The University of Mount Olive is once again addressing the needs of its students and helping educate tomorrow’s agribusiness leaders. Beginning in the fall of 2020, UMO will offer a bachelor of arts degree in agribusiness that will be 100% online.
Dean of Agriculture and Biological Sciences Dr. Sandy Maddox said, “We are very pleased to be offering our agribusiness degree in an online format. Agriculture is the number one industry in the state and offers many opportunities for employment. This agribusiness degree affords individuals interested in a post-secondary degree the opportunity to acquire this while still working. Whether you are currently employed in the field of agriculture or interested in pursuing a career in the field, or military active duty or veteran, this is an ideal educational opportunity.”
Already gaining a great deal of interest, students like John Michael Scott of Eli Whitney, NC, says, “The program really sparked my interest because it is being offered totally online. This format will allow me to continue to work full-time and complete my degree.”
Scott earned his associate’s degree from NC State in May of 2018 in agribusiness management, general agriculture, and field crop technologies. He currently works with Bennett-Hockett Plumbing and Industrial Supply in Burlington, NC in their agricultural irrigation, home water systems, and water sample division. Scott is enrolling in BA degree in agribusiness program at UMO this fall. “I believe this new program will take me to the next level in my academic and career success,” he said.
“The BA in agribusiness has been designed to prepare graduates with the knowledge, skills, and outlook necessary to be successful in a variety of management settings including off-farm input suppliers, commodity buyers and processors, food manufacturers and distributors, retailers and farm-based crop, livestock, poultry, horticulture, forestry, and tourism businesses,” said Maddox.. “The program is designed to allow students to develop management proficiencies through rigorous academic courses and research at a time and setting convenient to their schedule. The program emphasizes the biological, legal and regulatory, marketing and trade, and policy environments that are unique to agriculture, even to specific commodities such as dairy products.”
According to Maddox, the program is optimal for individuals who have already earned an associate degree in agriculture, but want to advance their educational and occupational goals. “The online format, coupled with the eight-week classes, are the perfect scenario for working adults,” she said. “For students who already have an associate’s degree, the BA in agribusiness can be completed in two years.”
Individuals interested in learning more, should contact Dr. Sandy Maddox at: smaddox@umo.edu or call 919-658-7682.
