Agriculture (MS, PhD)

The Master of Science in Agriculture (M.S.) is designed as an applied research degree program that will fulfill the needs of the agricultural and natural resource sectors of the South Carolina Economy. The M.S. program will offer both a thesis and non-thesis option. Graduates will contribute significantly to improving the technical and economic competitiveness of agribusiness, advancing economic development and growth, and the educational needs of the state. The program offers two-degree concentrations in (1) Agricultural Systems Management and (2) Agricultural Education. The first option allows a student to focus on the design and maintenance of equipment and processes critical to the long-term sustainability of these industries.  The second option provides students the opportunity to combine their previous knowledge of agriculture and natural resource management with educational principles to better serve client needs ranging from educating youth to educating the farm community. The M.S. program provides advanced training and education to students interested in expanding their knowledge and expertise in the promotion and growth of South Carolina’s agricultural economy and/or the protection and efficient management of the state’s valuable environmental and natural resources.

Requirements (in addition to Graduate School requirements)

To apply to the MS in Agriculture program, follow the instructions at www.grad.clemson.edu/admission/index.php and complete the online application. Applications should be completed by April 15 for the fall semester. Students who apply for the spring semester need to complete their applications no later than October 15. However, with a delay in student VISAs, international students should apply a month earlier than these deadlines.

GRE Score

Admitted students usually have a combined score of 300 or higher for verbal and quantitative and 3.5 or higher for analytical writing. The respective median scores of recently enrolled students on the verbal, quantitative, and analytical writing parts of the GRE are approximately 154, 152, and 4.0. We do not provide a GRE waiver. Any applicant with a total GRE score (Verbal and Quantitative combined) or an analytical writing score below these levels must be able to submit exceptional supporting materials to have a competitive application (transcript, reference letters, and other supporting documents such as published papers).

GPA

A cumulative grade point average of 3.0 from undergraduate degree institution and Master's degree institution (if applicable).

TOEFL (international students)

Because of the strong communication component of graduate degree programs, non-native speakers of English should have a minimum TOEFL score of 80. IELTS can be taken in lieu of TOEFL. Minimum score accepted on the IELTS is 6.5.

Dates and deadlines

Applications should be completed by April 15 for the fall semester. Students who apply for the spring semester need to complete their applications no later than October 15. However, with a delay in student VISAs, international students should apply a month earlier than these deadlines.

Support Mechanisms

Students are typically funded through RAs and TAs. Some students though are self-funded.

Fees

No Program-specific Fees apply to the Graduate Program.

Transfer Credits

The Program follows Graduate School guidelines for transfer credits.

The purpose of the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Agriculture is to develop leaders of professions in agricultural systems and agricultural education. This will be accomplished by preparing graduates for academic and technically demanding agricultural positions in the academic, government and private sectors of the economy. Specifically, this degree is designed to add significant depth to an individual's understanding of pedagogy and scholarship in agricultural and natural resources, as well as technological and policy-based issues. The target audience of the doctoral program will include, but will not be limited to, secondary agricultural educators and cooperative extension agents seeking to pursue post-secondary academic education. Professionals from agricultural industries and governmental agencies are also expected to be potential candidates in the agricultural systems management or the agricultural education concentrations for the Ph.D. program.