By DOUG GRAVES
Ohio Correspondent

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Can’t decide between that lucrative MBA degree or master of science in agriculture, environmental and development economics? Rest easy. Ohio State University now offers the best of both worlds.

Fisher College of Business and the College of Food, Agriculture and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) at OSU are teaming up to offer this dual degree for students.

“This is the first year for such a dual degree program at OSU,” said Karen Wruck, Fisher’s professor of finance and associate dean for graduate programs. “The advantage is the student can get both degrees in shorter time than getting them separately. There’s an overlap in the schedule so they can complete them in a reasonable time.”

The program is unique from other dual agricultural-MBA degrees in that its emphasis is on sustainable economic development and business practices. The program will provide students interested in careers in agribusiness, food processing and economic development with critical business skills in such areas as logistics, supply-chain management and sustainability.

“It’s too early to gauge the amount of interest in it, but we feel there will be strong interest from domestic and international students because of the important role that agriculture plays with developing economies and current economies,” Wruck said.
One who helped spearhead this effort was Bobby Moser, vice president for agricultural administration and dean of CFAES.
“A partnership in programs like these allows us to prepare the graduates to meet real-world demands head-on,” Moser said. “The dual degrees will ensure the students in both Fisher and AED Economics will receive the most comprehensive and industry-specific educational experiences that will prepare them for leadership roles in these important fields.”

On the drawing board is dual degrees combining veterinary medicine and MBA. But right now the schools are focusing on the one at hand.

“Having scientific knowledge with a degree in agriculture will make for a more successful person and career,” Wruck said. “Over the next year or two you’ll see more power combinations like this. With the dual degree program at hand the students will be in position to pursue high impact careers in agriculture and food production businesses or work in economic development programs at public institutions such as World Bank.”

According to Wruck, the dual degree  fits precisely with OSU’s mission as a land-grant institution to educate a workforce capable of managing pressing economic needs at a global level.