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This degree is an innovative approach to joining the demands of employers wanting employees with advanced degrees with customizable degree plans to meet the interests and time demands of students. The program is a unique way to build the knowledge base and academic proficiency of students who would like to further their education in a professional school.
Who should pursue this degree?
Students interested in obtaining jobs in a whole host of areas, including Extension work, teaching, sales, marketing, finance or production should pursue this degree.
Tuition & Fees
Tuition per credit hour |
$558.50 |
Instructional Support Fee per credit hour |
$25.00 |
Tuition and fees listed are subject to change and do not include all possible charges. Additional fees may apply. Please refer to the master class schedule for individual course charges.
What are some potential careers?
An advanced degree in Animal and Dairy Sciences can afford you numerous career opportunities. Many companies involved in animal agriculture are seeking individuals who bring the experience of advanced coursework and the ability to conduct and interpret research to their businesses. In addition to jobs in the animal feeding, breeding, production and health management industries, an advanced degree in Animal and Dairy Sciences can also give you an advantage in the basic and molecular sciences.
What are some potential careers?
Program Structure
The program curriculum is based on a total of 30 credit hours. The program is 100% online. Master of Agriculture students must also successfully complete a defense style oral examination, which can be done over WebEx.
All courses are offered on the spring, fall and summer semester rotation. Students must discuss course availability with the Director of the program prior to each registration period.
Requirement |
Suggested Course |
Credit Hours |
---|
Graduate Seminar |
Animal and Dairy Sciences Seminar (ADS 8111) repeatable |
1 |
Journal Club |
Animal and Dairy Sciences Journal Club (ADS 8441) repeatable |
1 |
Statistics |
See graduate coordinator for a list of approved courses |
3 |
Biochemistry |
Nutritional Biochemistry of Livestock Species (ADS 8333), Principles of Biochemistry (BCH 6013) |
3 |
Directed Individual Study |
Student will enroll with major advisor and complete scholarly work |
3 |
Graduate level coursework within the Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences |
See course rotation table for suggested courses. |
13 |
Graduate level coursework outside of the Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences |
See graduate coordinator for a list of approved courses |
6 |
|
Total Hours:
*at least 12 hours at the 8000 level |
30 |
Course Rotation
Fall |
Spring |
Summer |
---|
ADS 6533
Current Literature |
ADS 6513
Companion Animal Management |
ADS 6114 Animal Nutrition |
ADS 6723 Introduction to Animal Microbial Ecosystem1 |
ADS 6713 Human Animal Bond/Shelter Management |
ADS 6513 Companion Animal Management |
ADS 7000** |
ADS 7000** |
ADS 6523 Interenet Management of Livestock Species |
ADS 8111 Seminar in Animal and Dairy Sciences* |
ADS 8004 Method of Data Analysis in Animal Science |
ADS 6633 Immunology and Diseases of Domestic Animals |
ADS 8133 Endocrine Secretions1 |
ADS 8111 Seminar in Animal and Dairy Sciences |
ADS 6713 Human Animal Bond/Shelter Management |
ADS 8162 Monogastric Nutrition1 |
ADS 8441 Journal Club in Animal and Dairy Sciences |
ADS 7000** |
ADS 8243 Advanced Physiology of Reproduction |
|
ADS 8333 Nutritional Biochemistry |
ADS 8243 Advanced Reproduction2 |
|
ADS 8423 Advanced Meat Science2 |
ADS 8533 Beef Cattle Production Systems Management2 |
|
|
*Repeatable
**Will enroll with major advisor and complete scholarly work
1Taught in odd-numbered years e.g.: 2025, 2027, 2029 etc.
2Taught in even-numbered years e.g.: 2024, 2026, 2028 etc.
Admissions Requirements
Applications for the degree programs are reviewed three times a year. The application deadlines for those semesters are as follows:
- Fall Semester – August 1
- Spring Semester – December 1
- Summer Semester – May 15
Students seeking full admission into the Master of Agriculture with a concentration in Animal and Dairy Sciences program should apply as a classified student. Non-degree seeking students wishing to take classes offered through the Online program should apply as an Unclassified student.
An applicant for admission to graduate study must hold a bachelor's degree from a fully recognized four-year educational institution that has unconditional accreditation with appropriate regional accrediting agencies. They must meet the admission requirements of the Graduate School and the Master of Agriculture with a concentration in Animal and Dairy Sciences.
Regular admission to graduate study in the program requires a minimum grade point average (last four semesters of undergraduate work) of 3.00/4.00. When a student is deficient in one of the criteria cited, the student's application, nevertheless, may be considered for admission based on the strength of other materials contained in the student's application.
The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) scores are NOT required for entry into this program.
Attention International Students
International students are required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and score greater than 550. Detailed information regarding international applications can be found in the Graduate Catalog. Questions regarding international applications can be addressed to the Office of the Graduate School at gradapps@grad.msstate.edu.
- ETS is providing home testing for the TOEFL iBT test, and MSU is encouraging students to take advantage of this testing option. For those students applying who have taken the TOEFL within five years of the semester they plan to enroll and are unable to access the TOEFL iBT test from home, we will accept your previous test scores.
Admission Options
Domestic/International Classified Admissions
- Submit online application. You will choose Master of Agriculture with a concentration in Animal and Dairy Sciences as your Program of Study and Online Education as your campus.
