Tennessee Tech to launch fully online agribusiness degree pathway this fall
Beginning this fall, students pursuing an agribusiness degree at Tennessee Tech University will be able to complete the program entirely online, marking the School of Agriculture's first fully online undergraduate degree option.
The new pathway gives students the flexibility to earn the same Bachelor of Science degree in agribusiness through fully online, on-campus or hybrid formats, allowing them to choose the learning experience that best fits their schedules and responsibilities.
"We're offering students the exact same program they're getting in person," said Darron Smith, dean of Tech's College of Agriculture and Human Ecology. "It's the exact same material and the exact same exams.”
To create a seamless experience between in-person and remote learning, real-time lectures are recorded and uploaded online, allowing students to access course content whenever they need it.
“The online learners will see and hear the same lecture the classroom students receive. Either will be able to access the material online as much as they need to understand the concepts,” Smith said.
The shift reflects the changing realities of both higher education and the agriculture industry itself.
While agriculture has long been associated with hands-on work, today's agribusiness professionals increasingly rely on technology, data and business expertise. From managing farm finances and agricultural supply chains to operating precision agriculture systems, the field demands graduates who can adapt and solve problems in a rapidly evolving environment.
At the same time, students pursuing agricultural careers often face unique circumstances that make traditional classroom schedules challenging.
"We've had students who need to stay on the farm," Smith explained. "Others are working other jobs. This gives them flexibility to fit classes into their schedules."
The model may also appeal to first-generation college students, military students using GI Bill benefits, working adults and other nontraditional students looking to advance in their careers or complete degrees they began years earlier.
"Many students have responsibilities that compete for the attention they need to earn a degree. That’s part of the reason some students start and don’t finish. This is a great opportunity for us to work with them to meet their educational needs regardless of what the rest of their lives look like," Smith added.
The agribusiness degree prepares students for careers in farm supply businesses, agribusiness companies, agricultural lending, commodity marketing and family farming operations.
Tech also offers an accelerated pathway to earn a Master of Science degree in Agriscience Technology in the School of Agriculture or a Master of Business Administration through a joint agreement with the university's College of Business. Qualified students can earn both an undergraduate agribusiness degree and their master's degree in approximately five years.
Smith believes the flexibility of the agribusiness program aligns with Tech's mission of providing an accessible, affordable, high-quality education.
"We're flexible. We're versatile," he said. "It's the highest-quality education, and it's affordable."
Applications for admission to Tennessee Tech for the fall 2026 semester remain open. Prospective students can learn more and apply at www.tntech.edu/apply.