Agribusiness Management (AG BM)
Program Coordinator Coordinator of Undergraduate Services
Dr. James Dunn Megan Sinasky
814-863-8625 814-865-6220
agribusiness.aers.psu.edu
The Agribusiness Management major at Penn State is an innovative program that offers students the opportunity to study business basics as well as basic agricultural information, and apply what is learned to the agribusiness industry during optional internships and after graduation. The major is a collaborative program between the College of Agricultural Sciences and the Smeal College of Business. In this major, students choose an area of either personal or professional interest to complete a 12-credit specialization, making their degree in Agribusiness Management individualized.
Why Choose Agribusiness Management?
Students should choose Agribusiness Management as their major if they are interested in the business side of agriculture. Beyond that, current students feel they are learning valuable skills that will help them succeed in both business and in life after college. Furthermore, students feel that faculty go out of their way to ensure students not only learn, but they can apply business theory to real-life business situations by using case studies, simulations, and industry visits. Students with an interest in business are encouraged to explore the Agribusiness Management major as an alternative to enrollment in the Smeal College of Business.
Successful Students
Successful students in Agribusiness Management are typically very ambitious; highly attentive to detail; are motivated to be successful both academically, professionally, and personally; are active and engaged in departmental and college activities; and have excellent communication skills. Students who have an interest in entrepreneurship, leadership, innovation, and initiative within agriculture and business are very successful while in the major and after they graduate with their four-year degree.
Career Opportunities for Graduates
Graduates of the Agribusiness Management major find jobs in a variety of settings. A large number of graduates work within the agribusiness industry while others branch out into different business venues, or even complete a graduate degree.
Some position titles and employers include:
- Management trainee at Cargill/Sunny Fresh Foods
- Credit Representative at First Pioneer Farm Credit
- Sales & Marketing Representative at New Holland
- Loan Officer at Ag Choice Farm Credit/Country Mortgage
- Commodity Trader at Growmark FS
Other employers include Pennsylvania Farm Bureau, the United States Department of Agriculture, Health America, Penn State Cooperative Extension, and Snyders of Hanover.
Course Scheduling Tips
Agribusiness Management students will be assigned an academic faculty adviser within their first semester at Penn State. It is the student's responsibility to speak with their adviser during each semester, and it is highly encouraged that students seek out their adviser often. It is also the student's responsibility to develop and implement their own academic plan in conjunction with their academic adviser. The student is encouraged to take an active role in his/her education. They can do so by obtaining and keeping a copy of the Agribusiness Management Student Handbook and by tracking their academic process using the Handbook and eLion.
In addition to these responsibilities, it is essential the student and adviser understand the following:
- Students should take AG BM 102 and AG BM 106 as early in their academic plan as possible.
- It is strongly recommended that students who began at a location other than University Park apply for a change of campus during their third semester, and prepare for a change of assignment at the beginning of their fourth semester. By delaying this change of assignment, students may hinder their eight-semester graduation plan.
- Students should not:
- take all BA classes within the same semester
- take all AG BM classes within the same semester
- This can be avoided by using careful planning; by changing a student's campus assignment to University Park after the third semester; and by avoiding a heavy general education course load at the Penn State campus.
- take the following classes within the same semester:
- ACCTG 211
- MATH 110/140
- SCM/STAT 200
- Students are encouraged to enroll in R SOC 011 as it fulfills the United States cultures requirement and a Social and Behavioral Sciences requirement.
- Required courses only offered in the fall semester at University Park:
- AG BM 320, 440, 260
- Required courses only offered in the spring semester at University Park:
- AG BM 302, 338, 407, 408, 420, 438
- AG BM classes are currently not offered during the summer sessions at University Park or other campuses.
Supporting Courses
Agribusiness Management majors are required to select an area of either personal or professional interest to complete a 12 credit specialization area, which allows for an individualization of the major. Six of these 12 credits must be completed at the 300 or 400 level. The specialization courses may be taken in any number of areas, as long as the student and adviser agree that these courses will contribute to the student's educational goals. Specializations of current and past students have included Spanish, Information Technology, Marketing, Equine Science, and Psychology. The specialization courses may be combined with a minor program.
Students should speak with their adviser for more information regarding the Agribusiness Management specialization area.
Recommended Academic Plans
Agribusiness Management: Penn State Campuses (PDF), University Park (PDF)