MBA in Agribusiness

Developing Ag Industry Leaders

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MBA in Agribusiness

Accreditation

NDSU's College of Business maintains the highest possible accreditation—a designation reserved for the top 6% of business schools in the world—awarded through the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).

 

Why an MBA in Agribusiness?

If you see yourself as a future leader in agribusiness, this program is tailor-made for you. Combining the strengths of NDSU's College of Business with the Department of Agribusiness and Applied Economics, it focuses on the intersection of business and agriculture.

Designed for both full- and part-time students, including working professionals, the curriculum totals 30-33 credits. The program is primarily delivered face-to-face in Barry Hall, which houses state-of-the-art infrastructure and technology, including its preeminent Commodity Trading Lab.

 

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Contact

Connect with the Graduate Programs Coordinator to start a conversation about your interest in the MBA in Agribusiness program.

Email:
elizabeth.worth@ndsu.edu

Schedule a meeting (in-person or via Zoom):
https://calendly.com/elizabethworth 

 

 

Career Prospects for Graduates

The MBA in Agribusiness was developed in response to a growing need for managers within the specialized field of agribusiness. Graduates of the program can expect to take new positions or continue employment with agribusiness firms with significant responsibility immediately upon graduation.

The program focuses on providing managers of agribusiness firms a solid background in business, while preparing them to make decisions that consider factors unique to agribusiness, such as:

  • production volatility caused by weather, pests, and biology;
  • logistics disruptions;
  • seasonality in production and consumption;
  • long investment and production cycles;
  • and linkages with the government, financial institutions, and other organizations.

 

Commodity Trading Lab

Our state-of-the-art Commodity Trading Lab provides students with real-world learning opportunities in areas such as commodity marketing, logistics, trading, and risk management.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost & Funding Opportunities

The College of Business and the Department of Agribusiness and Applied Economics may provide financial assistance through a limited number of graduate assistantships and scholarships. Applicants must be admitted on a conditional or full-standing basis to be considered for either an assistantship or scholarships. Assistantships include a stipend and tuition waiver for NDSU's base graduate tuition in return for work within the college, reducing the tuition cost by about 66%. The tuition waiver is limited to graduate course work. Awards are competitive and administered on a case-by-case basis.

2023-2024 Graduate Tuition & Fee Costs

Tuition Rate

 
 

In-State Rate

ND Residents
WRGP State Residents

Reciprocity Rate

Approved MN Residents
Reciprocity Application

Out-of-State Rate

All Other U.S. Residents
 

Non-U.S. Rate

International Students
 

Per Credit

$703.44

$875.95

$1022.91

$1182.64

Approximate Program Total (30 credits)

$21,100

$26,280

$30,690

$35,480

Map Key

 

 

 

 

Curriculum

The MBA in Agribusiness requires a minimum of 30 credits for degree completion:

  • 12 Core Courses (26 credits)

  • 2 elective courses (4-6 credits)

 

Core Courses (26 credits)
AGEC 711Applied Risk Analysis I3 credits
AGEC 744Agribusiness I: Agricultural Product Marketing and Agribusiness Strategy3 credits
AGEC 790Agribusiness Seminar2 credits
AGEC 797SComprehensive Project/Agribusiness Strategy (capstone; paper/case)2 credits
MBA 701Strategic Cost Management2 credits
MBA 702Advanced Financial Management2 credits
MBA 703Advanced Organizational Behavior2 credits
MBA 704Supply Chain and Operations Management2 credits
MBA 705Strategic Marketing Management2 credits
MBA 706Information Resources Management2 credits
MBA 707Microeconomics for Managers2 credits
MBA 708Advanced Strategic Management2 credits

 

Students must take at least two elective courses (4-6 credits).
The approved elective courses are shown below:

