Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Business

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Arkansas State University

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Business at Arkansas State University combines agricultural knowledge with accounting, finance, marketing, management and business law, preparing students to make informed business decisions across the agriculture industry. The program suits students interested in agribusiness management, agricultural finance, marketing, farm management and related business careers, with practical learning in areas such as trading, land appraisal and agricultural strategy.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students establish their agricultural and business foundation through courses such as AGRI 1213 – Making Connections in Agriculture, ACCT 2033 – Introduction to Financial Accounting, and ECON 2313 – Macroeconomics, alongside biology, chemistry, mathematics and communication requirements. This stage introduces students to the relationship between agriculture, economics and business decision-making.

Year 2: Students develop core agribusiness knowledge through ACCT 2133 – Introduction to Managerial Accounting, AGEC 3003 – Agricultural Marketing, and ECON 2323 – Principles of Microeconomics. They begin applying business principles specifically to agricultural markets and organisations.

Year 3: The curriculum becomes more specialised with courses including AGEC 4053 – Agricultural Finance, AGEC 4073 – Agricultural Business Management, and AGEC 4083 – Agricultural Policy and Current Issues. Students build the financial, managerial and policy knowledge needed to evaluate agricultural businesses and respond to changing industry conditions.

Year 4: Students deepen their career specialisation through areas such as AGEC 3053 – Commodity Futures Markets, AGEC 4023 – International Commodity Marketing, and AGEC 3063 – Agricultural Sales and Services or MKTG 3043 – Retailing. The program allows students to select courses according to their career goals, with the university offering agricultural business preparation that connects classroom knowledge to management and commercial practice.

Focus areas:

Agricultural business management, agricultural finance, agricultural marketing, agricultural economics, commodity markets, agricultural policy, farm management, agricultural sales and services, accounting and business management.

Learning outcomes:

Students develop the ability to analyse agricultural markets, manage agricultural businesses, apply accounting and financial principles, evaluate agricultural policies and make informed business decisions within the changing agricultural economy.

Professional alignment (accreditation):

The program is a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Business offered through A-State's College of Agriculture. The official university information does not state a separate professional accreditation specifically for this Agricultural Business major.

Reputation (employability rankings):

Arkansas State University describes the program as preparing graduates for the ever-changing world economy, with enhanced marketability across a wide range of agricultural business careers. The university specifically highlights preparation for careers in the management of agricultural businesses through its combination of agricultural economics and business courses.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Business at Arkansas State University is designed around practical agricultural-business experience, not just classroom study. Students work with real-world agricultural decision-making through futures trading, farm appraisal projects and interaction with agribusiness professionals, while A-State’s College of Agriculture provides access to a 240+ acre Farm and Agricultural Teaching & Research Center for hands-on learning, research and outreach.

Students can build their practical skills through:

Real futures trading: Students gain experience using a real futures trading account, giving them practical exposure to commodity markets and agricultural risk management.
Farm appraisal projects: The program includes real-world farm appraisal projects, helping students apply agricultural-business concepts to actual land and farm-management decisions.
Agribusiness professional interaction: Students have opportunities to work with agribusiness professionals, developing industry awareness and professional networks alongside their academic preparation.
240+ acre teaching and research center: The Farm and Agricultural Teaching & Research Center provides a substantial hands-on environment where students and faculty participate in research, teaching and outreach.
Agriculture internships: A-State offers supervised internships in agricultural science and agribusiness, normally completed over 14–16 weeks. Students integrate classroom theory with practical work, examine the operations of firms or agencies, and develop workplace and networking skills.
Paid internship opportunities: Most College of Agriculture internships provide an hourly wage, although some government and nonprofit placements may be unpaid.
Agricultural research and extension: The College works with the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture, including the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, connecting students with agricultural research and outreach activities.
Agribusiness decision tools: Related A-State agriculture coursework includes Decision Tools for Agribusiness and Agricultural Entrepreneurship, providing opportunities to apply business decision-making and entrepreneurial concepts to agriculture.
Career-connected internships: A-State Career Services provides Handshake, where students can find internships and jobs, connect with employers, attend career events and develop professional networks.
Agricultural industry events: The College hosts activities such as the A-State Agribusiness Conference, bringing producers, students and industry leaders together around current agricultural-business trends.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Business at Arkansas State University prepares students for careers spanning farm and agribusiness operations, commodity marketing, agricultural finance, government, sales and supply-chain management. The program combines agricultural economics and business administration with accounting, marketing, management, finance and business law, giving graduates a broad foundation for managing agricultural enterprises and making informed business decisions.

Typical career opportunities include:

Agricultural Business Manager
Commodity Marketing & Risk Management Specialist
Agricultural Loan/Lending Specialist
Agricultural Sales & Supply Chain Specialist

Career progression is supported through:

Internship experience: A-State's College of Agriculture offers internships that allow students to apply classroom theory in real workplaces, examine how firms and organisations operate, develop networking skills and gain experience that can strengthen employment prospects and starting positions. Most internships run for 14–16 weeks, and most are paid.
Industry connections: Students receive guidance from faculty and industry partners during agricultural internships, creating opportunities to develop professional relationships before graduation.
Hands-on agricultural environment: The College of Agriculture's Farm and Agricultural Teaching & Research Center covers more than 240 acres, where students and faculty participate in research, teaching and outreach activities.
Research and extension network: The College works with the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture, including the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, providing an additional connection to agricultural research and outreach.
Practical business preparation: Students gain experience in trading, land appraisal and agricultural business strategy, including the use of a real futures trading account and real-world farm appraisal projects.
Career support: A-State's internship framework connects students with employers and provides opportunities to explore career choices, develop workplace skills, receive mentoring and build a professional network.
Agriculture leadership: The College provides student organizations, ambassador programs, advisory partnerships and leadership opportunities, helping students develop professional and leadership experience alongside their academic preparation.
Employment and salary statistics: A-State's official Agricultural Business program page identifies career areas but does not publish a program-specific employment rate or graduate salary figure; therefore, no unsupported salary or employment statistic is included.

Further Academic Progression: Graduates can continue into the Master of Science in Agriculture at Arkansas State University, with available emphases including Agricultural Business & Economics, Agricultural Education, Animal Science, Digital Agriculture, and Plant & Soil Science. This provides a direct route for students who want to deepen their agricultural business expertise, move toward research, or develop specialist knowledge in a related agricultural field.