Best Online Masters Programs in Soil Science and Agronomy

Advance your career with an Online Master's Degree in Crop Sciences. Our program focuses on relevant agricultural issues backed by the academic reputation of a world-class research institution.

Over a decade ago, the school began offering soil science courses at an off-campus location to facilitate training of non-soil scientists, enabling them to meet the educational requirements for certification as a Professional Soil Scientist. Eventually this program developed into a 30-credit program that upon completion, grants a Master of Science degree in Plant and Soil Sciences. Although the degree is in Plant and Soil Sciences, our off-campus program is limited to the field of soil science. This program is designed to meet the needs of working professionals who do not have the time or the opportunity to enroll in a traditional, full-time graduate program. Most students enrolled in our classes want to further their education because it expands their technical expertise. Others have used the advanced training for job advancement.

The Master of Soil Science enhances professional skills and expertise essential to evaluating land for a variety of uses. These include wetlands protection and restoration, on-site waste disposal, forest management, horticulture, and agriculture.

The program allows students to increase their technical knowledge as well as develop field skills for understanding how soils should best be managed to maintain environmental quality and human health. The program requires 36 credit hours, including enrollment in two field-based short courses.

The Crop Sciences online M.S. degree program is for students with a Bachelor's degree in crop sciences or related biological, physical, or agricultural fields. Through this program, match the specific career needs and interests with courses spanning plant physiology to integrated pest management (IPM).

The degree consists of 32 hours of coursework, including 12 hours at the 500 level. Students will have five years to obtain an M.S. degree in this program.But it can be completed in two years also.

WSU’s Master of Science in Agriculture (MSAG) program, offered entirely online, is designed for agricultural professionals, practitioners, and educators who wish to gain knowledge and skills and boost their careers. The program’s flexible, fully-online format is ideal for working professionals who want to achieve their academic and career goals with continuing with their careers. The MSAG Plant Health and Management option combines WSU’s world-renowned plant science graduate programs with business courses in executive management.

The plant health and management option provides students with a solid core curriculum in agricultural science focusing on valuable practical knowledge and skills for agricultural professionals. You will also take course specializing in plant health, business and management. This combination of science and business courses means that graduates will be uniquely qualified to meet the increasing demand for managers who understand science and research as well as business and industry economics.

Courses include entomology, plant pathology, crop and soil science, along with training in economics and organizational management. Upon graduating, you will be fully qualified to manage commercial‐scale agricultural or horticultural operations, including farms, greenhouses, landscapes and parks. You will also be able to diagnose and address problems associated with plant pathogens, insects and weeds, as well as environmental factors, including soil, that impact plant health.