Career Tracks | Agricultural Programs | SIU

This track is perfect for future agribusiness professionals seeking a career in operations management, business management, credit analysis, or agricultural lending. Courses cover a myriad of related topics - each essential to a well-rounded agribusiness professional. Students gain skills in risk management planning, investment analysis, pricing, managerial decision-making, daily and long-term operations, and commodity futures.

Our carefully-planned course structure guides students through all aspects of this unique track, providing a solid foundation for students to confidently enter the workplace. Graduates find careers with farm supply firms and cooperatives, seed companies, commodity brokers, transportation companies, trade groups, chemical and fertilizer companies, and agricultural equipment companies.

Check out the Agribusiness Management and Finance Curricular Guide which helps you outline what courses you would want to take each semester for all four years for this program track.

For those interested in the sustainability challenges our world is facing, make an impact with this cutting-edge program track. This track offers the opportunity to gain insight, knowledge, and applied learning to join others in the monumental task of managing climate change, our natural resources, tenable land development, and analysis and direction of our energy sources.

Courses have up-to-date information and include environmental and natural resource economics, energy economics, rural development, agricultural law, economic analysis, statistics, and applied policy analysis. Those choosing this track will be prepared to work in the public and private sectors of this fast-growing industry.

Check out the Energy and Environmental Policy Curricular Guide which helps you outline what courses you would want to take each semester for all four years for this program track.

Updated methods and evolving technology are just two aspects that have had an impact on the way farms operate. This degree track equips future professionals with the know-how, information, and education to manage any size farm business. From seeds, to livestock, crops, investments, trading, and commodities; this program track empowers those seeking this career path.

This well-established track covers pricing, applied policy analysis, planning, statistics, strategies, marketing, real estate appraisal, and related courses. Future farm management professionals will gain a firm foundation to lead in their field with confidence. Whether it be a family farm or a corporate farm, students learn the skills to meet their economic, social, and cultural goals.

Check out the Farm Business Management Curricular Guide which helps you outline what courses you would want to take each semester for all four years for this program track.

Our Pre-Law track is an exciting program for those planning to practice agricultural or environmental law. It helps prepare students for the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) while developing knowledge and skills in their interest in agribusiness economics. Gaining a thorough understanding of current issues and challenges impacting agribusiness allows for effective collaboration and decision-making.

This track includes classes on agricultural and environmental law, domestic and international policy, and even politics – perfect for those wanting to advance agriculture and environmental issues through the legal system. Attorneys with specific expertise are valuable and often sought after for permanent positions, on a case-by-case basis, and for consultations. This track is for those with a passion for protecting and promoting agriculture and the environment.

A Pre-Law faculty advisor will work one-on-one with students to help select and schedule courses, internships, find answers to questions or concerns, and assist with law school applications. Those interested in attending law school after successfully completing their Bachelor of Science degree also benefit from our close association with the SIU School of Law in Carbondale.

Check out the Pre-Law Curricular Guide which helps you outline what courses you would want to take each semester for all four years for this program track.

There would be no agribusiness without sales. This track helps future professionals become familiar with the most effective methods of marketing and selling agricultural products and services. A Sales and Marketing track focuses on selling products and services to agricultural producers, merchandising agricultural commodities to retail and wholesale sectors, and commodity and grain sales.

Courses include sales and international marketing, agricultural law, commodity futures, price risk management, statistics, and agricultural information technology. The targeted information, skills, and applications of this track equip future professionals with the tact and knowledge needed to thrive in today’s evolving agricultural industry.

Check out the Sales and Marketing Curricular Guide which helps you outline what courses you would want to take each semester for all four years for this program track.

A Customized Study track in Agribusiness Economics allows students to meet their specific educational and career objectives. With their academic advisor, students create a specialized course of study which tactfully combines their individual area of interest with a solid agribusiness economics base.

We offer this progressive personalized track to allow students to achieve their professional and educational goals to assure they are well-prepared for their chosen careers. Through classwork, hands-on learning, and applied research, students gain the necessary tools to enter the agricultural industry in a wide variety of sectors.