International
No Admission

*This program’s deadline is flexible for those not requiring an F/J visa. A flexible deadline means applications received after the standard deadline may be reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis with no guarantees for admission consideration.

Funding Information
Applications must be complete by the priority deadline to be considered for certain types of funding.

If you are applying for an assistantship in the fall term, send the application letter, statement of reasons for graduate study, and two reference letters directly to the graduate advisor in the Department of Agricultural Sciences by March 31. If you are seeking an assistantship for terms other than fall, awards will be made if funds are available. The awards are based on scholastic achievement.

Decision Timeline
This program reviews applications on a rolling basis.

Admission Requirements

The items required for admission consideration are listed below. Additional information for applicants with international credentials can be found on our international web pages.

  • Review important information about the online application.

    • $55 Nonrefundable application fee, OR
    • $90 Nonrefundable application fee for applications with international credentials

    Review important information about application fees.

    • baccalaureate degree in agriculture, biology, chemistry, economics, education, or a closely related field demonstrating adequate preparation from a regionally accredited university. The degree earned should indicate the ability to conduct and complete the thesis research proposed or the professional option with excellent results. (Non-U.S. degrees must be equivalent to a four-year U.S. Bachelor’s degree. In most cases, three-year degrees are not considered. Visit our International FAQs for more information.)
    • a copy of an official transcript from each institution where course credit was granted
    • a 3.0 overall GPA or a 3.0 GPA in your last 60 hours of undergraduate course work (plus any completed graduate courses)

    Review important information about transcripts. Official transcripts, sent directly from your institution, will be required if admission is granted.

  • GRE

    • GRE not required

    Approved English Proficiency Exam Scores

    Applicants are required to submit an official English proficiency exam score that meets the minimum program requirements below unless they have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or the equivalent from a country on our exempt countries list.

    • official TOEFL iBT scores required with a 78 overall and minimum individual module scores of
      • 19 listening
      • 19 reading
      • 19 speaking
      • 18 writing
    • official PTE scores required with a 52 overall
    • official IELTS (academic) scores required with a 6.5 overall and
      • minimum individual module scores of 6.0
    • official Duolingo scores required with a 110 overall
    • official TOEFL Essentials scores required with an 8.5 overall

    This program does not offer admission if the scores above are not met.
     

    Review important information about official test scores.

  • Documents

    • resume/CV detailing prior work experience, research experience, awards, scholarships, and other related qualifications
    • statement of interest (two-page maximum) including research interests, plans for graduate study, and professional aspirations and describing how your scholarly interests and relevant skills can be utilized in the program to pursue those goals
    • three letters of recommendation from non-related individuals familiar with your scholarly work and/or relevant work experience

    Review important information about documents.

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