Lincoln University will offer a new master of science degree in Integrated Agricultural Systems starting next summer.
LU Curators approved the program in June. However, the state Coordinating Board for Higher Education, which oversees the state Higher Education department, had to give its approval before Lincoln could launch the program.
A June memo to curators from John Yang, then the interim head of LU's Agriculture and Environmental Sciences department, noted the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics "indicates that the job outlook for agricultural and food scientists will increase by 10 percent, or 3,500 jobs, from 2010 to 2020" - with much of the increase caused by retirements of scientists.
A 2012 Georgetown University study showed agricultural and natural resources graduates with advanced agricultural degrees have an overall unemployment rate of only 2.4 percent.
In a Thursday news release announcing the program's launch, Yvonne Matthews, interim dean of LU's College of Agricultural and Natural Sciences, said: "This degree program will provide our graduates even greater employment opportunities.
"Despite a low unemployment rate for graduates with an advanced degree in agriculture, the number of minority graduates who meet the requirements for employment with the USDA and like agencies is also markedly low."
The new master's degree is expected to "give students a competitive edge for jobs with these agencies, or for careers in the food science industry," Matthews added.
Linda Bickel, LU's Graduate Studies dean, said the degree is aligned with the school's land-grant mission.
"This is our third (master of science) degree offering," she said, "and will complement the graduate degrees in environmental science and natural sciences. This program will provide another option for our students who are interested in research and science."
The program will combine animal, plant and aquaculture production with the management of natural resources.
More information on the new master's degree in Integrated Agricultural Systems is available from LU's Agriculture and Environmental Sciences department, at 573-681-5967, or LU's Office of Graduate Studies, at 573-681-5247.
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