Online Master of Science in Agronomy

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Department of Agronomy and Horticulture offers a complete online M.S. in Agronomy degree program designed for today’s working agribusiness professionals and individuals seeking careers in agribusiness-related fields. Agronomy is the application of plant and soil science to crop production and includes the study of plant genetics, breeding, biotechnology, molecular biology, physiology, biochemistry, weed control and crop management.

The online M.S. in Agronomy is a flexible non-thesis program requiring 36 credit hours of graduate-level coursework, to include a master’s project of up to six credit hours. The project takes the place of the usual master’s thesis. Because this is a non-thesis program, it is considered a terminal degree in that it does not prepare students to matriculate directly into a doctoral program.

The program requires selection of one or two formal minor subjects of nine credit hours each. If one minor is selected, students must complete a minimum of 18 hours in agronomy courses; while a minimum of 15 hours in agronomy courses is required if two minors are selected. Students will select courses in their primary area of study from the courses listed below.

Up to 18 hours of approved graduate coursework from other institutions may be applied to the program at UNL. All degree requirements, including presentation of the master’s project, can be completed at a distance; and students are not required to visit the Lincoln campus at any time.

Admission Requirements*

1. Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, preferably in agronomy or closely related area, with an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher.
2. Minimum of one semester in each of the following five areas:

• Plant production or plant system management
• Soil science
• Biological science
• Chemistry
• Algebra

The above requirements can be met by having satisfactorily completed the courses, taken equivalent courses, testing out of the courses, exceeding the entry level requirements of the undergraduate degree institution and having these courses waived, or by taking the deficient courses early in the graduate program.

*Applicants not meeting all requirements for full admission to the program may be considered for provisional admission.

How to Apply

Required by the Office of Graduate Studies

• Online Application for Graduate Admission
• $50 non-refundable application processing fee
• One (1) set of unofficial transcripts
• If your native language is not English: verification of English proficiency

Required by the Department of Agronomy and Horticulture through GAMES

After you submit your online application to Graduate Studies, please allow one business day for us to establish your access to GAMES, where the following items required by the Department will be submitted online:

• Statement of interests and goals
• Résumé or vita
• Three letters of recommendation

There are no set deadlines for submitting applications; they are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year.

Online Graduate Courses