Associate of Science in Agriculture

What is the Associate of Science Agriculture degree?

The Associate of Science (AS) Agriculture degree is specifically designed to transfer to other colleges and universities. It contains a curriculum of basic first- and second-year courses which fulfill the general education requirements of most four-year institutions along with core Agriculture program requirements. The result is a well-rounded education that prepares students for the demands of upper level courses and/or future employment needs.

How does it transfer?

The 43 hours of general education in the AS Agriculture degree transfers as a block to four-year public colleges and Universities in the State of Missouri, thanks to the credit transfer policy of the Missouri Coordinating Board for Higher Education (CBHE). This degree is structured for entry into baccalaureate degree Agriculture programs offered at four-year colleges or universities. As a result, students with the AS will go into four-year public institutions with junior standing and with virtually all of their freshman and sophomore general education requirements completed. This degree also prepares the student for the Bachelor of Science in General Agriculture degree offered through Missouri State University on the West Plains campus. Many private colleges and universities in the state also honor the AS degree.

Why should I get an AS degree?

As pointed out above, having the degree ensures transferability of college credit hours at the freshman and sophomore level. The AS degree also is “locked in,” which means the credits will transfer as a block into a baccalaureate degree program, even several semesters after the AS degree’s completion. This degree also provides core Agriculture courses which allow the student to seek employment in the Agriculture field while continuing his education.

Agriculture (AS)

Associate of Science

The Associate of Science (AS) in Agriculture prepares students for transfer to a four-year agriculture degree. The AS in Business includes the general education courses needed for a bachelors degree plus key agriculture courses, customized to meet the individual students’ educational goals. 60 Credit Hours

Written Communications Credit Hours
ENG 110 Writing I 3
Writing II: Select three (3) credit hours
  • ENG 210 Writing II: Academic Writing OR
  • ENG 221 Writing II: Writing for the Professions
3
Oral Communications Credit Hours
COM 115 Fundamentals of Public Speaking 3
Mathematical Sciences Credit Hours
MTH 130 Contemporary Mathematics or higher (Except MTH 197 and MTH 297). 3
Natural Sciences Credit Hours
Select a minimum of seven (7) credit hours of natural science courses, including at least one course with a lab component, from the list below.
  • BIO 101 Biology in Your World
  • BIO 111 Understanding Biological Systems Through Inquiry
  • BIO 121 General Biology I
  • CHM 116 Fundamentals of Chemistry
  • CHM 117 Fundamentals of Chemistry Laboratory
  • CHM 160 General Chemistry I
  • GLG 110 Principles of Geology
  • GRY 142 Introductory Physical Geography
7
Social and Behavioral Science Credit Hours
PSY 121 Introductory Psychology 3
Select three (3) credit hours from the list of approved Social and Behavioral Science Core 42 courses. 3
Civics: Select three (3) credit hours
  • HST 121 Survey of US History to 1877 OR
  • HST 122 Survey of US History Since 1877 OR
  • PLS 101 American Democracy and Citizenship
3
Humanities and Fine Art Credit Hours
Select nine (9) credit hours minimum, from at least two (2) disciplines, from the list of approved Humanities and Fine Arts Core 42 courses. 9
Additional General Education Credit Hours
Select an additional five (5) credit hours from the list of approved Core 42 courses. 5
Institutional Requirements Credit Hours
CIS 101 Computers for Learning 3
IDS: Select two (2) credit hours
2
Agriculture Requirements Credit Hours
AGR 101 Animal Science 4
AGR 215 Soils 3
Plant Science or Natural Resources: Select three (3) or four (4) credit hours
  • AGR 103 Plant Science (4) OR
  • AGR 115 Sustainable Agriculture and the Environment (3)
3-4
Agriculture Elective: Select two (2) or three (3) credit hours from AGR courses. 2-3
Agriculture (AS) Degree Credit Hours
Total Hours Required 60

Degree Notes:

  1. AGR 115 offered in the fall semester and AGR 103 offered in the spring semester.
  2. Math requirements exclude MTH 197 and MTH 297.
  3. Students interested in Agricultural Business or Wildlife Conservation and Management should take MTH 136
  4. Students are required to complete a minimum of three (3) credit hours of math regardless of placement.
  5. Electives must be approved by the department.
  6. Students should confirm transferability of courses with their transfer university before completing courses at MSU-WP.
  7. This degree is a transfer degree and contains the Missouri Higher Education Core Transfer Curriculum (Core 42).

 

Students are strongly encouraged to confirm the transferability of individual courses to other institutions prior to enrollment. Not all courses will transfer or satisfy specific degree requirements for bachelor degrees