Plant Agriculture

Interdepartmental Program
No
The world needs people like you! Turn your passion for teaching and love of agriculture into an impactful career.
People sitting around talking

Iowa State University is famous for teaching agriculture, and our Master of Science in agricultural education curriculum gives you tools you need to get noticed and excel in a career as an agriculture teacher, extension or outreach professional, or agriculture communicator. If you want to stand out in agricultural education, there’s simply nowhere better than Iowa State.

Thanks to this online program, you now have access to that renowned education no matter where you are.

Develop your career without leaving current employment. Signal to your employer that you are committed to developing your skills and knowledge. Note: Resident instruction is required for the teacher certification option.


Degrees Offered: 

  • Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
  • Master of Science (M.S.)
  • Online Master of Science (M.S.)

Area(s) of Specialization: (may appear on ISU transcripts after graduation)

  • Agricultural Extension Education (M.S., Ph.D.)

How long does it take to earn a degree?

  • Median time to earn the doctorate: 2.9 years (Methods)
  • Median time to earn the master’s: 2.3 years (Methods)
Program Degrees Offered

Learning Goals

  • Select, organize, and implement appropriate delivery systems to fit a variety of teaching and learning situations.
  • Model and utilize appropriate learning principles and theories in agriculturally related learning situations.
  • Select, organize, and implement appropriate formative and summative evaluation strategies for accountability and program improvement.
  • Develop a foundation for one’s personal philosophy of agricultural education by synthesizing and evaluating appropriate philosophical models.
  • Develop and evaluate appropriate strategies for analyzing and assessing educational needs, situations, and processes.
  • Organize educational programs utilizing appropriate planning and development models.
  • Organize and evaluate international agricultural education programs based upon the principles of technology transfer.
  • Design, conduct, report, and evaluate quantitative and qualitative research utilizing appropriate design and analysis models.
  • Organize, conduct, and evaluate activities that further the mission of Agricultural Education, provide growth opportunities for its practitioners, and foster development of a vision for the profession.
  • Monitor the development of trends and administration of policies in and outside the discipline of Agricultural Education and explain their impact or potential impact on the discipline.
515-294-5872

Paige Zhorne

agedsinfo@iastate.edu
Agricultural Education
201 Curtiss Hall
513 Farm House Lane
Iowa State University
Ames, IA 50011-1050

Program Homepage Program Handbook

Application Requirements

Application Deadlines:

Doctoral applicants: March 15 for summer or fall admission, October 15 for spring admission.

Master's applicants: Evaluated on a rolling admission cycle

Application Details:

This program is open to domestic and international students.

Application Instructions

Admission Requirements

Graduate College Requirements:

  • 4 year Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent)
  • Academic Records/Transcripts
  • Minimum 3.0 GPA (Program may alter requirement.)
  • Proof of English Proficiency.

Program Specific Requirements:

  • For PhD: evidence of 3 years of relevant professional experience clearly shown on the resume
  • Three letters of reference. At least one letter of recommendation should be from a university professor. Ask your university references to comment on your past academic performance, potential to succeed in graduate school, character and work habit.
  • It is recommended that the other two letters be from professionals in education or business and industry who are familiar with your overall abilities and goals. Ask references to be specific and identify factors that will help the admissions committee.
  • Please do not ask friends and relatives to submit reference letters.
  • Program Requires GRE: No
  • Program Requires GMAT: No
  • Program Will Review Without TOEFL or IELTS: No

International Requirements:

  • Financial Statement:  Application
  • English Proficiency Minimum:
    TOEFL Paper (PBT) 550
    TOEFL Internet (iBT) 79
    IELTS 6.5
    PTE 53
    Duolingo (approved through spring 2026) 115
Does this Program Offer a Distance Option?
Yes
Degree Specialization
Program offers a Coursework Only?
No
Program Director
ngs@iastate.edu
Program Staff
pezhorne@iastate.edu
suzshow@iastate.edu
Interdepartmental Program
No
The Iowa State University Ph.D. program has majors in economics and agricultural economics. Students receive a solid foundation in economic theory and statistical methods with the flexibility to pursue broad areas of study. The rigorous training in theoretical and applied economics prepares graduates to compete for research and teaching positions in leading academic institutions, government, and industry.
man in field

The Department of Economics at Iowa State University presents a unique tradition of excellence in graduate education, overseeing a Ph.D. Program in both economics and agricultural economics. 


Degrees Offered:

  • Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
  • Master of Science (M.S.)

How long does it take to earn a degree?

