Online Agriculture Schools and Colleges: How to Choose

Numerous universities and colleges offer online agriculture schools to accommodate working professionals or those seeking a career change. With certificate, bachelor's degree and master's degree programs available, students can utilize online discussion forums, chat rooms and interactive television to learn.

How to Select an Online Agriculture School

Award Levels

When students are selecting an online agriculture school, it is important to consider the credential level desired. Online agriculture certificate programs can be completed in as little as one semester but generally take at least one year to finish. Distance learning agriculture bachelor's degree programs can take four years to complete, and students must obtain at least 120 credit hours, including general education courses. Online agriculture master's degree programs typically take 1-2 years to complete, with students earning around 36 credit hours.

Program Types

Before enrolling in an online agriculture program, students will want to know if the program offered is fully or partially online, since some agriculture programs may require students to partake in internships. These internships are approved on a school-by-school basis, with students expected to complete a specific number of hours at the business location. A written paper about the internship experience may also be necessary.

List of Online Agriculture Programs

Online Certificate of Completion in Organic Agriculture

An online certificate program in organic agriculture teaches students about agriculture and food systems. Courses cover areas such as gardening, farming, sustainable agriculture, soil, botany, medicinal plants and food safety. Students can participate in coursework on their own time and communicate with other classmates through online discussion forums, chat rooms or message boards. Internet access and multimedia software are required, and lectures and videos may be presented through a course management system.

Online Bachelor of Science in Agriculture

A distance learning bachelor's degree program in agriculture focuses on crop and soil science as well as agriculture business management, also called agribusiness. Students may need to meet prerequisites, such as specific biology classes and labs, before enrolling in the online program. Online agriculture classes include agricultural finance, farm implements, animal nutrition, agricultural law, commodities pricing and forage production. Courses may be offered through interactive television, videos, learning modules or independent study.

Online Master of Agriculture

An online master's degree program in agriculture can focus on a specific area within the field, such as education, horticulture, poultry science, agronomy or resource management. Students learn about agricultural communications, pesticides, soil physics, rural sociology, animal agriculture and arboriculture. Courses are presented through program-based websites or course management systems such as Blackboard. A thesis is usually not required, but an internship with a local agency may be part of the program.