Master of Ag @ a Distance FAQ
- How do I apply for admission to the graduate programs in CASNR offered by distance learning?
- Agriculture - for the Master of Ag Program
- Crop Science - for the Master of Crop Science
- Horticulture - for the Master of Horticulture
- Can I begin taking graduate courses before I am admitted to the program?
- Can I take a course(s) even though I do not plan to apply for admission to the graduate program at Texas Tech University?
- Approximately how much does it cost to register for a course?
- Texas Resident taking delivery in/out of state-approximately $900
- Non-Texas Resident taking delivery in/out of state-approximately $1500-$1700
- Once admitted to the graduate program (either on a temporary or official basis), how do I register for a course?
- What courses are available for the Master of Ag degree and when will they be offered?
- After choosing the “emphasis area” I want, how do I select a major professor, committee, and courses for my program?
- How many hours of course work is required to complete the Master of Ag at a Distance program?
- Approximately how long will it take to complete my Master of Ag degree?
- Will I have to make frequent trips to the Lubbock campus during the course of my program?
- Will I need a computer (internet connection) to participate in the degree program?
- Do I qualify for financial aid while registered as a GTMP?
Go to the Texas Tech University website for the Graduate School. Here you will find a link to an online application under Prospective Students - How to Apply.
Read and follow the instructions. At this point, you will need to enter your SSN and PIN number (you can get one online if you haven’t been assigned one). You will click on “Create a New Application” and proceed through the selections. When you are prompted to “Select Major” you will select:
Note: If you are interested in applying for the Doc @ a Distance program, you will need to contact Dr. Matt Baker (806.742.2816) as the application process is different.
Continue entering the requested information and when you are prompted for the following “which campus location would you like to attend”, please select “Distance Learning”. Continue to fill out the application and “Submit” when finished. When you have paid your application fee and supplied you transcripts your application will be processed.
Yes, you may take up to 12 hours while your application is being processed. You will be “admitted” under the GTMP (Temporary Graduate) classification during the time you are completing the process (supplying transcripts, taking GRE). While this may be confusing, you are encouraged to submit two applications at the same time to the Graduate School. They should be identical with the exception that where you are to “Select Major”, on one you would specify “Temporary Graduate” (GTMP) and on the other specify "Agriculture". Even though you are submitting two applications you only have to pay the application fee once. You will be allowed to register under the GTMP classification until your application packet is complete. When it is complete you will be admitted under the other application. If you do not complete the admission process before needing to register for a subsequent term, you will need to go to the Graduate School website and print the “Request to Continue Registering as GTMP” form, fill it out, and fax or mail to the Graduate School, provided you have not exceeded the 12 hours of work allowed as a GTMP.
Yes, you may “apply” to the graduate program as “Continuing Professional Education Development” (CPED) and take a course(s) for your own enrichment or to transfer to a graduate program at another institution. You will select the above classification (CPED) when you are prompted to “Select major”. If you plan on taking courses at Texas Tech and transferring them to another university you are advised to check with that university on the number and types of courses they allow to transfer in.
It depends on whether you are a Texas Resident and where you are taking delivery of the course. For a typical 3 credit hour course and if you are a:
Once you have been admitted to the Graduate School you will receive a letter notifying you of such. Shortly after receiving your acceptance letter you will receive another letter containing instructions on how to go online and register. This letter will also contain your PIN for accessing the system.
The courses currently available can be viewed on the Course Listings page. A full list of courses available through Spring 2009 can be viewed on the Course Rotation page.
For detailed information on the Master of Crop Science and Master of Horticulture programs, please contact the Department of Plant and Soil Science at 806.742.2837.
Please contact Dr. Norman Hopper (Associate Dean for Academic and Student Affairs) at 806.742.2808 and he will refer you to the coordinator for the emphasis area you have chosen. In consultation with that coordinator you will select a major professor. You will then establish a dialogue with your major professor that will lead to the selection of your committee and the courses that will constitute your official degree program.
You will need to complete 36 hours of graduate coursework. Of these, 18 hours will be in your emphasis area and the remaining 18 hours will need to be in at least two other disciplines.
That will largely depend on how many courses per term you choose to take. The 36-hour requirement will generally include about 12 courses. In general, you should be able to complete the program in 2 to 3 years.
While this program is designed as a distance program, there may be an occasional trip to Lubbock to complete a class assignment, confer with your major professor/committee, etc.; however this should be minimal. At the conclusion of the program you will participate in a final oral exam that is best conducted on campus.
While you will not be required to have a computer with an internet connection, you will need access to such. However, most distance students have found it much more convenient to have access to a computer/internet in their own residence.
No. However, once you are officially admitted to the Graduate School, you will be eligible for financial aid. Please check the Financial Aid website for more information.