UMass Amherst
The school, in cooperation with UMass Continuing and Professional Education (CPE), offers the opportunity for advanced training in soil science. Students enrolled in this program already hold a Bachelor's degree in a science-related field such as geology, engineering, public health, biology, or environmental sciences. Over a decade ago, the school began offering soil science courses at an off-campus location to facilitate training of non-soil scientists, enabling them to meet the educational requirements for certification as a Professional Soil Scientist. Eventually this program developed into a 30-credit program that upon completion, grants a Master of Science degree in Plant and Soil Sciences. Although the degree is in Plant and Soil Sciences, the off-campus program is limited to the field of soil science. This program is designed to meet the needs of working professionals who do not have the time or the opportunity to enroll in a traditional, full-time graduate program. Most students enrolled in these classes want to further their education because it expands their technical expertise. Others have used the advanced training for job advancement.
CIP Code:
01.1101
Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers | Soil and Plant Scientists | Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers
The University of Massachusetts Amherst is the largest public research university in New England. With more than 28,000 students and over 200 distinct academic programs – including highly ranked programs in business, computer science, health care and the social sciences – UMass Amherst is one of the most comprehensive institutions in the Northeast.
