How many times will I have to go to campus? Zero. You're welcome to visit campus, or even take courses here if you'd like, but
all requirements for the degree can be completed at a distance. All courses are delivered
within the Canvas Course Management Platform. You can learn more about Canvas at Instructor's website. Meetings with your advisor and committee members, as well as presentation of your
final project will all be conducted with modern videoconferencing software.
What are online courses really like? Every course is different, but most modern online courses are interactive and engaging.
Distance education of the past involved watching pre-recorded lectures or sitting
through synchronous class times on video networks and awkwardly communicating through
a microphone. Times have changed. You won't spend the majority of your time taking
notes on lengthy recorded lectures, and you won't have assigned class times. Instead,
your courses will always be asynchronous, which means you log in and learn on your
schedule, not ours. You'll be engaged in creating and developing projects that apply
to your field of study. Instructors will help you learn the big concepts and processes,
then let you apply them in a low-risk educational environment. If you prefer to sit
back as a passive bystander and let someone else tell you what to learn, then this
probably isn't the program for you. If you want to be an active catalyst in your own
education, then you'll fit right in.
I'm employed full-time; will I have time to complete an online agriculture degree? Yes. The online Master's program at Murray State University's Hutson School of Agriculture
(HSOA) was designed with you in mind. Our programs are tailored to fit you, the working
professional. We have recommended sequences for completing your degree in one or two
years, but you can take as many or as few classes as you are comfortable taking. Many
busy students choose the 2-year course sequence which allows you to make steady progress,
ultimately completing your degree in two years, without taking more than two courses
in any given semester.
How much will an online degree in agriculture cost? Murray State University Graduate tuition rates. This rate is the same for all online graduate students, regardless of the state
in which you reside. There's no doubt a Master's degree is a major financial investment,
but it's also one that pays dividends. According to a 2009 report by the Center for
Education and the Workforce at Georgetown University, people with Master's degrees
will earn an average of $403,000 more over the course of a career than their Bachelor's
degree-holding counterparts.
I've heard I have to write a thesis to earn a Master's degree, is that true? No. While some on-campus students choose to write a thesis for their degree, many
choose instead to complete a creative component. As a non-thesis program, all students
in the online Master's program are required to complete a creative component. You
will work with your faculty advisor to design a meaningful project that is tailored
to your interests and goals. Many students choose a project that dovetails into their
current professional work. Guidelines for creative components can be found at the
following online master forms and guidelines.
What are comprehensive exams? Comprehensive exams are conducted as part of your final oral presentation for those
students who are doing a thesis option. If you are a non-thesis student, this will
not apply to you. Your adviser will consult with the other members of your graduate
committee to identify appropriate questions. You will be given the questions a couple
weeks prior to your presentation so you have plenty of time to prepare. During your
oral presentation, your committee members will use the questions to generate discussion
on important topics relevant to your area of emphasis.
Do I get to choose an advisor or will one be assigned to me? You will be assigned an advisor. Your advisor will help you get started in the right
direction. Please feel free to contact your advisor for registration guidance.
What is a committee and will I need one? A committee is a group of three faculty members, including your advisor, who will
work with you to ensure that you meet your educational goals for thesis option students.
If you are a non-thesis option student, this will not apply to you. You'll work with
your advisor to create your committee during your first or second semester of enrollment.
How do tests work in an online Master's program? Remember your undergraduate days of cramming to study for the next exam? Well those
days are behind you. Depending on the coursework you select, you'll have very few,
if any, exams. A graduate degree in agriculture is all about big-picture concepts.
We'll ask you to apply, analyze, and synthesize, but rarely to memorize. Instead of
reciting your knowledge on written exams, you'll have the chance to prove what you
know by applying concepts to real work problems and projects. Your course instructor
will have more information and general guidelines requirements.
Is the Agricultural Education emphasis just for teachers? No. A graduate degree in Agricultural Education prepares you for a variety of fields
in agriculture, including teaching in formal and informal settings, careers in extension
programs, and professionals in agribusiness. While some courses are intended for current
and prospective classroom teachers, many others are designed for professionals. As
businesses and organizations place more emphasis on internal training and professional
development, the need for experts who can train others is on the rise. Many of our
Agricultural Education courses are designed to make you better at building and delivering
training programs in a variety of settings.
