Harold and Pearl Dripps School of Agricultural Sciences

Dr. Tom Shields, Interim Department Head

Purpose

The purpose of the Harold and Pearl Dripps School of Agricultural Sciences is to provide students with the skills required to meet the changing needs and demands of agriculture and to enable students to become active and productive members of society. More specifically, the primary objectives of the department are:

1. To prepare students for careers in agriculture and natural resource management;
2. To contribute to the intellectual development of students; and
3. To enable students to effectively participate in and make significant contributions to contemporary society.

Curricula

The School of Agricultural Sciences offers curricula leading to Bachelor of Science degrees in agricultural sciences and natural resource conservation management. In addition, the department offers numerous courses in plant and soil science for students desiring to obtain specialized training in these areas.

The agricultural sciences core prepares students for career opportunities in animal science, equine science, and agribusiness, as well as general agriculture. The animal science concentration provides students with theoretical and practical training in the evaluation, breeding, feeding, management, and marketing of livestock. The equine science concentration is designed to familiarize and train students for employment in the horse industry.

The agribusiness concentration is designed to emphasize the development of the student’s managerial ability. Students are trained for careers in a wide variety of opportunities in agribusiness, industry, and government.

The agricultural sciences degree provides students with training in many facets of the agricultural industry such as animal science, agribusiness, and plant and soil science. Students choosing this career path are prepared for employment in the general agriculture industry as well as agriculturally-oriented government agencies.

The nutrition and dietetics concentration provides students with content knowledge and experience needed to apply for dietetic internships for careers as registered dietitians. The didactic program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND).

Students interested in attending a school of veterinary medicine are encouraged to meet with the McNeese pre-veterinary medicine advisor to discuss which of the three choices listed below is best for them:

1. Pursue and complete two years of pre-veterinary basic requirements;
2. Pursue and complete the Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Sciences with a pre-veterinary medicine concentration; or
3. Pursue and complete three years of the agricultural sciences degree with a pre-veterinary medicine concentration and, after completion of the first year of veterinary school, be granted the Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Sciences.

Other concentrations offered include agricultural education grades 6-12, food and nutritional sciences, and food technology. The curricula are designed to prepare students for graduate study in a variety of disciplines.

The School of Agricultural Sciences also offers minors in agricultural sciences, environmental science, nutrition, and wildlife management.

Graduation Requirements

Students in the School of Agricultural Sciences must earn a grade of C or better in all School of Agricultural Sciences courses and meet all graduation requirements listed in the Degree and Graduation Requirements  section of the Academic Regulations page. Each student is also required to complete a capstone experience, which includes taking and satisfactorily passing a departmental exam in their concentration. A student concentrating in agricultural education must also meet all requirements for admission and progression through the teacher education program, teacher residency, and graduation as stated on the Teacher Education Preparation Portals  page. 

McNeese Course Equivalencies for the LCPAC Core

The School of Agricultural Sciences is a member of the Louisiana Consortium of Public Agricultural Colleges (LCPAC). The consortium has developed a two-year core curriculum designed to facilitate the transfer of students majoring in an agriculture program among Louisiana public colleges and universities.

Graduate Studies

The School of Agricultural Sciences offers a program leading to a Master of Science in Environmental and Chemical Sciences. A student may concentrate in agricultural sciences or environmental science. Additional information and curricula are available on the program pages below.

Programs

• Agricultural Sciences, Agribusiness Concentration, BS
• Agricultural Sciences, Agricultural Education Grades 6-12 Concentration, BS
• Agricultural Sciences, Animal Science Concentration, BS
• Agricultural Sciences, Equine Science Concentration, BS
• Agricultural Sciences, Food and Nutritional Sciences Concentration, BS
• Agricultural Sciences, Food Technology Concentration, BS
• Agricultural Sciences, General Agriculture Concentration, BS
• Agricultural Sciences, Nutrition and Dietetics Concentration, BS
• Agricultural Sciences, Pre-Veterinary Medicine Concentration, BS
• Natural Resource Conservation Management, Environmental Science Education Grades 6-12, BS
• Natural Resource Conservation Management, No Concentration, BS

• Agricultural Sciences, Minor
• Environmental Science, Minor
• Nutrition, Minor
• Wildlife Management, Minor

• Environmental and Chemical Sciences, Agricultural Sciences Concentration, MS
• Environmental and Chemical Sciences, Environmental Science Concentration, MS