The Sustainable Agriculture major is designed to provide students with an interdisciplinary education emphasizing experiential learning opportunities. Our program builds on a solid foundation of agricultural science, while providing courses and professional development opportunities in the biological, social, and economic elements of sustainability.

New Graduate Student Orientation

Theses and Dissertations

Learning Outcomes

Students will demonstrate

• An ability to frame problems and ask critical questions concerning agricultural sustainability
• Knowledge of biophysical as well as socioeconomic aspects of agricultural sustainability
• An expertise in sustainable agriculture that transcends disciplinary boundaries
• An appreciation of the intellectual history of efforts to improve agricultural sustainability
• An ability to work interdependently and collaboratively
• The capacity to address complex agricultural problems by using systems thinking and other approaches
• An ability to critique different problem-solving methods and approaches, and recognize and display visionary leadership with moral and ethical integrity

Curriculum Requirements

Master of Science (MS)

Degree requirements: 36 credits (30 for co-majors) | Time-to-degree average: 3 years

• Agroecosystems Analysis (SUSAG 5090) - 3 credits
• Foundations of Sustainable Agriculture (SUSAG 6100) - 3 credits
• Sustainable Agriculture Colloquium (SUSAG 6000) - 4 credits (1 credit taken 4 times)
• Statistical Methods for Data Analysis (STAT 5101)* - 4 credits
• Cross-disciplinary courses - 6 credits (not required for co-majors)**
• Electives - 9 credits
• Research (6990)/Creative Component (5990) - 7 credits

Sustainable Agriculture Graduate Courses

*Any 4000-level or higher statistics course, including transfer credits, may be applied towards the statistics requirement with prior approval from a student's Program of Study Committee.

****As of Fall 2023, the Cross-Disciplinary requirement is dropped for co-majors.

Colloquium

Colloquium is a weekly forum for students, faculty, and other interested members of the Iowa State community to engage with speakers on sustainable agriculture topics. Colloquium provides students an opportunity to learn about the areas that impact the study of agricultural sustainability and engage with multiple stakeholders in the study, business, and practice surrounding sustainable agriculture. Colloquium is student centered and student driven. Speakers are arranged by a student committee in collaboration with the instructor. Speakers include local food producers; ISU faculty and area scientists, ecologists, and environmentalists; associates of agribusiness; and representatives of local and regional food systems.

Cross-Disciplinary Requirement

The cross-disciplinary requirement is intended to enhance a student’s understanding of critical issues in the study of agricultural sustainability, as well as their ability to succeed professionally in interdisciplinary contexts. Prior to taking any cross-disciplinary courses, students will identify their core discipline category – Natural Sciences and Engineering or Human Dimensions – with assistance from their major professor. Students that identify natural sciences and engineering as their core discipline are required to take courses from the Human Dimensions category while student that identify with human dimensions as their core discipline are required to take courses from the Natural Sciences and Engineering category. 

Cross-disciplinary courses list (Excel)

Note: The cross-disciplinary requirement was dropped for co-majors as of Fall 2023.