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Associate of Applied Science – Technical Agriculture

Department of Agriculture

College of Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics

Associate of Applied Science – Technical Agriculture

Department of Agriculture

College of Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics

On-Campus

Program

57 - 63 Credit Hours

to Graduate

Full-Time, In-State Tutition

$5,010 Per Semester

Free Books

for All Students

Join a Fast-Growing Industry and Improve People’s Lives

Modern agriculture is a modern business in every sense. This essential industry, often cited as the world’s largest, utilizes the latest cutting-edge technology to improve our lives and find solutions to challenges that affect us on a global scale. Whether you want to work on agricultural and sustainability policies to help prevent the next global food crisis or develop new technologies and growing practices, EKU’s agriculture bachelor’s degree provides the skills and experience needed to position yourself as a leader in this evolving field.

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Career Outlook

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the overall employment of agricultural and food scientists is projected to grow 8 percent from 2023 to 2033.

– U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

A degree in agriculture science can open the door to a wide variety of career options across the industry spectrum.

Job Titles Include:

  • Crop manager
  • Greenhouse manager
  • Soil scientist
  • Professional landscaper
  • Food scientist

EKU agriculture graduates work in a variety of fields and positions.

Employers Include:

  • U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
  • Kentucky Department of Agriculture
  • Tyson Foods
  • Neogen Corporation
  • Southern States Cooperative
  • Mt. Folly Enterprises
  • Cooperative Extension Service
  • Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)

The Office of Academic and Career Services is a one-stop shop for all your career and professional development needs.

Services Include:

  • Creating/updating your resume and cover letter
  • Interviewing tips and coaching
  • Career documents review
  • Job search

Why EKU?

  • Free textbooks through EKU BookSmart
  • No application fee
  • Reduced tuition for active-duty military members and their spouses
  • Earn credit for a directed work experience or applied learning on a university farm or at another approved facility
  • Several departmental scholarships
  • Membership opportunities in the Agriculture Club, National Association of Landscape Professionals, student chapter of Golf Course Superintendents Association of America, and Delta Tau Alpha Honor Society
  • Generous credit transfer policy

Program Options

Choose between six specialty concentrations in agriculture that offer the opportunity to tailor the degree to specific career goals and give you a competitive edge in the job market. Options include:

An agribusiness management concentration opens the door to professional possibilities in agriculture-based communications, finances, marketing, sales, and many other professions.

An agriculture systems concentration is a foundation for professions involving material processes and testing, robotics, hydraulic systems, diesel power systems, algebra and statistics, lean operation methods, technical communication, and project management.

A degree in this type of agricultural production can lead to a career in pest control, soil management, horticultural systems, greenhouse operation, harvest technology, agricultural advocacy, research methods, or horticultural issues.

A landscape horticulture concentration gives students experience in careers managing the labor, estimating, bidding and maintenance of landscape operations as well as landscape architecture and construction or in the design, development and management of horticultural sales operations.

Studying a livestock management concentration puts students on a career path to several specialties: livestock evaluation, animal products, livestock feed, management of horses, beef or dairy cattle, swine, or poultry, ecology, animal diseases, livestock genetics, animal nutrition, and livestock welfare.

A turfgrass management concentration enables students to pursue careers in pest management, soil management, turf grass management, horticultural equipment, landscape operations, agricultural advocacy, research methods, or horticultural issues.

Minors & Certificates

Select from a wide range of minors, allowing you to explore interests or make use of prior credits. Suggested minors available for this program include:

  • Agriculture

View the full list of minors available.

You can also choose from numerous undergraduate certificates in specialty areas that complement and enhance your major as you work toward your degree. Suggested certificates for this program include:

  • Animal and Veterinary Sciences
  • Crops, Soils and Resources
  • Greenhouse and Fruit/Vegetable Production
  • Turfgrass and Landscape Horticulture

View the full list of certificates available for completion as you earn your degree.

Curriculum & Enrollment

EKU’s agriculture curriculum combines the latest technical information with hands-on applications in our laboratories, during practicums at our university farms, and through our cooperative education. Small class sizes promote plenty of interaction between students and our outstanding faculty. After graduating, you also have the option to work toward a four-year bachelor’s degree in agriculture with no loss of credit.

A minimum of 57-63 credits are required to graduate.

View the degree requirements:

EKU Academic Catalog

Please review the admissions requirements before applying for this or any program. If you have questions about the program or are planning to register for classes, please speak to the program advisor.

Students may transfer up to 49 hours of credit from accredited institutions. Please note that a minimum of 15 credit hours in this degree program must be completed at Eastern Kentucky University.

Previously earned credits must be reviewed upon admission to EKU for appropriate articulation.

TermApplication
Deadline		Classes
Begin
FallAugust 1August
SpringDecember 1January
SummerMay 1May

All applicants must provide an application and evidence of appropriate scholastic achievement through prior educational experience.

Please note that certain degree programs have special admission requirements. Admission to the University does not mean automatic admission to all degree programs.

The completed application and all required supporting documentation must be received by the University no later than:

• August 1 for fall enrollment
• December 1 for spring enrollment
• May 1 for summer enrollment

To apply for undergraduate admission to Eastern Kentucky University (EKU), submit an application at apply.eku.edu and submit your materials noted below electronically or by mail to:

Office of Admissions
Eastern Kentucky University
Whitlock Bldg. 112, CPO 54
521 Lancaster Avenue
Richmond, KY 40475-3154.

Enrolling & Advising Information

EKU’s College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics is committed to delivering high-quality enrollment and academic advising for our students. We strive to create an atmosphere of mutual trust and meaningful engagement to help students reach their academic goals and have a rewarding educational experience.

Interested in enrolling? Reach out to our college enrollment counselor today.

Photo of Aida Bermudez

Aida Bermudez

College Enrollment Counselor

859-622-2902
aida.bermudez@eku.edu

STEM Advising Information for Current Students

Additional Contact Info

Admissions: 859-622-2106
Academic Testing: 859-622-1281
Big E Central (Financial Aid & Student Account Services): 859-622-2361
Military & Veterans Affairs Office: 859-622-2345

Student Stories & Features

Madeline Bentsen

EKU Forensic Science Graduate
The faculty was tough and fair, they wanted me to succeed and they pushed me to think critically and logically. However, they were very understanding and cared deeply for their students. They helped to prepare me for the field of forensics and helped me strengthen my weaknesses.
photo of Brad Rich

Brad Rich

EKU Forensic Science Graduate
The thing that I feel like many people, including myself, find surprising about the program is how encompassing it is. It’s not all chemistry or biology but also public speaking and critical thinking incorporated with mock trial and capstone that truly prepare you for the field of forensic science. After graduating I realized just how well I was prepared by the faculty in my program, making the transition from education to career seamless.

Madison High

EKU Environmental and Applied Geology Graduate
My degree provided me with the knowledge I needed to get a solid start to my career. I was able to get a job with the Kentucky Geological Survey within a few months of graduating and I am thrilled to be working for them. I also took the ASBOG Fundamentals of Geology exam shortly after graduating and passed it on my first try.

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Contact Information

Department of Agriculture

521 Lancaster Avenue
A.B. Carter Building, Room 2
Richmond, KY 40475

859-622-2228
Fax: 859-622-6676
agriculture@eku.edu

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