  • Median time to earn the doctorate: 5.0 years (Methods)
  • Median time to earn the master’s: 1.0 year (Methods)
Program Degrees Offered

Learning Goals

  • Demonstrate comprehensive understanding of scholarly literature in economics and an ability to critically evaluate it.
  • Articulate research objectives that, when met, will lead to significant contributions to economic knowledge.
  • Effectively apply theory and qualitative and quantitative empirical methods to address research questions; understand how to acquire, analyze, and report data.
  • Interpret research results appropriately, integrating them into existing knowledge in the discipline.
  • Clearly and accurately communicate research findings orally and in writing.
  • Always conduct scholarship, whether independently or in teams, in ways that reflect ethical practice and professionalism.
515-294-2702

Amy B. Emmett

econgrad@iastate.edu
260 Heady Hall
518 Farm House Lane
Ames, Iowa 50011-1054

Program Homepage Program Handbook

Application Requirements

Application Deadlines:

January 15 of the year you are seeking fall admission. We do not offer spring or summer admission.

Application Details:

This program is open to domestic and international students.

Application Instructions

Admission Requirements

Graduate College Requirements:

  • 4 year Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent)
  • Academic Records/Transcripts
  • Minimum 3.0 GPA (Program may alter requirement.)
  • Proof of English Proficiency.

Program Specific Requirements:

International Requirements:

  • Financial Statement:  Application
  • English Proficiency Minimum:
    TOEFL Paper (PBT) 570
    TOEFL Internet (iBT) 88
    IELTS 6.5
    PTE 59
    Duolingo (approved through spring 2026) 115
Program Department
Does this Program Offer a Distance Option?
No
Program offers a Coursework Only?
No
Program Director
bkreider@iastate.edu
Program Staff
abainum@iastate.edu
Interdepartmental Program
No
Looking for a great place to study? Our graduates safeguard and improve the earth, its resources and its people. Ignite your future here in ABE and design projects, apply solutions and more.
Student in corn field with robot

Our graduates safeguard and improve the earth, its resources, and its peoples. Whether you become an agricultural engineer, a biological systems engineer, an agricultural system technologist or an industrial technologist, you’ll find an exciting career in which you can make a difference. The subjects we cover are diverse, but they all come together in designing and/or managing 21st century technology systems that impact peoples lives.


Degrees Offered:

  • Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
  • Master of Engineering (M.Engr.)
  • Master of Science (M.S.)

Area(s) of Specialization: (may appear on ISU transcripts after graduation)

  • Predictive Plant Phenomics (Ph.D.)

How long does it take to earn a degree?

  • Median time to earn the doctorate: 4.0 years (Methods)
  • Median time to earn the master’s: 1.9 years (Methods)

Learning Goals

  • Solve problems and think critically about their focus area
  • Analyze and interpret data
  • Communicate effectively
  • An ability to design and conduct independent research that informs decision making (PhD students)
  • A deep and robust understanding of the relevant literature and problems related to their research (PhD students)
515-294-9449

Joanne Kuntz

abegradinfo@iastate.edu
Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering
Graduate Program
1320 Elings Hall
Iowa State University
Ames, IA 5011-3080

Program Homepage Program Handbook

Application Requirements

Application Deadlines:

International Applicants should apply for priority consideration by February 2 for fall semester, and July 1 for spring semester. International applicants will be asked to delay their admission to the following spring or fall semester in the following instances: Application for fall semester received after April 1; Application for spring semester received after August 1. Domestic Applicants are encouraged to follow the same application deadlines above to have full consideration for assistantships.

Application Details:

This program is open to domestic and international students.

Application Instructions

Admission Requirements

Graduate College Requirements:

  • 4 year Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent)
  • Academic Records/Transcripts
  • Minimum 3.0 GPA (Program may alter requirement.)
  • Proof of English Proficiency.

Program Specific Requirements:

  • Statement of Purpose (Indicate field of interest, proposed research area, how this degree will help meet your long-term goals, and how you are prepared to be successful in this area of research)
  • Program Requires GRE: No
  • Program Requires GMAT: No
  • Program Will Review Without TOEFL or IELTS: No

International Requirements:

  • Financial Statement:  Application
  • English Proficiency Minimum:
    TOEFL Paper (PBT) 550
    TOEFL Internet (iBT) 79
    IELTS 6.5
    PTE 53
    Duolingo (approved through spring 2026) 115
Program Virtual Tour
Does this Program Offer a Distance Option?
No
Degree Specialization
Program offers a Coursework Only?
Yes
Program Director
sfreeman@iastate.edu
Program Staff
jkuntz@iastate.edu
Postdoc Contact
sfreeman@iastate.edu
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