The Graduate Certificate in Sustainable Agriculture provides post-baccalaureate students with an interdisciplinary understanding of practices and current issues in sustainable agriculture, along with the science that makes it work. Students who earn the Graduate Certificate in Sustainable Agriculture may take these skills into all industries and agencies involved in the food chain; from production, processing, and delivery to policy, regulation, and education.
Currently enrolled degree-seeking graduate students are eligible to concurrently enroll in a graduate certificate program. Credits earned by these students while enrolled in the graduate certificate program may be credited toward course requirements for a master’s or doctoral degree if the student’s graduate committee approves those credits.
Students not in degree programs are also eligible to earn the certificate by enrolling as non-degree students, again providing that they meet the prerequisites of the courses needed for the certificate. Apply for admission to an academic department, indicating your intention to be classified as a part-time, certificate graduate student. See below for more information.
Course Requirements:
The Graduate Certificate in Sustainable Agriculture requires a minimum of 9 graded credits. One core course provides 3 credits, and 6 credits must be earned from courses in relevant disciplines outside the student’s primary degree program. Additionally, no more than 3 of the graded credits towards the certificate may be at the undergraduate (400) level.
GPA requirement: cumulative GPA may not fall below a 3.0.
*Indicates courses available through Global Campus.
Certificate Core (3 credits, required):
- AFS 501*: Current Research in Organic and Sustainable Agriculture (3 credits) – typically offered Fall even years only
Scientific Breadth Component (6 credits required, including a minimum of 3 credits at the 500-level):
Because sustainable agriculture is inherently interdisciplinary, the Breadth Component ensures that students gain knowledge of a relevant discipline outside their primary degree department. The student is required to complete at least 6 graded credits in disciplines other than their home department. For instance, a student seeking a PhD in Crop Science may complete 3 credits in AFS and 3 credits in HORT. The course(s) must be clearly and directly relevant to the practice or understanding of sustainable agriculture.
Students may choose from this list (*indicates courses available through Global Campus). Other relevant courses may be accepted upon request.
500-level options (3 credits minimum)
- AFS 545*: Field Analysis of Sustainable Food Systems (3 credits) – typically offered each Spring term
Note: This course involves a field trip within Washington state. - AFS 590: Sociology of Agriculture and Food Systems (3 credits) typically offered Spring-odd years
- CROP_SCI/PL P 503: Advanced Cropping Systems (3 credits) typically offered Fall
- HORT 521: Fruit Crops Management (3 credits) typically offered Spring-even years
- IPM 552*: Pesticides and the Environment (3 credits) typically offered Spring at Pullman, and online in summer and Spring-even years
- SOE 540: Agroecology (3 credits) offered occasionally, variable term
400 level options (3 credits maximum)
- AFS 483: Special Topics in Study Abroad, in Agricultural and Food Systems (V, maximum 3 credits) offered occasionally, variable term
- SOE 450: Conservation Biology (3 credits) typically offered Spring
- SOIL_SCI 441*: Soil Fertility (credits), typically offered Spring at Pullman and online
- SOIL_SCI 443*: Soil Management for Sustainable and Organic Farming Systems (3 credits) typically offered Fall-odd years
- SOIL_SCI 478*: Advanced Organic Farming and Gardening (2 credits) typically offered Spring
- SOIL_SCI 479*: Organic Farm and Garden Field Management (2 credits) typically offered Fall
- SOIL_SCI 480: Practicum in Organic Agriculture (1-6 credits) typically offered Fall. Spring, and Summer
More information for students not enrolling in MS or PhD programs
To qualify as a part-time certificate student, a prospective student must
- Have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited post-secondary institution,
- Meet all prerequisite course requirements or be able to demonstrate equivalent knowledge and understanding for courses prior to enrollment,
- Be part-time student,
- Enroll in eligible courses on a space-available basis,
- Complete the Graduate School application form prior to enrollment in their first course, indicating their intention to be classified as a part-time, certificate student and their area of study,
- Be admitted, upon recommendation from the academic unit, to the Graduate School as a certificate student.
- Pay existing graduate tuition and fees.
- Students on academic probation and students suspended from the university for any reason are not eligible to enroll in certificate courses.
- Because the certificate programs are designed for part-time study without formal admission to a degree program, international students in the US on student visas are not eligible to enroll solely in certificate courses.
Students enrolled in certificate programs
- Are expected to meet all course requirements, to fully participate in all course activities, and to complete all assignments, exams, projects, and other requirements to earn credit and a grade.
- Maintain minimum GPA requirements (>3.0) while enrolled as a part-time certificate student
- May use such university services as the library, computing, and bookstore
- Are not eligible for all services provided to degree students who pay comprehensive fees, i.e. enrolling in independent study, research and project course credit, research/dissertation credits, final examinations and/or similar course work designed for degree-seeking students (i.e. 600, 700, 702, or 800 credits).
- Are not eligible for graduate assistantships, fellowships, or scholarships.
- Are not eligible for federal or state aid if not also enrolled in a degree program.
- May contact WSU Financial Aid for information and support of personal educational loans.
How to Earn the Graduate Certificate in Sustainable Agriculture
The Graduate Certificate in Sustainable Agriculture is open to students in any graduate degree program at WSU, as well as non-degree seeking students–at both the Pullman and Global (online) campuses.
Prospective and non-degree seeking students should submit an application for graduate school. There is a $100 application fee. Application requirements include CV/Resume, Personal Statement (background, experience, objective), 1 letter of reference as well as copies of transcripts from every college and university you have attended (if admitted, you will then be required to submit official transcripts). Once accepted, follow the steps outlined below.
Currently enrolled graduate students do not need to fill out a formal application for admission to the certificate program, but should follow the steps outlined below.
Step 1: Plan your Certificate Coursework
It is recommended to sketch out your coursework plan, noting that it may take multiple terms to complete the certificate requirements pending timing/course availability. The maximum time allowed to complete a certificate is six years from the beginning date of the earliest course applied toward the certificate.
Step 2: Complete the Required Coursework
The program requires a minimum of 9 graded credits. One core course provides 3 credits, and 6 credits must be earned from courses in relevant disciplines outside the student’s primary degree program. Additionally, no more than 3 of the graded credits towards the certificate may be at the undergraduate (400) level. See left for more information.
Step 3: Submit an Application
Fill out the Application for Graduation for Graduate Certificate near the beginning of the term in which you complete the last course for the certificate. Meet with the Chair of the Certificate Committee (Dr. Lynne Carpenter-Boggs) to approve your course list and sign the application. There is a $25 application fee. The application must be filed by the “Last Day to Apply for a Graduate Certificate” in that semester. These deadlines are approximately October 1 (Fall), March 1 (Spring), and May 15 (Summer).
Check the Academic Calendar for more information.
Learn more about Graduate Certificates at WSU.
More questions?
Please contact either of us:
Debra Marsh, Graduate Center Academic Coordinator
509-335-2615
Dr. Lynne Carpenter-Boggs, Certificate Program Director
509-335-1553
Job/Resources
ATTRA – National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service
The ATTRA project has served as the premier source of information about sustainable agriculture for U.S. farmers and other agriculturists for twenty years.