International Agriculture

Interdepartmental Undergraduate Program

The international agriculture program provides opportunities to develop knowledge and skills related to the factors that interact to impact agricultural and environmental issues, production, processes, distribution and utilization worldwide. The program puts emphasis on international experience through structured internships and study abroad.

The international agriculture program is appropriate for students seeking positions that require knowledge and experience related to global agricultural issues and their impact on local, regional, national and international policies and practices. Students preparing for careers in the following areas will benefit from the international agriculture program: governmental and non-governmental development agencies, agribusinesses, educational institutions, and non-profit assistance agencies.

Outcomes from participation in this program include developing an awareness for the role of international agriculture in the career development process, analyzing international agricultural issues and policies, acquiring skills for solving problems in international development and agribusiness and experiencing real situations and gaining perspectives about agriculture in a global setting.

International Agriculture as Secondary Major

International agriculture is an undergraduate secondary major that may be taken only in conjunction with a primary major in an agriculture and life sciences curriculum. Students choosing international agriculture will strengthen their career placement with a business or agency involved in international activities. Technical knowledge of a primary major discipline will be strengthened by a global awareness of agriculture and life sciences. A secondary major in international agriculture will give students practical insight into the role of agriculture in a world of increasing food and fiber needs. It is ideal for those who wish to broaden their international perspective or prepare for international work in agriculture.

Student Learning Outcomes

Students pursuing International Agriculture Secondary Major will be able to:

1. Develop an awareness for the role of international agriculture in their career development process.
2. Improve knowledge of international agriculture within the context of College of Agriculture and Life Sciences degree programs.
3. Analyze international agricultural issues and policies and acquire skills for solving problems in international development and agribusiness.
4. Experience real life situations and gain perspectives about agriculture in a global setting.
5. Enhance understanding and analysis of global agricultural issues at home and abroad.

Curriculum in International Agriculture

International agriculture can be taken only as a secondary major in conjunction with a primary major in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. A minor is available to interested students regardless of their major.

The international agriculture secondary major requires a total of 24 credits including the following:

1. AGRON 3420
2. at least 3 credits of an international travel course(s)
3. at least 3 credits of one of the following: world language, agriculture-related courses taken abroad, international internship approved by the program supervisory committee, or additional international travel course(s)
4. one of the following: AGEDS 4610, AGRON 4500, ANS 4410, ECON 3850, or SOC 3480
5. additional courses from approved international agriculture courses, or agriculture-related courses taken abroad.  
6. at least 12 credits in courses numbered 3000 or above from approved international agriculture courses
7. at least 6 credits taken at Iowa State University

Credits used to meet the international agriculture secondary major may be used to satisfy the credit requirement of graduation.

Students interested in earning a secondary major in international agriculture must contact the international agriculture program coordinator. The early indication of an interest in international agriculture allows for effective integration of the secondary major course requirements with those of the primary major.

Students pursuing multiple majors may no longer qualify for federal financial aid once they have completed all requirements for the primary major. This means students should arrange their course schedule in such a way that they complete the requirements for all majors at the same time.

Minor

A minor in international agriculture is available to interested students regardless of their major. Students selecting the minor should have familiarity with agriculture and life sciences.

The international agriculture minor requires 15 credits including the following:

1. AGRON 3420
2. 3 to 6 credits of an international travel course and/or world language, or any combination thereof
3. at least 3 credits from the following: AGEDS4610, AGRON 4500, ANS 4410, ECON 3850, or SOC 3480
4. at least 9 credits numbered 2000 or above from approved international agriculture courses
5. at least 6 credits in courses numbered 3000 or above from approved international agriculture courses, of which at least 3 credits must be taken at Iowa State University
6. at least 3 credits not used to meet any other department, college, or university requirement