Pick your path to success.
We give students hands-on experiences that train them for a rewarding future in the agricultural industry.
Are you interested in working with animals or on a golf course? Do you enjoy growing crops? Or, do you want to launch an agricultural start-up? From production to sales, we have a program for everyone who is passionate about agriculture.
Explore the six majors leading to an Associate of Applied Science degree.
Make yourself even more marketable in the ag industry by adding another area of focus to your degree program. Choose from five concentrations to complete 12 hours of coursework: Agribusiness Management, Field Crop Production, and Livestock, Swine, and Poultry Management.
Learn MoreAgriculture is a multifaceted and cutting-edge industry that incorporates the fundamentals of business activity, including economics, marketing, sales, law, policy, and international trade.
The Agricultural Business Management major combines core knowledge in agricultural business and economics with skill-building in areas such as animal production and management, crop production, pest management and equipment maintenance.
You will be prepared to succeed in managerial positions in ag and ag-related businesses, including:
View the semester-by-semester curriculum for the Agricultural Business Management major.
A growing world population and decreased arable land make it extremely important to explore new ways to grow more crops on less land.
The curriculum of the Field Crops Technology major focuses on sound crop and soil management practices and the wise use of farm resources. Students learn efficient and effective production strategies for the major agronomic crops based on best management practices and integrated pest management principles, agricultural business principles and environmentally sound soil management. View the semester-by-semester curriculum of the Field Crops Technology major.
From farm manager and agricultural chemical sales to seed production and processing and agriculture technician, the sky's the limit for the type of career you can have.
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The General Agriculture (GNA) degree offers students the opportunity to get a degree in agriculture without having to focus on one specific area like horticulture or animal science. With this degree, you’ll be prepared for a job in any area of agriculture.
As one GNA student, Krystal Godwin, put it, “I wanted to learn about both the crops and animals,” and the GNA degree offers her the ability to do so. Additionally, many of our students who choose to double (or triple or quadruple!) major choose GNA as one of their degrees because it is so inclusive. The GNA degree also offers the opportunity to concentrate on specific topics. Our GNA students can choose from Agribusiness Management, Field Crop Production, General Livestock Management, Poultry Management, and Swine Management. These areas of concentration allow students to get the broad spectrum of courses that the GNA degree offers, and also to focus on one area a little more closely. The GNA program also allows for students who come to the Agricultural Institute unsure of their specialty areas a chance to learn about our diverse fields taught here. View the semester-by-semester curriculum.
Jobs in this area include:
Get in on this hot career by majoring in Livestock and Poultry Management
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With the current projections of the world population to exceed 9 billion by 2050, it is critical to prepare students to meet the expected increases in demand for affordable protein. The Livestock and Poultry Management (LPM) Associates of Applied Science (AAS) degree is designed for students with an interest in working with various livestock (dairy, beef, and swine) and poultry (broiler, turkey, and commercial egg) species after graduation. This degree prepares graduates for entry-level management positions in live production, technical consultation or with allied industries. The curriculum includes technical courses such as beef, swine, and poultry management courses; Ag Business courses; and General Education Program (GEP) courses which include Math, English, Humanities, and Social Sciences. View the semester-by-semester curriculum.
Career possibilities include:
The Horticultural Science Management degree is for students interested in growing, installing, and/or maintaining ornamentals, landscape plants and edibles. This program provides a foundation of science-based horticultural knowledge while emphasizing artistic and nutritional principles of plant use. The various courses allow students to direct their learning toward ornamentals and landscapes or small-scale farming. Internships are required to reinforce classroom principles and vary based on the individual. View the semester-by-semester curriculum in Ornamentals and Landscape Technology or Small-Scale Farming.
With this major, you can pursue one of these careers:
Email Mr. Lee Ivy at rlivy@ncsu.edu for more information about the required courses in Horticultural Science.
Students who have an appreciation for working outdoors or for the challenge of creating and maintaining beautiful surroundings may be interested in a career in Turfgrass Management.
Turfgrass managers establish and maintain grasses for functional (erosion control), recreational, and ornamental purposes. They manage people and budgets and use their knowledge of plants and soils to produce high-quality, visually-appealing turfgrass areas. There are ample employment opportunities for well-trained managers in this industry. View the semester-by-curriculum.
Career possibilities include: