Program Description

Billions of dollars’ worth of food and farm products are traded each year on international markets. Food companies scour the globe for customers and suppliers. Policy makers actively promote expanded markets for their country's food producers. Global food and agricultural policies command intense debate in world trade forums. International agribusiness is an exciting and rewarding career.

Entering the world of international agribusiness requires not only a solid educational foundation, but one must also be comfortable with a variety of cultures, have international experience, and demonstrate a desire to learn foreign languages.

The International Agribusiness M.S. program offered by the Department of Agribusiness and Applied Economics at North Dakota State University provides both the academic training and the international experience required to excel in an international agribusiness career. The program of study includes course work in applied economics, quantitative methods, and international agribusiness strategy, management, finance, and marketing.

The student will participate in an international experience. Three options are available for satisfying the international requirements for the program:

1. The student may participate in an international internship. Both paid and unpaid opportunities exist with international agribusiness companies, with government agencies, or with nonprofit organizations. The semester-long or summer internship can be arranged by the student or in cooperation with NDSU’s Office of International Student and Study Abroad Services. Internship programs will be defined by the student and his or her major adviser, and approved by the Graduate Program Committee (GPC) and the student's supervisory committee.
2. Students may participate in graduate courses in business or agribusiness at an international university during a semester-long or summer study abroad program. Study abroad programs will be defined by the student and his or her major adviser, and approved by the GPC and the student's supervisory committee.
3. Students may select at least six additional credits of coursework offered at NDSU related to international business or agribusiness. Courses must be approved by the student's supervisory committee as part of the student’s program of study prior to enrollment in the courses.

Students complete the program by writing and defending their comprehensive study papers under the supervision of their graduate committee.

Admissions Requirements

The Department of Agribusiness and Applied Economics graduate program is open to all qualified graduates of universities and colleges of recognized standing. In addition to the Graduate School’s requirements, to be admitted with full status to the program, an applicant must submit GRE scores and have adequate preparation in microeconomic theory, calculus, and statistics.

It is desirable that students begin their program in the fall semester, although students may also begin their programs of study in January. Application for admission to graduate school should be as far in advance as possible, in all cases at least one month prior to the next registration date. International students are advised to submit applications no later than March 31 to ensure VISA documents will be completed for a fall matriculation.