Wilmington College Approved to Offer Master’s Degree in Agriculture
- 11 minutes ago
- 3 min read
WILMINGTON, Ohio (April 14, 2026)—Wilmington College is expanding its graduate program offerings to feature a Master of Science in Agricultural Business and Leadership degree starting in fall 2026. This fully online program is designed to prepare its graduates to lead and innovate in today’s dynamic agricultural industries.
Established with working professionals in mind, the program offers flexible online coursework with start terms in fall, spring, and summer, allowing students to progress at an accelerated pace to potentially finish after as few as three terms — or take one course at a time. The 31-credit curriculum emphasizes applied analysis, decisionmaking and leadership in the global food and agricultural system.
President Corey Cockerill said Wilmington College does agriculture differently. “This program is built for how the industry actually works — preparing professionals to make decisions, lead teams, and navigate the complexity shaping today’s food and agricultural systems,’ she said. “The future will be shaped by leaders who understand both the science and the systems.”
A hallmark of the program is its experiential learning component, in which students apply coursework in real-world, internship-style settings aligned with their career goals. Students’ research will benefit from access to Wilmington College’s nationally recognized 287-acre Academic Farm and associated facilities, reinforcing the College’s hands-on, career-ready approach to graduate education.
Whether advancing one’s current career or preparing for leadership roles in agribusiness, agricultural marketing, or rural development, the College’s online Master of Science in Agricultural Business and Leadership offers a practical, flexible path forward.
The graduate program complements one of the College’s marquee areas. Indeed, agriculture at WC began nearly 80 years ago and has grown into the institution’s largest academic area, enrolling nearly a third of the main campus' undergraduate students. It is the third graduate program currently offered at WC, coming on the heels of the Master of Organizational Leadership and Master of Science in Occupational Therapy programs.
Dr. Chad McKay, associate professor and agriculture program director, has been deeply involved in the emerging graduate program, from its concept through the approval process, which culminated this spring with the Higher Learning Commission’s Institutional Actions Council’s endorsement.
“This program reflects a forward-looking commitment to developing professionals who can navigate the increasing complexity of modern agriculture, blending agricultural business with strategic leadership to meet industry demands,” McKay said. “It signals a clear investment in shaping the next generation of agricultural leaders while reinforcing Wilmington's role at the forefront of advancing agricultural education and workforce readiness.”
Indeed, the graduate program is further proof that WC agriculture is growing with the needs of the agriculture industry, one that is facing what McKay describes as “a great balancing act.” He noted the industry is expected to feed a world population of 9 billion by 2025; manage environmental outcomes related to nutrient management, soil and water conservation, and carbon sequestration; and support rural communities and their socioeconomic development.
“Reconciling these conflicting needs necessitates a transition to a smarter, more efficient agrifood system that is driven by new technologies and advanced research and analytics to increase overall food production, organize use of natural resources, minimize waste, and improve access to food,” he added.
And that challenge requires a well-educated workforce. The 2024 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics survey confirmed the desirability of leaders with advanced degrees. It noted that the average annual salary for professionals in agribusiness is some 40 percent higher for those with master’s degrees when compared with bachelor’s degrees.
The program’s launch this fall anticipates involvement from a familiar demographic— WC’s agriculture alumni looking to invest in themselves and advance in their careers. Graduates will receive a discounted cost per credit hour. Wesley Nye, Class of 2023, local food systems coordinator, is one of them. “The flexibility of online learning with a focus on agricultural leadership and business piques my interest, as I want to deepen my understanding of stewardship in the industry and further support young ag students with their learning goals.” Elise Snarr, a 2025 graduate, also plans to enroll based on her positive undergraduate experience at the College. “I know the material has been crafted by educators who care and are invested in bettering the minds of students,” she added.
More information is available on WC’s website at https://www.wilmington.edu/programs/master-of-science-in-agricultural-business-and-leadership.
Article Submitted by Wilmington College