
Distance Education
CALS offers several degree and certificate programs in convenient online formats.
The increasing demand for highly trained professionals and leaders in agricultural and life sciences can be met with enhanced training and education. However, many practicing professionals and others are place-bound and unable to access traditional on-campus educational opportunities.
Today’s evolving industry calls for complex technical information and knowledge, making continuous professional development critical for new employees and current professionals.
To learn more, download the Distance Education Strategic Plan:
Distance Education Programs
The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) at NC State University offers distance graduate degrees, graduate certificates and distance undergraduate certificates, with courses delivered using a variety of distance education formats. Detailed descriptions of the degree and certificate programs are available through the 18 CALS departments. View all of the CALS distance offerings at the dropdowns below:
Undergraduate Programs
Degree | Program Name | DUP | Course Link |
---|---|---|---|
BS | Agricultural Science | Dr. Joseph Donaldson joseph_donaldson@ncsu.edu | Link |
Undergraduate Certificates
Degree | Certificate Name | Program Contact | Website |
---|---|---|---|
CTA | Associate Certificate in Agribusiness Management | Dr. John Russ russ@ncsu.edu | Link |
Post Baccalaureate Certificate in Agricultural Business Management | Dr. John Russ russ@ncsu.edu | Link | |
CTU | Undergraduate Certificate in Agricultural Business Management | Dr. John Russ russ@ncsu.edu | Link |
CTU | Undergraduate Certificate in Agricultural Leadership | Dr. Jackie Bruce jabruce2@ncsu.edu | Link |
CTU | Undergraduate Certificate in Animal Nutrition | Dr. Shannon Pratt Phillips sepratt2@ncsu.edu | Link |
CTU | Undergraduate Certificate in Crop Science | Dr. David Crouse crouse@ncsu.edu | Link |
CTU | Undergraduate Certificate in Feed Milling | Dr. Adam Fahrenholz Adam_Fahrenholz@ncsu.edu | Link |
CTU | Undergraduate Certificate in Food Safety & Quality Management | Dr. Clint Stevenson cdsteve3@ncsu.edu | Link |
CTU | Undergraduate Certificate in Fundamentals of Entomology | Dr. Clyde Sorenson sorenson@ncsu.edu | Link |
CTU | Undergraduate Certificate in General Horticulture | Mr. Issac Lewis ijlewis@ncsu.edu | Link |
CTU | Undergraduate Certificate in Plant Pests, Pathogens, and People | Dr. David Shew shew@ncsu.edu Dr. Clyde Sorenson sorenson@ncsu.edu | Link |
CTU | Undergraduate Certificate in Regulatory Science in Agriculture | Dr. Keith Edmisten kledmist@ncsu.edu | Link |
CTU | Undergraduate Certificate in Soil Science | Dr. David Crouse crouse@ncsu.edu | Link |
Graduate Programs
Degree | Degree Name | DGP | Website |
---|---|---|---|
MR | Master of Agricultural and Extension Education | Dr. Joseph Donaldson joseph_donaldson@ncsu.edu | Link |
MR | Master of Animal Science | Dr. Shannon Pratt Phillips sepratt2@ncsu.edu | Link |
MR | Master of Biological and Agricultural Engineering | Dr. John Classen classen@ncsu.edu | Link |
MR | Master of Horticultural Science | Dr. Gina Fernandez gina_fernandez@ncsu.edu | Link |
MR | Master of Nutrition | Dr. Suzie Goodell suzie_goodell@ncsu.edu | Link |
MR | Master of Soil Science | Dr. Mike Mullen mdmullen@ncsu.edu | Link |
MR | Master of Youth, Family and Community Sciences | Dr. Annie Hardison-Moody amhardis@ncsu.edu | Link |
MS | Master of Science in Youth, Family and Community Sciences | Dr. Annie Hardison-Moody amhardis@ncsu.edu | Link |
Graduate Certificates
Certificate | Cerfiticate Name | Program Contact | Website |
---|---|---|---|
Licensure in Education for Agricultural Professionals | Dr. Travis Park tdpark@ncsu.edu | Link | |
CTG | Graduate Certificate in Agricultural and Extension Education | Dr. Joseph Donaldson joseph_donaldson@ncsu.edu | Link |
CTG | Graduate Certificate in Agriculture Data Science | Dr. Daniela Jones dsjones5@ncsu.edu | Link |
CTG | Graduate Certificate in Family Life Education and Coaching | Jessica Williams jmwill24@ncsu.edu | Link |
CTG | Graduate Certificate in Feed Science | Natasha Dillion natasha_dillon@ncsu.edu Dr. Adam Fahrenholz Adam_Fahrenholz@ncsu.edu Dr. Robert Beckstead rbbeckst@ncsu.edu | Link |
CTG | Graduate Certificate in Horticultural Science | Dr. Helen Kraus helen_kraus@ncsu.edu | Link |
CTG | Graduate Certificate in Leadership and Volunteer Management | Jessica Williams jmwill24@ncsu.edu | Link |
CTG | Graduate Certificate in Regulatory Science in Agriculture | Dr. Keith Edmisten kledmist@ncsu.edu | Link |
CTG | Graduate Certificate in Watershed Assessment and Restoration | Dr. John Classen classen@ncsu.edu | Link |
CTG | Graduate Certificate in Youth Development and Leadership | Jessica Williams jmwill24@ncsu.edu | Link |
Distance Education Courses
There are three ways to access and register for distance education courses in CALS:
- Most courses are scheduled through Distance Education and Learning Technology Applications (DELTA). Available distance education courses, tuition rates, registration information and other student support information are provided.
- Several distance education courses are also scheduled through Registration & Records, similar to face-to-face courses. For example, if you want to enroll in BIO181 (Fall 2011), enter the “Schedule of Courses” and scroll down till you find those BIO181 sections where “Distance Education-Internet” is listed under “Room”. These are the same courses listed under DELTA, however, tuition for these courses is different and can be found at http://www.fis.ncsu.edu/cashier/tuition/.
- If enrolled in an AG*IDEA degree or certificate program, courses are available through CALS or cooperating Universities. Tuition information is also provided.
Other Distance Education Pathways

CALS Community of Practice
CALS Community of Practice is one of many strategies in the new Distance Education Strategic Plan. The strategy will build a community around pedagogy, teaching resources, educational trends and research.
The practice is held virtually twice a semester. Guest speakers can bring awareness to various education topics within the college. Guest speakers are welcome to host a formal presentation or lead an informal discussion about teaching resources, research, helpful educational tips and more.
CALS Community of Practice promotes the efforts of CALS faculty, celebrates educational success, shares resources and research that aid in educational efforts and builds a strong community of educators and supporters that serve the college.