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Jamie Cooke’s upbringing on working farms instilled a deep love for agriculture. After high school, he honed his knowledge at the Scottish Agricultural College (now SRUC) in Aberdeen. Seeking a broader perspective, he then ventured to Finland, earning a bachelor’s in international business at Helsinki Business Polytechnic (now Haaga-Helia University).
Fuelled by a desire to advance his career, Cooke saw the potential of a master’s degree. But as he was juggling a full-time job and a family of three, traditional, on-campus programmes were unrealistic. “That’s when I learned about the Master of Agribusiness (MAB) programme at Kansas State (K-State) University,” he says. “The ability to pursue an economics degree tailored to the agricultural industry really appealed to me.”
This programme isn’t your average MBA or MS in Agricultural Economics. It’s an award-winning, meticulously crafted professional degree designed to equip aspiring and current managers for the fast-paced world of agribusiness. It equips them with the tools to make informed decisions, navigate critical issues, and solve problems at the firm level. Analytical and problem-solving skills are sharpened as well, allowing graduates to implement impactful solutions. And with students from 40 US states and more than 30 countries, there are plenty of ways to boost communication and cross-cultural competence.
Cooke found the hybrid model advantageous, offering the flexibility to study from home while enjoying time on campus. Source: Kansas State University
Flexibility designed for working professionals
Unlike a traditional MBA focused on broad business principles, the MAB is a flexible, online programme specifically tailored for professionals in the food, animal health, and agribusiness sectors. The curriculum emphasises informed decision-making, analytical thinking, and problem-solving techniques designed to address the specific challenges faced by agribusiness firms.
One of the programme’s greatest strengths lies in its flexibility. K-State has been a leader in online education for over 25 years, with a strong alumni network of working professionals who have benefitted from its online offerings. Recognising the demands faced by working professionals, the K-State MAB programme is offered entirely online. While on-campus sessions in August and October remain valuable for building connections, international students can now fully participate virtually through Zoom, eliminating the need for relocation. Just ask Cooke.
“The hybrid model was a big plus for me,” he says. “It offered the flexibility to study from home while also allowing me to enjoy the weeks on campus. This balance provided opportunities to study and socialise with classmates and have face-to-face discussions with teachers.”
Course lectures are delivered through convenient thumb drives or downloadable modules, allowing students to “go to class” whenever and wherever their schedules permit. What’s more, recorded recitation sessions ensure students can access missed information and stay on track. Assignments, exams, presentations, research papers, and case studies further solidify learning and develop critical thinking skills. It’s something students like Ivan Alvarado Ortiz enjoy.
Having been in the programme for a year and a half now, Ortiz appreciates the ability to access all materials in advance. “I like the pre-recorded classes because I am able to go back to the material anytime I want,” he says. “I am getting more out of the class vs. having an in-person class. Having weekly follow-ups with the professors is also of great help.”
Ortiz appreciated the online MAB programme for allowing access to materials in advance, enabling self-paced study even in remote locations. Source: Kansas State University
The MAB programme’s commitment to leveraging technology to enhance learning has garnered numerous awards. Both faculty and the programme itself have been recognised by organisations such as the University Professional and Continuing Education Association (UPCEA), National University Technology Network (NUTN), the Association for Continuing Higher Education (ACHE), University Continuing Education Association (UCEA), the American Distance Education Consortium (ADEC), and the Summer Institute on Distance Learning and Instructional Technology (SIDLIT).
Applying knowledge in the real world
The best part? The MAB programme goes beyond theory by encouraging students to apply their acquired skills to real-world situations. Students leverage their workplaces as laboratories, tackling company-specific challenges while mastering new skills. This approach ensures graduates are prepared to make an immediate impact within their professional spheres — something Ortiz can attest to. “I also like the applicability of what I have learned in agricultural businesses,” he says. “I can apply several learned concepts in my daily job.”
This versatility stems from the MAB’s curriculum, which goes beyond traditional business subjects like finance, marketing, and management. It delves deeper, integrating these core concepts with industry-specific topics such as human resources and marketing applied directly to animal health and agribusiness challenges. This results in graduates equipped with in-depth problem-solving skills, a significant edge over those with broader MBAs that focus on general operational and strategic issues. What’s more, the MAB tailors each course to a student’s chosen industry and offers electives for further specialisation.
It’s little wonder then that MAB graduates find themselves employed across all sectors of the food and agribusiness industry, working for companies like the American Soybean Association, Bay State Milling, Dairy Farmers of America, Farmland Foods, General Mills, and New Holland Agriculture. With its focus on industry-specific knowledge, practical application, and flexibility, the MAB programme equips aspiring and current agribusiness professionals with the tools they need to excel in this ever-growing and dynamic field.
Learn more about the MAB programme.
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