Degree – Master of Science in Agriculture, MS
Concentration: Animal Science

Description of Program

The Master of Science in Agriculture is designed to accommodate the demands and needs of students and potential employers in the field of agriculture. The Animal Science program offers students opportunities to apply their knowledge of animals and pursue careers in a variety of animal-related fields.

Learning Outcomes

  • Analyze data, interpret results and prepare research reports
  • Gain admission into a doctoral or professional program at various institutions
  • Apply knowledge and skills gained in administrative and professional positions in animal science and related industries

Admission Requirements:

Students applying for entrance to the Master of Science in Agriculture are required to submit an application for admission, Apply Online (www.alcorn.edu/academics/graduate-studies).

  • Two letters of recommendation
  • Official transcript from an accredited school (if a student has attended more than one school, transcripts must be submitted from all schools attended). At least one transcript must document the student has a bachelor’s degree.
  • Immunization Record

Decisions are made only after receipt of all credentials by the department’s admission committee. The department uses an admission formula to accept students. The entire application packet, including all supporting materials, must be submitted to the Graduate School. Official test scores must be submitted from Education Testing Service (ETS) and must not be older than five years, official transcripts from the sending school, and Credential Evaluations (International students) from an approved Credential Evaluation Service.

Standardized Test:

The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test is the official standardized test required for admission to the Master of Science in Agriculture. WAIVED

Degree Requirements:

The curriculum for the Master of Science in Agriculture in Animal Science requires 33 credit hours of coursework and a thesis for degree completion. An oral defense of the thesis is required for progression to degree completion. Students complete 21 hours of required core credits and 12 hours of required course credits.

Graduation expectations require the following:

  • A minimum of 27 credit hours of graduate instruction must be completed in residence at Alcorn State University
  • Earn no more than two Cs in coursework
  • Write an acceptable thesis and defend it orally
  • Official transcripts on file for all transfer credits accepted by the University

Academic advisors are allowed to accept up to six semester credit hours earned at an accredited university with a grade of “B” or higher for graduate coursework completed. Substitutions of coursework are allowed with the approval of an advisor and department administrators up to nine hours if the substitution(s) meet curriculum requirements.

See Transfer of Credits Policy for additional information.
See the Substitution of Courses Policy for additional information.

Academic Track: Thesis

The Thesis is an exit requirement for the Master of Science in Agriculture in Animal Science. This discipline has specific expectations for selection of topics and the type of non-thesis project. Students pursue independent research on a question or problem of their choice in the relevant disciplines under the guidance of a graduate faculty to produce a five-chapter paper that reflects understanding of the topic and future impact for higher education. The student translates research into practice and may assist a principal investigator in research.

Master Degree Audit:

Before candidacy for graduation can be confirmed, each student progression to degree completion will be evaluated to determine if student has met all academic requirements for course work and other aspects of the student’s course of study and Graduate School requirements. When these requirements are met, the student is cleared for graduation.

Time to Degree Completion

Alcorn’s time to degree completion policy allows 6 years to complete the animal science program. Degree completion depends on the pace a student completes the curriculum. If the time exceeds six years, the student must petition the Graduate School to consider an appeal for more time to degree completion.

See the Student Academic Appeals Policy for Expiration of Timeline for additional requirements

Degree Plan and Course Sequence

Thesis Option
Required Courses (21 Hours)
AG 610 Thesis I
AG 611 Thesis II
AG 612 Thesis III
AS 523 Advanced Animal Nutrition
AS 533 Advanced Physiology & Anatomy of Farm Animals
AS 544 Special Problems in Livestock Breeding
AS 553 Advanced Physiology of Reproduction
PS 595 Experimental Design

Approved Electives (12 Hours)
AE 525 Advanced Marketing
AS 503 Meat Science
AS 564 Special Problems in Selected Topics
AS 566 Special Problems in Feeder Pig Production
AS 586 Endocrine Secretions
BT 540 Molecular Genetics
BT 565 Molecular and Cell Biology
BT 570A Biotechnology Techniques
PS 537 Soil Conservation and Land Use
PS 548 Soil Management
PS 590 Integrated Research Techniques
PS 603 Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

For More Information Contact:
Dr. Victor Njiti ▪ 601.877.6572 ▪ [email protected] (Department of Agriculture)