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Master of Science (MS) in Agronomy Overview
Program description
The MS Agronomy Program is a professional degree program, which requires more credits of coursework than research. This is different from a traditional on-campus Agronomy program, which emphasizes research. The program was designed for professionals working in industry, government, business, teaching, and other professions.
The courses in the MS Agronomy Program were designed specifically for distance students, using the technological capabilities of the computer and the internet. Students will find many learning activities within the course materials to aid in content comprehension (study questions, drag & drops, short videos, “Try this”, calculations, etc.). For the most part, students will not find lecture videos of their instructor, but will be able to interact with their instructor in the form of online Office Hours using video conference software.
Master of Science (MS) of Agronomy Overview
Program description
The MS Agronomy Program is a professional degree program, which requires more credits of coursework than research. This is different from a traditional on-campus Agronomy program, which emphasizes research. The program was designed for professionals working in industry, government, business, teaching, and other professions.
The courses in the MS Agronomy Program were designed specifically for distance students, using the technological capabilities of the computer and the internet. Students will find many learning activities within the course materials to aid in content comprehension (study questions, drag & drops, short videos, “Try this”, calculations, etc.). For the most part, students will not find lecture videos of their instructor, but will be able to interact with their instructor in the form of online Office Hours using video conference software.
What to expect
1.
Students will gain a diverse background in all aspects of Agronomy, including subject matter in crops, soils, climate, statistics, and pest management. The curriculum is organized so that students progress in phases:
- Phase 1 provides advanced knowledge of agronomy
- Phase 2 develops management skills
- Phase 3 integrates both knowledge and management to develop analytical and problem-solving skills
2.
Students will become better communicators thru:
- Discussion boards
- Presentations/term projects
- Agronomic consultations/peer review
- Creative component project
MS Agronomy Learning Outcomes
Students who successfully complete this program will be able to:
- Understand the scientific principles underlying crop management and physiology, plant improvement, climatology, soil management and fertility, integrated pest management, and the interaction of these principles
- Critically evaluate research in terms of design, content, potential application, and limitations with respect to agronomic systems
- Apply agronomic knowledge to real-world problems via application of scientific principles
- Understand moral, ethical, and legal perspectives of agricultural activities
- Understand group dynamics and facilitate the accomplishment of individual and collective goals
- Communicate effectively with scientists, professionals, farmers, other professionals, and the general public for the purposes of learning and informing
MS Agronomy Curriculum
The MS Agronomy Program is a total of 37 credits, distributed as follows:
For more information about each course, including course descriptions, prerequisites, and credits, please click on its name below.
Course | Credits | Semester Offered |
|---|---|---|
AGRON 5010: Crop Growth and Development | 3 | Fall, Spring |
AGRON 5020: Chemistry, Physics, and Biology of Soils | 3 | Fall, (Spring in odd years) |
AGRON 5030: Climate and Crop Growth 3 Summer | 3 | Summer |
AGRON 5110: Crop Improvement | 3 | Fall, Spring |
AGRON 5120: Soil – Plant Environment | 3 | Spring |
AGRON 5130: Data Science for Agricultural Professionals | 3 | Fall, Spring |
AGRON 5310: Crop Management and Ecology | 3 | Fall |
AGRON 5320: Soil Management | 3 | Fall |
AGRON 5440: Host-Pest Interaction | 3 | Fall, Spring |
AGRON 5910: Agronomic Systems Analysis | 3 | Spring |
AGRON 5920: Current Issues in Agronomy | 3 | Fall, Spring |
AGRON 5940: Agronomy MS Practicum | 1 | Summer |
AGRON 5990M: Creative Component – seminar | 1 | Fall, Spring |
AGRON 5990M: Creative Component – final oral examination | 2 | Fall, Spring, Summer |
All MS Agronomy courses are required for degree completion. The program does not offer specializations or course substitutions.
FAQs MS Agronomy
Yes, at least once to attend AGRON 5940: Agronomy MS Practicum, which is held every year in mid-July from Tuesday-Thursday. Students should plan to attend when they are halfway through the program. Students are expected to cover the costs of travel and accommodation to the practicum. Many meals during the week are provided.
Yes, since the first 18 credits of the MS in Agronomy is the same credits for the Graduate Certificate, you may also earn the Graduate Certificate. Since the admission requirements for the MS degree are the same as the Certificate, no extra qualifications are necessary. Please contact msagron@iastate.edu for more information.
Academic Requirements – All Applicants
- A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
- Undergraduate GPA of 2.8 or higher on a 4.0 scale
- Successfully complete the following ISU courses or equivalent at another institution:
- Agronomy 1810: Introduction to Crop Science (3 credits)*
- Agronomy 1820: Introduction to Soil Science (3 credits)*
- Biology 1010: Introductory Biology (3 credits)
- Chemistry 1630: General Chemistry (4 credits)
- Math 1400: College Algebra (3 credits)
- Statistics 1040: Introduction to Statistics (3 credits)
* If you are a Certified Crop Adviser (CCA) the prerequisite crop and soil courses (1810 and 1820) will be waived. Please indicate in the application if you are seeking a waiver.
Meeting the requirements mentioned above does not guarantee admission. You will go through the standard admission process of the Agronomy Department and the Graduate College at Iowa State University. If you do not meet the requirements, we can advise you on preparing for the program.
English Proficiency Requirements
If your primary language is not English, you must meet the university’s English proficiency requirement in one of the following ways:
- Earn a bachelor’s or higher degree from a country where English is the only official language, or
- Submit official results from one of the following exams. The minimum score of one the following to qualify for Admission (scores must be within 2 years of application):
- Internet-Based TOEFL (iBT) 79
- Paper-Based TOEFL (PBT) 550
- IELTS 6.5
- Duolingo 105 (approved through Spring 2025)
Questions about the admissions process?
Application instructions
If you need assistance at any time during this process, contact the Agronomy Online program office
The Department of Agronomy does not offer a waiver for the application fee.
The Virgil K. Webster Award is for returning students pursuing a degree through the Agronomy Online Program who have financial need. The award is $1,500, which is split between two semesters in the academic year after the award is granted ($750 for any two terms – fall, spring, or summer). The award will be in the form of credit applied toward the student’s U-bill.
Students are required to submit a letter stating reasons the student is competitive for this scholarship, previous work experience, and goals once the degree is obtained. Application deadline is generally mid-June.
Most students enroll in only one or two courses per semester while working full time. At this pace, students can achieve their masters in two (2 courses/semester) to six years (1 course/semester). Iowa State University Grad College policy has a 7-year maximum time limit to complete an MS degree.
- The project must show independence and creativity on the part of the student.
- A well-written report must be developed about the project.
- The project must be agronomically related and demonstrate the student’s understanding of agronomic principles in the context of the project topic.
- The project must be approved by the student’s Program of Study (POS) Committee.
- The results of the creative component must be defensible in terms of its findings, conclusions, or recommendations to the student’s POS Committee.
- Research
- Case Studies
- Field Guides (informational publications)
- Literature Reviews
- Instructional Modules
Examples are available, contact MSAgron@iastate.edu.
It is highly recommended that you start your creative component project by the time you have completed 4 courses. This will be the 4th semester if taking 1 course/semester, or 2nd semester if taking 2 courses/semester.
Enrollment in the AGRON 5990M Seminar helps students develop their topic ideas into a workable project. During the semester you will develop a project proposal and find a major professor to guide you in completing the creative component.
You will work on your project independently with the guidance of your major professor. The MSAgron Program has many resources that can help you to successfully develop your creative component. When your creative component is written to your major professor’s satisfaction, you may proceed to planning your final oral examination