Best Online Associate in Agriculture Degree Programs
Enrolling for an online associate in agriculture program opens you to career opportunities in agricultural merchandising and sales, agribusiness, and livestock management. Ranchers, farmers, and other agricultural managers earn an average annual salary of $71,000 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This article explores the best online associate in agriculture degree programs.
This article explores the career prospects for an associate in agriculture graduates, the requirements for admission, and the courses covered in the program. The most common core course topics in an associate in agriculture program are biology, soil science, and agricultural management. Graduates can go on to pursue careers in fields like farming, food science, and agricultural technology.
The best online associate in agriculture programs prepares graduates to gain entry-level employment in the agriculture sector or to enroll in four-year programs in related fields. A lot of job entry-level jobs do not require more than an associate degree. Therefore after graduating from an associate program, you can choose not to further your education by pursuing a bachelor’s degree. Let’s look at the list of the best online associate in agriculture degree programs.
Best Online Associate in Agriculture Degree Programs
Northwest Iowa Community College offers one of the best online associates in agriculture degree programs. This program boasts an employment rate of nearly 100%.
The college operates a campus in Sheldon and an online school. Students can choose from over 40 undergraduate programs, 12 of which are available online or in a hybrid format.
The online associate in agriculture program offered at NCC allows students to streamline their program by choosing from an array of agriculture electives. Core course classes explore topics like farm business management, fundamentals of soil science, and animal health.
The AAS in agriculture takes about two years to complete and five semesters, including one summer term.
NCC charges all online students the same tuition, regardless of residence. Students benefit from several virtual resources, including academic advising, library access, and tutoring services.
Northeast Community College operates four campuses across Nebraska including an online school. The college has a population of 5,000 students, the college offers about 100 undergraduate, professional, and certificate programs, including over 20 online options.
Northeast’s online associate in agriculture programs is designed for learners who are interested in pursuing a bachelor’s degree. Students may choose to complete an online AA or AS in agriculture.
The online associate degree in agriculture at Northeast fulfills the first two years of the course requirements of a bachelor’s degree. Students benefit from several resources including academic advising, counseling, and career services. Applicants must submit ACT or SAT scores.
Allen offers associate degrees and certificate programs in over 60 disciplines. Students can either pursue their degrees online or on campus.
Allen offers an online associate of science with an emphasis on agriculture and natural resources. This program features 64 credits, and the course explores topics like agricultural economics, crop science, and animal science and industry. Allen Community College also offers an associate degree in agribusiness.
Allen charges the same tuition rate for all online students regardless of residence. Remote learners receive support through an online student resource center and a writing lab.
Casper College was established in 1945. It was Wyoming’s first junior college. Casper College is currently one of the largest two-college schools in the area. Casper has a population of nearly 5,000 students and offers over 140 programs on campus and online.
Casper offers an online associate in agriculture that allows students to choose from concentrations like agribusiness, animal science, general agriculture, or range management. The program features 60 credits and takes two years to complete, this program also fulfills the first two years of the course requirements of a bachelor’s program.
Core courses explore topics like livestock production, agroecology, and agricultural economics. Remote students can become members of Casper’s student organizations, including the Livestock Judging Club, the Casper College Rodeo Club, and the Oil City Ag Club. Applicants are required to submit ACT or SAT scores for admission consideration.
Holmes Community College is one of 14 members of the Mississippi Virtual Community College system. Holmes offers AA and AAS degrees online, it also operates four physical campuses across Mississippi.
Holmes Community College offers an online associate degree in agriculture featuring 64 credits. This program takes about four semesters and about two years to complete. The AA program satisfies the general education requirements and prerequisites for a bachelor’s degree.
The program’s courses explore topics like general chemistry, plant science, and principles of agricultural economics. Applicants under the age of 21 are required to submit ACT or SAT scores for admission consideration.
6. Utah State University
Utah State University offers one of the best online associates in agriculture degree programs. This associate’s program instructs students on research and new technology, this is to give students a strong foundation in the world of agriculture and food systems.
Graduates of Utah State’s online program can start their careers in agriculture or pursue a four-year degree. The program features 60 credits and offers two early start dates, and the program is delivered 100% online. Tuition for the associate degree program is $8,960 per year.
7. University of Massachusetts
The University of Massachusetts Stockbridge School of Agriculture offers students an opportunity to earn a sustainable agriculture degree online. The Stockbridge School also offers a fully online associate in sustainable food production and farming.
This online associate in agriculture degree program is designed to suit students who are interested in a bachelor’s degree in agriculture and food science programs. Students at the associate level are taught by university professors.
Agricultural science courses for online students cover unique agriculture and farm business management topics including Introduction to Food and Ag Law, Introduction to Mushroom Culture, Practical Beekeeping, Integrated Pest Management, and Sustainable Agriculture.
Tuition for the associate degree program is $16,439 per year.
8. Lake Area Technical College
Lake Area Technical College (LATC) offers an agriculture program with an option for agri-business. The agri-business option is ideal for students who are interested in pursuing careers in various areas of business and agriculture.
The associate degree in agri-business takes about 20 months(1 year and 8 months) to complete. Lake Area Technical College offers one of the quickest completion times for an associate’s in agriculture. The online associate program covers topics like Ag Safety, Commodity Futures and Options, Crop Science, Principles of Selling, Soil Science, and Agricultural Technology.
Tuition for the associate degree program is $6,718 per year.
9. Southwestern Community College
Southwestern Community College offers an agriculture degree that combines business courses with agricultural science and food production classes.
The online program provides students with the training they require to become future workers in agriculture with specialized training in ag business and farm management.
The associate’s degree in agriculture is meant to transfer to a four-year college or university. Classes are delivered online and cover a variety of agric and business topics including Agri Sales, Introduction to Crop Science, Introduction to Agriculture Markets, Principles of Horticulture, and Livestock Management.
Online students enrolled in the agriculture program are required to complete 68 credits and they must also maintain a GPA of 2.0 to be awarded the AAS degree in agricultural business.
Tuition for the associate degree program is $6,560 per year.
10. Lakeshore Technical College
Lakeshore Technical College offers an agriculture associate degree online program that features 60 credits. The entire program can be completed in four terms and over a period of two years.
The program is delivered 100 percent online with classes taught by Lakeshore Technical College instructors. The agriculture degree online program opens doors to many agribusiness and agricultural industry career pathways. Core classes offered throughout the program covers topics like Agribusiness Economics, Agricultural Finance, Legal Aspects of Agribusiness, Livestock Production Systems, and Management
To add to this program’s flexibility, both full-time and part-time completion pathways are available. Lakeshore holds full accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Tuition for the associate degree program is $4,484 per year.