Agricultural Business Management

The University Post Baccalaureate Certificate in Agricultural Business Management (ABM) is offered to any student enrolled as a non-degree studies (NDS) student at NC State University who has already received a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) or Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree. This 15-credit-hour certificate provides students an opportunity to learn basic business and economic principles that are useful in careers in agricultural and related industries. Like all designated university certificates, this program has gone through an approval process at the university level. For information regarding the Agricultural Entrepreneurship Program please click here.

Eligibility

• Must have a Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts degree from an accredited institution;
• Must not be enrolled in a 4-year degree program at NC State; students pursuing the certificate are classified as Non-Degree Studies (NDS) students at NC State;
• Must submit separate University Post Baccalaureate Certificate in Agricultural Business Management application, and official transcript, after being accepted as an NDS student. Please see "Program Contacts" for contact information to obtain an application after NDS acceptance.

Plan of Study

The certificate requires 15 credit hours, as well as a three-credit prerequisite course. Students pursuing university certificate programs are considered non-degree studies (NDS) students for the purpose of university registration. NDS students may register for a maximum of six credit hours per semester. Thus, the certificate may be completed in as little as three semesters.

Completion Requirements: Completion of 15 credit hours from the list of required and elective courses with a grade of C- or higher received for each course and an overall GPA of 2.0 or higher must be achieved upon completion of all required courses. None of the required 15 credit hours may be taken for S/U or “credit only.” All courses must be 601 sections taken through distance education unless special approval is granted for completion of an on-campus section to allow the student to successfully complete the course sequence for receipt of the Post Baccalaureate ABM Certificate. No transfer credits from other institutions to fulfill certificate course requirements are allowed. Four (4) years will be allowed for completion of all courses. The time limit starts with enrollment in the first course. Students will be allowed to defer no more than two semesters after acceptance into the program. Proof of receipt of a previously awarded B.S. or B.A. degree is required by providing an official copy of applicant’s transcript from the degree conferring institution before the certificate may be awarded. This requirement must be fulfilled in addition to other certificate program requirements.

Career Prospects

Today’s agribusiness managers are expected to handle new challenges as global markets continue to evolve. From economic and marketing challenges to supply chain and animal husbandry demands, business owners in this sector must rise to new levels of knowledge and expertise.

Whether you work in farm management, animal health, sales, agricultural imports/exports, plant nursery management or animal processing, agribusiness leaders have to stay on top of the latest in agricultural business management. The Post Baccalaureate Certificate in Agricultural Business Management equips agribusiness leaders with the knowledge and skills required for career advancement in this rapidly changing landscape.