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Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness Economics

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The Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness Economics is the only business-related major in the College of Agricultural, Life, and Physical Sciences at SIU. Students gain a wealth of knowledge and experience in all aspects of business, policy, and marketing principles related to agricultural, food, biofuels, and fiber sectors. Our program prepares future leaders in this growing industry and over 90% of students have secured a job by graduation.

Through concentrated coursework in our state-of-the art classrooms, research projects, laboratory, and real-world experience, graduates in this diverse program are prepared for career opportunities with Fortune 500 companies, managing agribusinesses and family farms, in government policy making, and commodity marketing and trade.

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Bachelor of Science

The undergraduate major can be accomplished by fulfilling the requirements for the Bachelor of Science (BS) degree.

  • Total Degree Requirements: 120 credit hours
  • University Core Curriculum: 39 credit hours
  • Agribusiness Economics Requirements: 58 credit hours
  • General Electives: 23 credit hours

Compass IconCheck out the Curricular Guide which helps you outline what courses you would want to take each semester for all four years. View all related courses.

Program Tracks

Our Agribusiness Economics program offers five tracks for undergraduate students. Our customized study option is tailored to fit your specific aspirations as an Agribusiness Economics professional.

  • Agribusiness Management and Finance, where students learn how to manage an agribusiness with a focus on pricing analysis, investments, and commodities in agribusiness.
  • Energy and Environmental Policy concentrates on methods for obtaining energy from natural resources and bio-fuels and the importance and application of policies to protect and utilize our water, land, and wind.
  • Farm Business Management prepares future professionals to successfully manage a farm in today’s evolving world.
  • Pre-Law (Agricultural / Environmental) targets policy and law related to agriculture and the environment.
  • Sales and Marketing centers on pricing, merchandising, and trades of agricultural products and services.

Minor

Our Agribusiness Economics minor is an exciting option and open to agriculture majors and non-majors alike. Use the business and management skills you will learn as applied to agriculture to complement your major degree program. An Agribusiness Economics minor enhances careers in real estate, law, veterinary, human resources, and even government statistics and pricing.

The minor only requires 15 hours - three of which are University Core Curriculum.

Facilities

The Department of Agribusiness Economics provides students with access to cutting-edge informational, technological, laboratory-focused, and real-world resources. These include:

  • Commodity market information systems
  • State-of-the-art instructional and multimedia presentation facilities
  • Global Information Systems (GIS) laboratories and equipment
  • University library system with over 2.2 million volumes and 16,000 current periodicals
  • Opportunities to study financial records and management decisions associated with University farms
  • Access to the daily 'Greenwire' and 'Energy and Environment' to track energy and environmental issues

Scholarships

SIU’s General Scholarship Application automatically puts you in line for every scholarship for which you are eligible. Some scholarships – such as the Chancellor’s Scholarship for freshmen and the Provost’s Scholarship for transfer students – have additional application requirements and deadlines. Some students qualify for tuition discounts, such as the Legacy tuition rate for children of alumni, and the Saluki Commitment for qualifying students from Illinois.

All students pay in-state rates – we don’t have out-of-state tuition. Student employment can help you pay for your degree while the experience helps you learn. We promise -- we’ll do everything we can to help you get here and join our Saluki team.

RSO’s

Exciting and innovative learning and networking opportunities can be found in our recognized student organizations (RSO’s), and we encourage students to participate. The Agribusiness Economics Club takes field trips and tours local agribusiness facilities.

School-wide RSO’s such as Collegiate FFA, Agbassadors, Equestrian Club, Fire Dawgs, and Smokin’ Dawgs are great options to mix applied skills with recreation.

Careers

  • Rural Real Estate Sales & Appraisal
  • Crop Insurance Sales & Adjustment
  • Human Resource Management & Public Relations
  • Commodity trading & Grain Merchandising
  • Agricultural Sales
  • Operations Management
  • Agricultural Finance & Banking

Contact Information

Dwight Sanders
Professor
Agriculture 226E
1205 Lincoln Drive
Carbondale, IL 62901
618-453-2421

Terrance Bishop
Coordinator of Student Transition and Success
Agriculture 117
1205 Lincoln Dr
Carbondale, IL 62901
Phone: 618-453-2541
agsaluki@siu.edu

Incoming students can also contact Kaitlyn Kern in the Advisors office.

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School of Agricultural Sciences | College of Agricultural, Life, and Physical Sciences | 618-453-2421 |