- Statement of Purpose
- Three letters of recommendation
- You will be asked to submit three names and three email addresses of individuals you are using as references. Once you click submit, these individuals will be sent an email from MSU, which will provide a link to an online form for completing their recommendations.
- One official transcript showing bachelor’s degree or progress toward degree. (For international students, please submit a copy in native language along with translated copies, if appropriate.)
- One official transcript showing ALL work after bachelor’s degree. (For international students, please submit a copy in native language along with translated copies, if appropriate.)
- Electronic transcripts should be sent to: gradapps@grad.msstate.edu Mississippi State University, Graduate School. Only one copy of an electronic transcript is required.
- Paper Transcripts Address (USPS):
Mississippi State University
The Office of the Graduate School
P.O. Box G
Mississippi State, MS 39762
- Physical Street Address (for DHL, Fed Ex, UPS, DHS, etc.):
Mississippi State University
The Office of the Graduate School
175 President Circle
116 Allen Hall
Mississippi State, MS 39762
- Payment of $60 non-refundable application processing fee for domestic students.
Payment of $80 non-refundable application processing fee for international students.
- Once you are admitted, you will receive an email with complete instructions on registering for classes and contacting your advisor
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Major Professors
Students should identify and contact a major professor with their area of interest.
Research:
- Small ruminant production, feeding, welfare
- Nutrition-parasite interaction in small ruminants
- Plant extracts / Bioactive forages for parasite control in sheep and goats
Research:
- Molecular Approaches to Improve Muscle Composition and Meat Quality
- Prenatal Programming of Postnatal Growth and Body Composition
- Depot-Specific Adipose Tissue Development
- Nutrient Partitioning and Metabolic Flexibility in Muscle and Adipose Tissue
Research:
- Effects of nutrition and exercise on reproductive efficiency of the stallion and mare
Research:
- Understanding the host-microbe interactions in different niches of livestock
- Identifying microbial markers to predict animal phenotypic traits
- Developing microbiome-based strategies to improve animal health
- Production, and welfare
- Antimicrobial resistance and preharvest food safety
Jean M.N. Feugang
- Associate Research Professor
Research:
- Biology of mammalian gametes and embryos
- Post-collection semen manipulation (i.e., in vitro analyses, purification, and cryopreservation)
- Non-invasive luminescence and fluorescence bioimaging
- Nanotechnology in animal production, reproduction, and disease prevention
- Various biological techniques are employed:
- cell and embryo culture;
- biochemical and cellular assays (i.e., ELISA and apoptosis analyses);
- proteomics (protein isolation, western-blot, and high-throughput approach);
- transcriptomics (DNA/RNA isolation, PCR, and high-throughput approach);
- Biophotonic imaging (bioluminescence and fluorescence).
Research:
- Applied beef cattle management
- Stage-specific nutrient interventions to improve productive and health responses
- Heifer development
Brandi Karisch
- Milton Sundbeck Endowed Associate Extension/Research Professor
Research:
- Improving efficiency of beef production
- Applied beef cattle management
Research:
- Improving reproductive efficiency in dairy and beef cattle
- Studying heat stress and reproduction physiology
- Understanding the role of hormones in early embryonic death
- Looking at the effects of dam nutritional stress on her offspring
Research:
- Reproductive endocrinology and developmental programming in livestock
- Environmental influence on dam fertility and conceptus development
- Developing in vitro systems to examine reproductive and nutrient transferring tissue physiology
- Microbiome of the reproductive tract
Research:
- Nutrient regulation of animal growth/development and health
- Diet/feed evaluation for swine production
- Swine model for human nutrition and health
- Molecular biotechnoloy
Marcus McGee
- Assistant Clinical Professor
Research:
- Precision Livestock Management technology
- Animal Behavior/ Animal Welfare
- Effects of stress on animal performance
- Non-invasive monitoring techniques
Research:
- Understanding the normal gait mechanics of the performance horse
- Identifying gait parameters that may indicate lameness in the performance horse
- Determining the influence of training and training devices on performance horses
- Studying the development of equine gait mechanics through aging
- Looking at the interaction between the rider and equine gait mechanics
- Evaluating the impact of animal assisted activities and therapy on physical, psychological, and cognitive disabilities
Jane Parish
- Professor and Interim Head,
North MS Research and Extension Center
Research:
- Forage systems for beef production
- Applied beef cattle management
Research:
- Estimation of genetic parameters in performance, carcass, and consumer related traits in beef cattle
- Evaluation of beef breeds, breed types, and mating systems
Research:
- Mastitis
- Heat stress
- Pasture grazing
- Disease detection
- Precision dairy monitoring
Research:
- Animal/environmental interface
- Heat stress
- Fetal programming
- Applied beef cattle management
Research:
- Growth and development of beef cattle with emphasis in heifer development
- Reproductive efficiency
- Live animal carcass evaluation
- Immunity, animal behavior, and herd health
- Growth development and reproductive physiology in sheep
Contact Information
Enrollment & Onboarding Coach
- General Program Questions
- Assistance with Admissions Process & Requirements
Mark Jimerson
Retention & Engagement Coach
- Current Student Inquires
- Academic & Support Services Assistance
Dr. Kelsey Harvey
Agriculture
- Assistant Professor & Graduate Coordinator