New Agriculture Degrees Coming to MCC

New Agriculture Degrees for In-Demand Careers Coming to MCC
Partnership with Texas A&M University-Kingsville to expand transfer pathways and scholarship opportunities

 Waco, Texas – McLennan Community College (MCC) and Texas A&M University-Kingsville (TAMUK) have formalized a new articulation agreement expanding the transfer opportunities for students pursuing careers in agriculture, environmental science and agribusiness.

 The agreement guarantees MCC graduates a seamless transition into several agriculture and business-related bachelor’s degree programs at TAMUK including:

  • Bachelor of Science in Agriculture – Agronomy
  • Bachelor of Science in Agriculture – Horticulture
  • Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science
  • Bachelor in Agriculture Science
  • Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness
  • Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness – Ranch Management
  • Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences in Agribusiness

Eligible MCC students must complete one of the following associate degrees with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0:

  • Associate of Science with Emphasis in Agriculture
  • Associate of Science with Emphasis in Agribusiness
  • Associate of Applied Science in Business Management

“This partnership creates a clear and promising pathway for students – one that honors their hard work, provides access to multiple program areas and opens doors to high-demand careers,” said Christi Esquivel, chair of the Business Programs Division. “This not only expands access to education but also illustrates a commitment to investing in the future workforce.”

 Students who transfer to TAMUK will have their college-level credits apply, to the greatest extent possible, toward a bachelor’s degree that leads to employment in occupations designated by the U.S. Department of Labor as having rapid growth, large numbers of openings, or are new and emerging.

 Students attending TAMUK’s RELLIS Academic Alliance campus in Bryan, Texas, will also have access to amenities offered by Texas A&M University including student life activities and tickets to sporting events.

 “We are extremely excited in the Dick and Mary Lewis Kleberg College of Agriculture & Natural Resources at Texas A&M University-Kingsville to form this partnership agreement with McLennan Community College. MCC does a wonderful job preparing students for skills-based careers, and our faculty at TAMU-Kingsville continue that applied, hands-on approach to learning in our various agricultural-based degrees,” says Shad D. Nelson, Dean of Dick and Mary Lewis Kleberg College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at TAMUK. “We are thrilled to see a higher number of students have a smooth transition as they matriculate from a 2-year degree into a 4-year bachelor’s degree. We can’t wait to see more MCC students visit our campus and find out why our students at Javelina Nation make south Texas such a special place.”

 Additional benefits include:

  • Transfer Excellence Scholarships: Students with a GPA of 3.0 or higher are eligible for scholarships ranging from $1,000-4,000.
  • Javelina Promise: Texas residents with a household income of $65,000 or less who enroll in 12 semester credit hours and maintain satisfactory academic progress may qualify for fully-paid tuition and fees for up to four years.

The program will begin in Fall 2025. Students who enroll full time can complete their associate degree at MCC in two years and their bachelor’s degree at TAMUK in an additional two years.

 

For more information, visit https://www.mclennan.edu/agriculture/ or contact Christi Esquivel at cesquivel@mclennan.edu.