   FINANCE/RISK
    AGEC 646Agribusiness Finance3 credits
    AGEC 712Applied Risk Analysis II3 credits
    FIN 640International Finance3 credits
   LOGISTICS/SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT
    MGMT 661Supply Chain Management3 credits
    TL 711Logistics Systems3 credits
    TL 721International Logistics Management3 credits
    TL 723Advanced Supply-Chain Planning Across the Enterprise3 credits
    TL 731Logistics Decision Analysis3 credits
    TL 829Supply Chain Risk Management3 credits
   MARKETING
    AGEC 644Commodity Trading3 credits
    MRKT 534Sales Management3 credits
    MBA 721Creating and Marketing Innovations2 credits
    MBA 722Marketing Analytics and Customer Intelligence2 credits
    MBA 723Digital Marketing2 credits
    MBA 724Integrated Marketing Communications2 credits
   QUANTITATIVE METHODS
    AGEC 739Analytical Methods for Applied Economics3 credits
    ECON 610Econometrics3 credits
    ECON 710Advanced Econometrics3 credits
    MBA 751Business Analytics Concepts2 credits
    MBA 752Business Analytics Strategy2 credits
    MBA 753Business Analytics Methods2 credits
   ADDITIONAL ELECTIVES
    AGEC 652Food Laws & Regulation3 credits
    AGEC 674Cooperatives3 credits
    AGEC 720Food Safety Costs and Benefits Analysis3 credits
    AGEC 725Food Policy3 credits
    AGEC 793Individual Study1-5 credits
    ECON 640Game Theory and Strategy3 credits
    ECON 672International Trade3 credits
    MBA 731Leading and Managing Teams2 credits
    MBA 732Managerial Leadership: Essential Competencies2 credits
    MBA 733Managerial Decision Making2 credits
    MBA 734Negotiations2 credits
    MBA 736Managing Workplace Conflict2 credits

 

Prerequisite Requirements

Because the MBA degree is structured to serve students from various undergraduate disciplines, a set of foundation course requirements is needed to ensure adequate background preparation. Students should have proficiency in each of the following foundation course areas prior to enrolling in its subsequent MBA core course:

    • Accounting
    • Economics
    • Finance
    • Management
    • Marketing
    • Statistics   
    		                                                                      Proficiency will be determined based upon academic and professional experience, contingent upon review of the applicant's transcript(s) and resume. If it is determined that the applicant is deficient in one or more course areas, they will be given the option to take an approved undergraduate course in that subject (Option 1) or to complete an online, self-paced instructional module (Option 2). Foundation course completion is not required for admission, but rather should occur before the student enrolls in the subsequent MBA course.

     

    OPTION 1

    Most Common for Current Undergraduate Students 

    COURSE     NUMBERSERVES AS A PREREQUISITE FOR:
    ACCT 200 or 102MBA 701 Strategic Cost Management
    ECON105 or 201 + 202      MBA 707 Microeconomics for Managers
    FIN320MBA 702 Advanced Financial Management
    MGMT320MBA 703 Advanced Organizational Behavior
    MRKT320MBA 705 Strategic Marketing Management
    STAT330MBA 704 Supply Chain Management

     

    OPTION 2

    Most Common for Bachelor's Degree Holders/Current Working Professionals

    Students wishing to complete an online, self-paced instructional module in order to meet proficiency requirements for one or more of the foundation course areas will be provided with a link to register for the module online. Each module has a fee around $125-150. No course credit is provided for completing these modules.


    Contact elizabeth.worth@ndsu.edu for more information.

     

     

    Admission Requirements

    Applications are reviewed on a case-by-case basis using a rolling admission format. The review process is holistic and takes into account all applicable factors, such as past/current CGPA, professional experience, GMAT/GRE score, statement of purpose, letters of recommendation, etc.

    An application file must be completed with all required official documents before it can be reviewed for admission. Admission decisions will not be made based upon incomplete application files and/or unofficial documentation.

    In order for an application file to be considered complete, the following items must be received by the Graduate School:

    1. Online Application
    2. Statement of Purpose + Resume
    3. Three (3) Letters of Recommendation
    4. $35 Application Fee
    5. Official Transcripts (from all institutions previously attended)
    6. Official GMAT or GRE score*
    7. Proof of English Proficiency**

     

     

    Application Instructions

     

     

    * Official GMAT or GRE Score

    Applicants who wish to be considered for a GMAT/GRE exam waiver must make this request with the MBA admission committee.

    GMAT/GRE exam waivers are never guaranteed, but rather are considered on a case-by-case basis. Decisions are made at the sole discretion of the MBA admission committee.

    Examples of criteria that might qualify an individual for consideration of an exam waiver include the following:

    • Applicant has a cumulative post-secondary GPA of 3.5 or higher from accredited or otherwise recognized institutions of higher education
    • Applicant has successfully completed two or more post-secondary degrees (bachelor's level or higher)
    • Applicant has already earned a terminal degree (e.g. PhD, EdD, MD, JD, PharmD, PsyD, DPT, etc.)
    • Applicant has substantial post-baccalaureate professional work experience (typically a minimum of five years) and demonstrated leadership ability

     

     

     

    ** Proof of English Proficiency

    May be met in one or more of three ways:

    • Raised in a country in which English is the only official language
    • Earned a bachelor's degree or higher from a recognized institution within a country in which English is the only official language; or
    • Official English language test score—TOEFL ibt 71 or higher, IELTS academic 6.0 or higher; PTE academic 50 or higher; or Duolingo 100 or higher.

     

     

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