Science and Education

Do you like to observe, experiment, and problem-solve? How about impart knowledge to others to improve understanding? Science and education may seem like two different areas, but it is through teaching that the scientific method is understood as a method of problem-solving during experiments. If you have an inquisitive mind and enjoy imparting that knowledge to others, these majors/concentrations satisfy the curious mind.

Agribusiness

Policy and Law

This concentration provides critical thinking and writing skills along with a strong foundation in business, economics, and public policy to prepare you for either law school or a career in the public sector. Some of our students have had opportunities to intern with a member of Congress or a government agency in Washington, DC.

Career Opportunities:

• Agribusiness manager - median annual salary of $64,170
• Agricultural economist - median annual salary of $65,480
• Agronomy sales - median annual salary of $58,600
• Loan officer - median annual salary of $63,400

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Agricultural Education Leadership & Communications

Agricultural Education

This path gives you a broad background in both agricultural sciences and education, communications, and leadership. You will be prepared to work in a variety of fields, including agricultural extension, management, secondary education, and government.

Career Opportunities:

• Agricultural educator - median annual salary of $46,800
• Career counselor - median annual salary of $56,040
• Crop consultant - median annual salary of $49,840
• Extension agent - median annual salary of $45,550

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Agricultural Engineering Technology & Business

Precision Agriculture

Technology is the future of agriculture. We prepare you for that future by training you in global positioning systems (GPS), geographical information systems (GIS), remote sensing, and digital mapping technologies.

Career Opportunities:

• Conservation scientist — median annual salary of $61,310
• Crop consultant — median annual salary of $49,840
• Hydrologist — median annual salary of $79,550
• Land surveyor — median annual salary of $58,020

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Agricultural Science

This degree program gives you a broad background in agriculture and life sciences, leadership principles, basic principles of production, and business management. You may customize your experience by choosing two areas of focus that will allow you to meet your individual career goals.

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Agronomy

Agricultural and Environmental Soil Science

Humanity depends on healthy soil for food and fiber production, and trained professionals are needed to manage and preserve this precious resource. This concentration will prepare you to enter a very in-demand field.

Career Opportunities:

• Agronomist — median annual salary of $58,600
• Nursery/greenhouse manager — median annual salary of $46,520
• Plant breeder — median annual salary of $76,150
• Soil conservationist — median annual salary of $61,310

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Animal & Dairy Sciences

Pre-Vet/Science

Prepare for a rewarding career as you pursue one of the most popular choices for animal lovers. This major provides you the knowledge needed to successfully move into a veterinary medicine degree program. As a veterinarian, you will provide medical care for pets, livestock, and other animals and will research, diagnose, and treat medical conditions and diseases.

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Biochemistry

Bioinformatics

Love computers and biology? That is not a contradiction, it’s a career path! Bioinformatics is the science of applying computer-based approaches to understand biological processes. This concentration, which is strongly based in mathematics, will prepare you to work in fields such as pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, medical technology, and computer programming for the medical industry.

Career Opportunities:

• Bioinformatics scientist — median annual salary of $79,590
• Microbiologist — median annual salary of $67,550
• Software engineer — median annual salary of $100,690
• AI specialist — median annual salary of $146,090

Entomology

If insects intrigue you, the entomology concentration will suit you well. A career as an entomologist in agriculture will train you to prevent insect-borne disease and protect food and fiber crops and livestock from insect damage. You may also learn to promote insects that contribute to the well-being of humans, animals, and plants.

Career Opportunities:

• Agricultural consultant - median annual salary of $58,140
• Beekeeper - median annual salary of $44,750
• Forensic entomologist - median annual salary of $64,100
• Pest control specialist - median annual salary of $36,610

Forensic Science

Forensic science technicians aid criminal investigations by collecting and analyzing evidence and often specialize in various types of laboratory analysis. If you are interested in criminology and enjoy chemistry, biology, and solving problems, this fast-growing field may be your path.

Career Opportunities:

• Crime laboratory analyst — median annual salary of $58,230
• Forensic anthropologist — median annual salary of $62,280
• Forensic engineer — median annual salary of $95,000
• Medical examiner — median annual salary of $72,420

Plant Pathology

Do you have a green thumb and a thirst for diagnosing and treating sick plants? This concentration will prepare you for a variety of careers as you study the diseases and disorders of plants including fungus, virus, and bacteria.

Career Opportunities:

• Agricultural consultant — median annual salary of $58,240
• FDA regulatory agent — median annual salary of $106,140
• Researcher — median annual salary of $63,950
• Seed and plant production agent — median annual salary of $66,700

Science

If you have a passion for research and wish to work in biochemistry or biophysics, this may be your perfect route. This concentration allows for specialization in cell biology, anatomy, and/or physiology and is excellent preparation for pursuing a graduate degree.

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Food Science, Nutrition & Health Promotion

Science

As consumers, we rely on food scientists to ensure the safety and quality of food products before they reach our plates. This concentration will prepare you for a career in areas such as product development, quality control, technical sales, production management, food law, and food packaging.

Career Opportunities:

• Food microbiologist — median annual salary of $66,000
• Food safety technologist — median annual salary of $52,420
• HACCP coordinator — median annual salary of $82,880
• Quality assurance specialist — median annual salary of $53,830

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Human Development & Family Science

Child Development

Do you have an interest in helping children and supporting families through their children’s developing years? This path will prepare you for careers such as early care and education, parent education, and child advocacy. You will gain hands-on experience in the Child Development and Family Studies Center and have the option to work toward your Mississippi Pre-K license.

Career Opportunities:

• Extension Agent in Family Services - median salary of $45,379
• Parent Educator - median salary of $32,560
• Childcare Center Director - median salary of $47,310
• Child, Family, and School Social Worker - median salary of $49,150

Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher Education

The more we learn, the better lives we’re able to live. This interdisciplinary program prepares you to teach life skills courses, from time and money management to parenting skills and many more, to different populations, from children to the elderly, business professionals, people with disabilities, and more.

Career Opportunities:

• Extension Agent in Family Services - median salary of $45,379
• Parent educator - median annual salary of $52,900

Family Science

In this concentration, you will gain an in-depth understanding of societal issues that affect families and be prepared to work in a variety of governmental, non-profit, religious, and private agencies. Graduates also receive provisional certification through the National Council on Family Relations as Certified Family Life Educators.

Career Opportunities:

• Human development consultant - median annual salary of $90,900
• Case manager - median annual salary of $78,970
• Addiction counselor - median annual salary of $51,600
• Parent educator - median annual salary of $52,900

Youth Development

Children and adolescents ages 10-18 have a unique set of developmental needs, and trained, caring individuals are needed to support their growth and wellbeing. This customizable concentration will give you theoretical background in the classroom and real-world experience through a required field experience course and internship.

Career Opportunities:

• Director of volunteers - median annual salary of $81,330
• 4-H professional - median annual salary of $68,670
• Youth program administrator - median annual salary of $60,397
• Juvenile probation officer - median annual salary of $53,020

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Poultry Science

Science and Pre-Veterinary Science

This path allows you to earn your bachelor’s degree in poultry science while providing the strong pre-vet background you’ll need to succeed in veterinary school or other graduate programs.