Agricultural Business and Education

Chandra Reddy, Ph.D.,
Dean, College of Agriculture
Office: 213 Agricultural Biotechnology Building, (615) 963-7561
creddy@tnstate.edu

Prabodh Illukpitiya, Ph.D.,
Department Chair
Office: 204H Farrell-Westbrook (615) 963-1877
pillukpi@tnstate.edu

Aditya R. Khanal, Ph.D.,
Graduate Program Coordinator
Office: 204D Farrell-Westbrook (615) 963-4986
akhanal1@tnstate.edu

The graduate programs in the Department of Agricultural Business and Education (DABE) are designed to provide students with a solid and relevant up-to-date curriculum that blends advanced scientific knowledge in economics and business applications in agriculture, agricultural education, communication, and leadership skills to solve challenges in agriculture and related areas. Students will develop the necessary set of skills and competencies, and expand their knowledge, creativity, and scholarly activities through the classroom and laboratory, experiential hands-on learning, case study and analysis, and networking opportunities that prepare them for today’s competitive job market. The graduate program is offered at the Master of Science (M.S) levels. The Master of Science in Agricultural Business and Leadership features two concentrations: a) Agribusiness Management, and b) Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication (ALEC). The degree can be pursued through two options, thesis or non-thesis. A completely online degree option is also available for non-thesis students. The Agribusiness Management concentration focuses on agricultural economics and agricultural business management -related course work, research, and applications. The ALEC concentration emphasized leadership, education, and communication within agricultural contexts, specifically for students seeking job-embedded teacher licensure in agricultural education.

The Department is home to twelve faculty members with experience, educational training and background in diverse disciplines, including agribusiness, agricultural and applied economics, agricultural education, communication, and leadership.

Objectives

The graduate programs in the Department of Agricultural Business and Education are designed to:

Provide students with the most relevant up-to-date curriculum that blends advanced scientific knowledge in economics and business applications in agriculture, agricultural education, communication, and leadership to solve problems in agriculture and related areas;
Enable students to develop the necessary set of skills and competencies.
Prepare professionals and research scholars who have in-depth knowledge, and skills in the increasingly complex field of agricultural business, agricultural education and related areas;
Prepare scholars for rewarding and challenging careers in government, the agricultural businesses and industries, international organizations, and higher education;
Prepare students to take leadership roles in professional organizations;
Prepare experts who can analyze and interpret data, and develop, implement, and evaluate acceptable solutions to the real-world problems encountered by the government, academia, industry, and society in general;
Prepare scholars capable of communicating effectively to diverse audiences; and
Prepare scholars who are fully prepared for further training in doctoral and/or post-doctoral programs.

Programs and Degrees

The Department offers the following graduate degrees

Master of Science in Agricultural Business and Leadership with Agribusiness Management concentration
Master of Science in Agricultural Business and Leadership with Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication concentration

Agricultural Business and Education Faculty

Programs

Masters