Abstract

In response to the growing need to prepare college graduates for careers in food and agricultural sciences, faculty at Oklahoma State University (OSU) developed an online baccalaureate degree completion program in agricultural leadership. Many students in Oklahoma earning their associates of science degree in agriculture were not pursuing four- year degrees, leading OSU to better serve place-bound students by offering an online four-year degree program in the food and agricultural sciences in partnership with three regional two-year colleges. Twelve students comprised the first cohort to enroll in the program and were interviewed after completing a year of coursework. Three emergent themes provide understanding and insight to students’ decisions to enroll in the degree completion program in agricultural leadership: able to be a full-time student and employee, able to complete degree without moving, and able to earn a degree in food and agricultural sciences. Findings suggest the online agricultural leadership degree completion is meeting the needs of Oklahoma agriculture and extends the land-grant mission by increasing accessibility to education to place- bound students seeking a four-year degree in food and agricultural sciences. Recommendations for recruiting and retaining students in online agricultural programs are provided.