Online Organic Agriculture Certificate – Washington State University
Center for Distance and Professional Education
PO Box 645220
Washington State University
Pullman WA 99164-5220
Overview
The U.S. organic food industry has grown at an impressive rate of nearly 20 percent each year for more than a decade and industry experts are predicting the trend to continue or accelerate. The Organic Trade Association forecasts that overall, the everyday use of organic products of all kinds will be both accepted and routine by the year 2025.
The growing demand for organic products has created the need for employees who understand the unique production, processing, and marketing approaches used in organic agriculture.
WSU’s online certificate in organic agriculture, the first in the nation, develops a solid background in the agricultural sciences, including an understanding of complex agriculture and food systems. Students develop knowledge and skills that are applicable to all industries and agencies involved in the food chain – from production, processing, and delivery to policy, regulation, and education.
The online certificate is ideal for professionals working in agriculture or related fields who require in-depth knowledge of organic systems, those wanting to pursue a career in organic agriculture, anyone interested in beginning a community supported agriculture (CSA) farm, home gardeners, as well as current WSU students in other majors at WSU with an interest in organic agriculture.
Courses are taught by the same world-renowned faculty who teach on Washington State University’s main campus in Pullman. Washington State University is a national leader in agricultural research and education and was the first university in the nation to offer a major in organic agriculture (available on the Pullman campus).
Courses for the certificate are accessible 24/7 from computers with high-speed Internet access. A professional internship at an approved farm, orchard, nursery, greenhouse or business involved in the organics industry is an integral part of the curriculum.
Once all courses are completed, students can download the form to apply for the Online Organic Agriculture Certificate here.
Careers
Students who complete the organic agriculture certificate will be well-prepared to work on or develop their own organic farm. The organic agriculture certificate also prepares students for employment opportunities with non-profit organizations and government agencies involved in environmental and food safety, as well as private sector food processing, marketing, organic certification, and product development industries.
Additional career information is available at the U.S. Department of Labor.
Apply
All students pursuing the certificate in organic agriculture must be admitted to Washington State University. Students interested in pursuing the online certificate, but not a degree in one of the majors offered online, should apply as a non-degree seeking student. You may submit a non-degree seeking application through the end of the first week of classes.
Program Requirements
Courses can be taken in any order. (For course descriptions, visit the Course Catalog and select the course you are interested in learning about.)
Questions should be directed to Debra Marsh (509-335-2615 or marshdj@wsu.edu) in the College of Agriculture, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences.
* Indicates course is not available online
Core (both courses are required; 6 credits):
SoilS 101 – Organic Gardening and Farming, 3 cr (cross listed as AFS 105)
SoilS 201 [B] – Soil; A Living System, 3 cr
Experiential Learning (3 credits minimum):
SoilS 480, Practicum in Organic Agriculture, must be taken on the Pullman campus
OR
SoilS 498, Professional Internship, for students not on the Pullman campus
Note: The Soils 498 Internship will be offered online beginning Summer 2010.
How an internship works:
The student arranges an internship (paid or unpaid) with an organic farmer, an organic business, or an organic certifying agency in a location that works for them. Usually, an internship is at least 20 hours per week for 12 weeks. The student is required to keep a daily diary and write a 10-page paper on some aspect of their organic working internship.
Food, Farming, and Ecosystems (choose 9 credits minimum):
CropS 360 [I] – World Agricultural Systems, 3 cr. (cross listed as SoilS 360)
MBioS 130 [B] – Nutrition for Living, 3 cr. (formerly FSHN 130)
SoilS 301 [M] – Ecological Soil Management, 3 cr.
SoilS 441– Soil Fertility, 3cr.
Stat 412 – Biometry, 3cr.
*CRS 416 – Sustainable Small Farming and Ranching Overview, 3 cr.
*CRS 417 – Agricultural Entrepreneurship, 3 cr.
*CropS 102 – Crop Growth and Development, 4 cr. (cross listed as Hort 102)
*CRS 336 [S] – Agriculture, Environment and Community, 3 cr.
*CRS 435 – Resolving Environmental Conflicts, 4 cr.
*FSHN 220 – Food Safety and Quality, 3 cr.
*NATRS 300 [B] – Natural Resource Ecology, 3 cr.
AFS 445 – Field Analysis of Sustainable Food Systems, 3 cr.
EconS 101 [S] – Fundamentals of Microeconomics, 3 cr.
OR
EconS 102 [S] – Fundamentals of Macroeconomics, 3 cr.
Transfer Credits
The maximum number of credit hours earned at other institutions that may apply towards a WSU certificate shall not exceed ¼ of the total number of credit hours required for the certificate.
Contact Information
Toll Free: 800-222-4978
Email: online@wsu.edu
© 2010 Washington State University
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