Agriculture Programs of Study
Southern Utah University’s roots are deeply embedded in the study of agriculture. In fact, over a century ago, general agriculture was one of the first programs offered by the university. Today, as a student in SUU’s Agricultural Sciences and Industries program, you will study in the classroom the latest science behind farming, and then experience what you’ve studied first hand on the university’s 800-acre farm and 2,800-acre mountain property.
Many students in the program complete internships to gain valuable job experience before graduation. A number of our students have interned at government agencies such as the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the National Park Service (NPS), Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), and other such potential employers. Some have interned on farms and ranches in the Cedar City, Utah, region.
Between the strong reputation of the Southern Utah University program, the internship experiences our students undertake, and the high quality of our graduates, the Agricultural Sciences and Industries program has earned an excellent track record for job placement of graduates in the agriculture field.
Agriculture Studies at SUU
As a student in this bachelor’s degree program, you will take a common core of classes and then choose an area of emphasis in which you will take more specialized courses. Areas of emphasis include:
- Plant Science
- Animal Science
- Agricultural Business
- Equine Science
- Range Management and Natural Resources
Students also have the option to customize a general agricultural degree program to achieve specific career goals.
While lower division Agricultural Sciences classes may include between 30-40 students, upper-division courses in this degree program are much smaller and include only 10-15 students. This intimate learning environment gives instructors an opportunity to work closely with all students and help them fine-tune their career plans to meet their personal objectives.
Bachelor Degrees
- BIS in Agricultural Science & Industry
(with emphases in Agribusiness, Animal Science, Plant Science, Natural Resources and General Agriculture)
Associate Degrees
Minors
Certificates
Career and Salary Potential for Agricultural Sciences and Industries Graduates
A bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Sciences and Industries can open career options in many different directions. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics gives information about a few of these positions.
| Position | Median average annual salary | Anticipated growth through 2022 |
|---|---|---|
|
Agricultural and food scientist |
$58,610 |
9 percent |
|
Conservation scientist or forester |
$59,060 |
3 percent |
|
Farmers or ranchers |
$69,300 |
-19 percent |
|
Agricultural sales |
$57,870 |
9 percent |
