14 of the best agriculture graduate certificate programs

For students who are looking to pursue a highly specialized course of study — or those who simply don’t want to pursue a long-term degree path — agriculture graduate certificates are a important option to consider. Many universities offer online graduate certificate programs in agriculture, which may be the perfect fit for someone eager to enter into the ag industry or build upon their current knowledge base.

A graduate certificate can be awarded in as little as two semesters and is more affordable than a traditional degree. Certificates often teach highly specific skills or hone topics within larger fields — as opposed to degrees, which often are more broadly focused — while still building on the knowledge you gained as an undergrad. The value of this specialized educational experience is sought-after by agricultural companies, as well as being readily applicable to a farming or ranching operation or your ag career.

In agriculture, certificates cover such topics as seed business management, sustainable farming, or biosecurity.

Here are some of the most interesting online graduate certificate programs in agriculture (in no particular order), along with the information you need to go after them:

North Carolina State University

Program: Graduate Certificate in Agricultural and Extension Education
Curriculum: Class opportunities include Foundations of Agricultural and Extension Education, Curriculum Development in Agricultural and Extension Education, and Methods of Change in Agricultural and Extension Education.

• Credit hours required: 12
• Background: From animal agriculture to field crops, and from food safety and processing to farm health and pest management, extension agents are a crucial part of the agribusiness industry and community development. Graduates of the Graduate Certificate in Agricultural and Extension Education are well equipped to serve producers, communities and agribusinesses as extension professionals. In addition to work as extension agents, graduates are equipped to teach at the secondary level.
• You can find more information here on the school’s website.

Program: Graduate Certificate in Ag Data Science
Curriculum: Class opportunities include Statistical Methods and Computing for Data Science, Advanced Analytics to Agriculture, Food and Life Sciences Data, and Data Science Fundamentals.

• Credit hours required: 12
• Background: The innovative Ag Data Science Certificate course is training students to meet the high demand for data science expertise in agriculture. Like many data science programs, it combines data management, analysis, computer science and statistical training. But unlike other programs, this training is applied to the agricultural, food, and life sciences. Students will learn data collection, management and analysis methods and how to apply them to practical agriculture, food and life science questions. NCSU students also have the opportunity to develop additional skills in data mining and artificial intelligence using real-world environments.
• You can find more information here on the school’s website.

Purdue University

Program: Graduate Certificate in Agricultural Sciences, Education, Extension, and Communication
Curriculum: Class opportunities include Foundations of Ag Education, Extension, and Communication; Science Communication; and Issues Engagement for Agricultural Professionals.

• Credit hours required: 9
• Background: The ASEEC certificate is a good option for students interested in working in agricultural extension-type jobs or agricultural education jobs. Students complete hands-on projects that teach them how to communicate with a variety of audiences and stakeholders, including colleagues, journalists, investors and more.
• You can find more information here on the school’s website.

Colorado State University

Program: Graduate Certificate in Applied Global Stability: Agriculture
Curriculum: Class opportunities include Issues in Global Environmental Stability; Advanced Issues in Agriculture; and Understanding and Managing Animal Resources.

• Credits required: 12
• Background: This graduate certificate concentrates on topics including sustainable agriculture, urban horticulture, animal agriculture, food systems, and bioenergy. The coursework is designed for individuals working in the field for organizations focused on improving people’s lives through the development of sustainable environmental practices.
• You can find more information here on the school’s website.

University of Illinois

Program: Graduate Certificate in Professional Development in Crop Sciences
Curriculum: Class opportunities include Crop Production to Plant Breeding, Insect Pest Management, Plant Physiology, Herbicide Mode of Action, and Crop Growth and Development..

• Credits required: 8
• Background: The Department of Crop Sciences has a 30-year history of providing University of Illinois courses to agricultural professionals across Illinois, and throughout the Midwest. Students who successfully complete three qualifying online courses are eligible to receive the certificate.
• You can find more information here on the school’s website.

Program: Graduate Certificate in Professional Development in Horticulture
Curriculum: Specializations include Plants and People, Sustainable Production, and Horticultural Science.

• Credits required: 12
• Background: This certificate is aligned with the Online M.S. program in the Department of Crop Sciences. The online course offerings enable students to strengthen their education through part-time study anywhere in the world. It is geared toward high school students, undergraduates, graduates, master gardeners, naturalists, and anyone interested in furthering their knowledge of fruits, vegetables, medicinal plants, and crops.
• You can find more information here on the school’s website.

Iowa State University

Program: Seed Science and Technology Graduate Certificate
Curriculum: Class opportunities include Introduction to the Seed Industry, Seed Production, Seed Health Management, and Seed and Variety, Testing and Technology.

• Credits required: 19
• Background: This certificate will provide a graduate-level study in the science and technology used in the seed industry. It is oriented toward individuals with a business background who want to understand the technical side of their industry in more depth so they can better apply their knowledge, skills, and experience. Seed science, in this case, includes not only the science associated with seed production and use; but also plant breeding and plant biotechnology..
• You can find more information here on the school’s website.

