Agriculture Degree

The agriculture program at Minnesota West Community and Technical College prepares students to enter the farming, ranching, and agricultural business by combining research and hand-on training. Utilizing a combination of tools and knowledge, the program is designed to enhance and sustain human life by cultivating animals, plants, and other forms of food for basic consumption or for the creation of biofuels and drugs. Program courses include: basic animal care and husbandry, soil science and conservation, and plant care and cultivation. Get more details below including other Minnesota colleges that offer agriculture degrees.

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Minnesota West Community and Technical College (M State)

1414 College Way, Fergus Falls, MN

Minnesota West Community and Technical College, located in Granite Falls, Minnesota, was founded in 1997 through the merger of two previous colleges, Worthington Community College and Southwestern Technical College.

The school has five campuses in total, all of which have individual histories stretching back several decades, if not more.  MWCTC is currently part of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System which manages and, budgets and maintains most of the public institutions of higher learning throughout the state.

Academics

Minnesota West Community and Technical College is a comprehensive institution that provides various services and programs in order to meet the varied needs of residents within its service area. The school offers technical and career training for individuals seeking to obtain an education that allows for the development of skills and abilities related to the establishment and maintenance of long term careers.

Such programs take between one and two years to complete, often employing instructors with familiarity and expertise in the chosen field, and resulting in a degree or certificate upon completion. The school also offers transfer programs for students wishing to continue their education at higher levels. This allows students to complete their first two years at the college, followed by transfer to a four year institution to complete the final two years and receiving their bachelor's degree.

Programs offered include:

• Accounting
• Business Administration
• Carpentry
• Cosmetology
• Phlebotomy

Admissions and Financial Aid

Minnesota West Community and Technical College is an open enrollment institution that maintains the most minimal of requirements to be considered for admission, specifically a high school diploma or equivalent. Interested students may submit an application for admission and pay all fees in order to enroll.

Submission of transcripts and standardized test scores is encouraged, and a placement exam may be required for students who do not have them. Financial aid is available in the form of loans, grants and scholarships and distributed based on need as determined by the Applicant's Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).  Financial aid must be reapplied for prior to each academic year.

Students Enrolled in the Agriculture Program

Get more details below regarding enrollment, academics, and school demographics. Minnesota West Community and Technical College offers an associate's degree program in agriculture.

Students by Gender (2019)

Students by Race (2019)

Source: IPEDS Survey 2012-2020: Data obtained from the US Dept. of Education's Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Data may vary depending on school and academic year.

Career Options for Graduates

Animal Scientists

Description

Conduct research in the genetics, nutrition, reproduction, growth, and development of domestic farm animals.

Career Outlook & Projections ()

According to the BLS, animal scientists employment is expected to grow at a rate of 7.3% from 2014 to 2024

Food Scientists and Technologists

Description

Use chemistry, microbiology, engineering, and other sciences to study the principles underlying the processing and deterioration of foods; analyze food content to determine levels of vitamins, fat, sugar, and protein; discover new food sources; research ways to make processed foods safe, palatable, and healthful; and apply food science knowledge to determine best ways to process, package, preserve, store, and distribute food.

Career Outlook & Projections ()

According to the BLS, food scientists and technologists employment is expected to grow at a rate of 3.5% from 2014 to 2024

Soil and Plant Scientists

Description

Conduct research in breeding, physiology, production, yield, and management of crops and agricultural plants or trees, shrubs, and nursery stock, their growth in soils, and control of pests; or study the chemical, physical, biological, and mineralogical composition of soils as they relate to plant or crop growth. May classify and map soils and investigate effects of alternative practices on soil and crop productivity.

Career Outlook & Projections ()

According to the BLS, soil and plant scientists employment is expected to grow at a rate of 6.7% from 2014 to 2024

Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary

Description

Teach courses in the agricultural sciences. Includes teachers of agronomy, dairy sciences, fisheries management, horticultural sciences, poultry sciences, range management, and agricultural soil conservation. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

Source: Job descriptions, estimated salary and wages, and projected job growth are taken from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).