International Agriculture Interdisciplinary Undergraduate Program

Requirements effective Fall 2025

Today’s ever-changing world is increasingly populated, urbanized, and interconnected. These changes create an emerging global environment where modern agriculturalists play a significant role in the management of international relationships. This increased leadership responsibility in the international marketplace necessitates that agriculturalists broaden their knowledge and understanding about how agricultural practices and policies influence global dynamics. To assist undergraduate students in preparing for these new positions of leadership, the College of Agriculture has developed the International Agriculture Program–a program designed to provide these future leaders with an opportunity to pursue a secondary major or minor in international agriculture.

The flexibility of the International Agriculture Program allows students to individualize their learning experiences by focusing their coursework on the global aspects of their primary major. Students in this program can study subjects connected to national and international development like international economics, food security, crop diversity, soil fertility, seed science, sustainable development, or cultural relations. To broaden students’ applied global knowledge, the program incorporates a combination of interdisciplinary coursework, internships, and study abroad experiences. Program participants have the opportunity to improve their knowledge of international agriculture while learning to apply their knowledge and skills outside the classroom. Practical insight gained by participation in the International Agriculture Program can improve a student’s career placement opportunities by involving them with international activities and agencies that can assist them with developing their personal skills and networks. These experiences combine to refine a participant’s critical thinking and problem-solving skills as well as enhance understanding of the analysis and management of global agriculture issues at home and abroad.

Secondary Major

International agriculture is an undergraduate secondary major that may be taken only in conjunction with a primary major in an agriculture and life sciences curriculum. Students choosing international agriculture will strengthen their career placement with a business or agency involved in international activities. Technical knowledge of a primary major discipline will be strengthened by a global awareness of agriculture and life sciences. A secondary major in international agriculture will give students practical insight into the role of agriculture in a world of increasing food and fiber needs. It is ideal for those who wish to broaden their international perspective or prepare for international work in
agriculture.

The international agriculture secondary major requires a total of 24 credits including:

  1. AGRON 3420
  2. at least 3 credits of an international travel course(s)
  3. at least 3 credits of one of the following: foreign language, agricultural related courses taken abroad, international internship approved by the program supervisory committee, or additional international travel course(s).
  4. one of the following: Ag Eds 4610, Agron 4500, An S 4410, Econ 3850, Soc 3480
  5. additional courses from approved international agriculture courses (PDF), or agricultural related courses taken abroad.
  6. at least 12 credits in courses numbered 3000 or above from approved international agriculture courses (PDF).
  7. at least 6 credits taken at Iowa State University.

Credits used to meet the international agriculture secondary major may be used to satisfy the credit requirement of graduation.

Students interested in earning a secondary major in international agriculture must contact the international agriculture program coordinator. The early indication of an interest in international agriculture allows for effective integration of the secondary major course requirements with those of the primary major. 

Students pursuing multiple majors may no longer qualify for federal financial aid once they have completed all requirements for the primary major. This means students should arrange their course schedule in such a way that they complete the requirements for all majors at the same time.

Minor

A minor in international agriculture is available to interested students regardless of their major. Students selecting the minor should have familiarity with agriculture and life sciences. The minor requires at least 15 credits, including 6 credits in courses numbered 3000 or above taken at Iowa State University. The minor must include at least 3 credits that are not used to meet any other Department, College, or University requirement.

The international agriculture minor requires 15 credits including:

  1. AGRON 3420
  2. 3 to 6 credits of an international travel course and/or foreign language or any combination thereof.
  3. at least 3 credits from the following: Ag Eds 4610, Agron 4500, An S 4410, Econ 3850, Soc 3480.
  4. at least 9 credits numbered 2000 or above from approved international agriculture courses.
  5. at least 6 credits in courses numbered 3000 or above from approved international agriculture courses (PDF), of which at least 3 credits must be taken at Iowa State University.
  6. at least 3 credits not used to meet any other department, college, or university requirement.

For more information about the International Agriculture Program, please contact your program adviser, or Dr. Ebby Luvaga, 174A Heady Hall, 515 294-5765 luvaga@iastate.edu

* Check with your adviser to verify approved courses.