Program: Seed Business Management Graduate Certificate
Curriculum: Class opportunities include Introduction to the Seed Industry; Strategy and Planning; and Seed Trade Policies and Regulation.

• Credits required: 16
  
• Background: The objective of this certificate is to provide students with core graduate level management and leadership skills that will enable them to better serve seed and agricultural biotechnology businesses and regulatory agencies, their customers and their stakeholders, in an increasingly complex environment. In addition to mastery of the business analytical procedures, the students will learn how seed value is created and delivered in market economies, and how government regulation impacts the delivery of value to customers, the appropriate scope of effective regulation, and various ethical approaches to regulation
• You can find more information here on the school’s website.

University of Missouri

Program: Graduate Certificate in Precision Agriculture Technology
Curriculum: Class opportunities include Precision Agriculture Science and Technology, Profit Strategies Using Precision Agriculture Technology, and Machinery Management Using Precision Agriculture Technology.

• Credits required: 12
• Background: This is designed for employees needing a combination of technical coursework in precision agriculture technology that would then strengthen their ability to work within the precision agriculture industry. This program would prepare and/or enhance students’ knowledge of the precision agriculture technology industry.
• You can find more information here on the school’s website.

Penn State University

Program: Graduate Certificate in Agricultural Biosecurity and Food Defense
Curriculum: Class opportunities include Veterinary Infectious Disease Diagnostic and Surveillance Systems; Plant Protection: Responding to Introductions of Threatening Pest and Pathogens; and Agricultural Biosecurity: Protecting a Key Infrastructure.

• Credits required: 12
• Background: Designed for working professionals with or without experience in the agricultural and food security industry, this certificate is open to candidates who hold a bachelor’s degree. The program is ideal for public health professionals, food safety analysts, quality control specialists, plant managers, food safety engineers, food defense coordinators, and food inspectors. The course work can be completed in just over a year and demonstrates a deep commitment to understanding of the vulnerabilities and protection of our food system.
• You can find more information here on the school’s website.

Sam Houston State University

Program: Graduate Certificate in Sustainable Agriculture
Curriculum: Class opportunities include Ag Sales, Agritourism, Entrepreneurship, and Soil Ecology.

• Credits required: 12
• Background: This program will build competencies in the most current aspects of the agricultural industry, including agricultural advocacy, alternative agricultural enterprises, entrepreneurial activities, agritourism, conservation, and innovative marketing strategies. The program is ideal for small landowners, urban farmers, value-added and cottage food makers, educators, or government agents seeking knowledge, professional development, or continuing-education credit.
• You can find more information here on the school’s website.

Texas A&M University

Program: Graduate Certificate in International Agriculture Graduate Certificate
Curriculum: Class opportunities include Global Food and Agribusiness Policy, International Agribusiness Trade Analysis, and Managing Agricultural Development Projects.

• Credit hours required: 15
• Background: This certificate aims to help graduate students acquire specific knowledge and experience in international agriculture to increase their career competencies and workforce competitiveness. Through this certificate program, students acquire focused study and increased understanding in human capacity development, and/or agricultural and natural resource economic trade and policy.
• You can find more information here on the school’s website.

Washington State University

Program: Graduate Certificate in Sustainable Agriculture
Curriculum: Class opportunities include Current Research in Organic and Sustainable Agriculture, Field Analysis of Sustainable Food Systems, and Sociology of Agriculture and Food Systems.

• Credit hours required: 15
• Background: This certificate provides students with an interdisciplinary understanding of practices and current issues in sustainable agriculture, along with the science that makes it work. Students who earn the Graduate Certificate in Sustainable Agriculture may take these skills into all industries and agencies involved in the food chain; from production, processing, and delivery to policy, regulation, and education.
• You can find more information here on the school’s website.

Tufts University

Program: Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems Graduate Certificate
Curriculum: Classes include Sustainability on the Farm; Sustainable Food Systems & Markets; and Sustainability and the Food Consumer.

• Credits required: 9
• Background: This program is ideal for professionals engaged in a variety of food-related businesses and organizations, as well as others interested in implementing sustainable practices for their organizations, partners, and communities. It is critical to understand the broad impacts of the food system in order to create effective policy and market solutions.
• You can find more information here on the school’s website.

Why pursue an online graduate degree in agriculture?

Students interested in agriculture can pursue an online graduate certificate to gain specialized knowledge in areas like precision agriculture, agribusiness management, or sustainable farming without committing to a full master’s degree. This flexibility of being online allows candidates to upskill while working, keep pace with industry advancements, create networking opportunities, and position themselves for leadership roles or policy-making positions.

Of course, more important than simply finding a great program is finding a program that is a great fit for your needs and learning style. There are many more programs out there beyond these, and it’s worth looking into all options in your chosen field.

To find a broad list of four-year college programs, check out this Agricultural College Guide. 

Note: This article was originally published in May 2018 and was updated in February 2025 with new information and additional programs. The data presented on this page was found on the individual school’s websites. Some information, such as tuition costs, has been intentionally left out because of the annual fluctuations related to costs and fees at universities.