In the ever-changing realm of agriculture, keeping pace with advancements is crucial. Yet, for professionals immersed in this dynamic field, pausing your life and career to go back to school often seems impossible. Imagine a solution: a flexible, online graduate programme that not only delves into your specific area of expertise but also integrates business-focused modules that you can apply to your current role immediately.
This isn’t just another MBA in Agribusiness or an MS in Agricultural Economics; it’s a professional degree designed to equip aspiring or present managers for one of today’s most rapidly evolving industries.
Kansas State University’s Master of Agribusiness (MAB) isn’t your average graduate degree. This award-winning programme boasts students from over 40 states in the US and more than 30 countries, demonstrating that for K-State MAB, education knows no borders. “For over 25 years, we’ve developed a curriculum aligned with the busy schedules of working professionals,” says Dr. Dr. Allen Featherstone MAB programme director and head of the agricultural department.
Long-distance learning allows you to choose when and where they attend the course. Lectures come via a customised thumb drive provided for each module. Alternatively, materials for modules, such as concise, voiced-over lectures, textbooks, and notes, are easily accessible online through smartphones and computers, and can be downloaded to an iPod/MP4 player. Faculty members conduct weekly recitations, also available online and adaptable to your needs. Sessions will be recorded and archived, enabling you to catch up on missed recitations at your convenience.
Emphasising the pivotal role of technology in enabling instantaneous global communication, Featherstone states that “professionals in the food and agriculture industry need to know more than what is happening within their own country” to grasp the nuances of the global market.
Beyond conventional MBA courses in finance, marketing, and management, this 100% online master’s degree uniquely focuses on business and economics, catering specifically to professionals working in the food, agribusiness, and animal health industries. The MAB also tailors each course to a student’s chosen industry and offers electives to further customise the curriculum to suit their needs.
Each course offers students a diverse array of tasks, from individual presentations and research papers to case study analyses. Students are encouraged to use their workplace as a testing ground, employing the lessons from class to address company-related concerns. This includes providing industry-specific strategies based on current issues, which allow students to make informed decisions by using analytical skills to resolve firm-level problems. Reflecting the complexity of the agricultural industry, K-State MAB involves student collaboration from all sectors of agribusiness, their diverse employment backgrounds contributing to the enrichment of their degrees as they bring real-world perspectives.
Graduate Virginia Guardia and current director of MGAP (Ministerio de Ganadería, Agricultura y Pesca) in Uruguay, highlights the programme’s global perspective as a significant advantage for international students. “The K-State MAB programme broadened my horizons. It provided a comprehensive understanding of agribusiness on a global scale!” she says. “The networking opportunities with professionals from diverse sectors of the industry were invaluable.”
The programme is strategically designed to seamlessly fuse analytical concepts and managerial insights. The latter encompasses critical aspects like human resources and marketing. You can apply these frameworks to tackle your professional thesis. In the final year, you’ll engage in a professional thesis that requires delving into workplace challenges faced by firms. This distinct project, unlike a traditional research-based thesis, empowers you to harness the skills honed throughout the programme and directly apply them to modern-day industry issues.
During her MAB programme, Guardia worked with a cattle marketing programme within a farmer’s organisation. Upon completing her degree, she was promptly offered a position in risk management within a newly established grain marketing division. “I would never have received that offer without earning my MAB degree,” she says.
Over its 25-year history, the K-State programme has earned acclaim for its excellence in international executive education, boasting a network of more than 700 students and alumni worldwide. Recognised for its dedication to excellence, innovation, teaching, and student support services, the K-State MAB received multiple regional and national awards, ensuring you unparalleled opportunities while you balance your current job and life. At K-State MAB, leaders are built, and careers are advanced.
Want to be able to further excel in your field while maintaining work-life balance? Schedule an advising appointment today to see if the programme is a good fit for you, and receive an application fee waiver code worth US$75!
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