A degree in Agribusiness Management and Rural Development focuses on agribusiness and business development in nonmetropolitan regions. Businesses in these regions tend to be smaller and more self-sufficient, which poses special challenges and opportunities. The program is also of interest to students seeking a career in rural economic development. The program offers training in the use of business, marketing, financial management, economics, and computer applications to address business development and agricultural issues. This degree program combines knowledge of business management and agricultural systems with an understanding of how the market economy works and the appropriate role of government regulation. Growth and production in the economy are examined in the context of natural resource conservation and agribusiness management. An abundance of computer facilities are available for students in Agribusiness Management and Rural Development, and computer technology is incorporated into course work. Class sizes are relatively small, and advising is handled by faculty members. Other opportunities for enrichment are offered through student organizations on campus. Majors in the Davis College of Agriculture, Forestry and Consumer Sciences Agribusiness Management & Rural Development B Agricultural & Environmental Education B, M Agricultural & Resource Economics M Agriculture Education M Agriculture, Forestry, & Consumer Sciences M Agronomy B, M Animal & Food Sciences D Animal & Veterinary Sciences B, M Basic Sciences B Biochemistry B Child Development & Family Studies B, M Entomology M Environmental Microbiology M Environmental & Natural Resource Economics B Environmental Protection B Family & Consumer Sciences M Forest Resources Management B Forest Resources Science D Forestry M Genetics & Developmental Biology M, D Horticulture B, M Human Nutrition & Foods B Interior Design B Landscape Architecture B Natural Resource Economics D Plant Pathology M Plant & Soil Sciences D Recreation, Parks, & Tourism Resources B, M Reproductive Physiology M, D Textiles, Apparel & Merchandising B Wildlife & Fisheries Resources B, M Wood Science & Technology B B = Bachelor's; M = Master's; D = Doctorate For more information, contact Alan Collins at 304-293-4832, ext. 4473, Alan.Collins@mail.wvu.edu or visit the Web site at www.cafcs.wvu.edu/resm/are/

WVU Davis College of Agriculture, Forestry, and Consumer Sciences
The Davis College has 18 undergraduate major fields of study that are divided into five academic divisions: Animal and Veterinary Sciences; Family and Consumer Sciences; Forestry; Plant and Soil Sciences; and Resource Management. The excellent instructional facilities of the Davis College offer many learning opportunities. The Agricultural Sciences Building contains most offices, classrooms, and laboratories for agricultural programs. Percival Hall houses the Division of Forestry’s offices, classrooms, and laboratories, including the wood processing facilities. In Allen Hall, Family and Consumer Science classes are held, and the laboratory nursery school is located on the Evansdale Campus. Maintaining eight farms, two campus greenhouses, and more than 8,000 acres of forest land for teaching and research, the Davis College offers students a variety of educational opportunities with hands-on experiences.

Students are offered fields of study that complement various careers. The study of ecology is interwoven throughout courses to offer students the education necessary for careers emphasizing the protection of environmental quality and the management, utilization, and conservation of our soil, water, forests, wildlife, domestic animals, food, and fiber.

Admission
Students who meet University admission requirements may be accepted directly into the Davis College as Agribusiness Management and Rural Development majors.

Curriculum
The bachelor of science degree in Agribusiness Management and Rural Development is based on a flexible set of courses that provide the student with exciting career and advanced study opportunities. It requires 128 credit hours of course work, much of which can be planned around the special interests of the student. Students take courses in economics, business, mathematics, computer science, and modern concepts of science in preparation for professional or graduate study. In addition to the General Education Curriculum, the major requires 34 hours of courses including agricultural and resource economics and statistics; 30 hours of electives chosen in consultation with the student’s academic advisor, including four courses from the Davis College; and 22 hours of free electives chosen at the student’s discretion. For students who plan on continuing their education at the graduate level, ECON 301, 421, and 425 are recommended.

Course Work

Accreditation
West Virginia University is fully accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

Career Opportunities
Graduates of the Agribusiness Management and Rural Development Program may find employment with businesses such as agricultural cooperatives, agricultural supply firms, banks, family farms, and other entrepreneurial ventures. An increasing number of students choose to continue their education by attending graduate school. There is a high demand for graduates of this program.

Salary Range
Employees with a bachelor’s degree in Agribusiness Management and Rural Development average a starting salary of $25,000 to $35,000, with opportunities for advancement.