College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources

Administration

Christopher R. Daubert, Vice Chancellor and Dean, College of Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources
Bryan L. Garton, Senior Associate Dean and Director of Academic Programs
Shari Freyermuth, Assistant Dean of Academic Programs and Director of Student Services
Shibu Jose, Associate Dean for Research and Director of the Missouri Agricultural Experiment Station
Robert Kallenbach, Associate Dean and Senior Program Director of Agriculture and Environment Extension

Office of Academic Programs

2-64 Agriculture Building • (573) 882-8301 • https://cafnr.missouri.edu/

Matt Arri, Director of Career Services
Shanon Dickerson, Director of Study Abroad
Laura Friedrich, Senior Coordinator of Student Services
Lena Johnson, Executive Assistant and Scholarship Coordinator
Kathleen Matz, Director of Student Recruitment & Events
Rachael Lees, Recruitment and Events Specialist
Katie Ogan, Coordinator of Student Services
Julie Rauba, Student Support Specialist

Division Directors

Bryon Wiegand, Animal Sciences
Michael Chapman, Biochemistry
Harvey James, Applied Social Sciences
Dojin Ryu, Food, Nutrition and Exercise Sciences
Heike Bücking, Plant Science and Technology
Pat Market, Natural Resources

About the College

The University of Missouri’s College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources' “food for life” philosophy cultivates a healthy world through visionary and transformative solutions for the environment, food systems, economies and communities.

From incoming freshmen to postdoctoral fellows, students prepare for a wide range of careers. Professional development through campus organizations and interactions among industry partners ensure our graduates will make an impact in food systems, business, government policy, environmental awareness, education, law, medicine and other areas.

The Missouri Agricultural Experiment Station advances science in agriculture, food and natural resources, extending CAFNR’s research to almost 14,000 acres across the state to meet the regional needs of our farmers and producers.

Technology reaches the citizens of Missouri through the college’s Agriculture and Environment Extension program. Specialists within the college and in all 114 counties around the state interact with the public for real-world research applications to solve problems.

Admissions

Students admitted to the University of Missouri are encouraged to enter the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR) their first semester. Current Mizzou students who are looking to transfer divisions into CAFNR need to contact CAFNR's Office of Academic Programs to get connected with the correct advisor.

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Degree Requirements

Students should refer to degree program sections for course requirements and credit hour requirements.  There are no specific college-wide degree requirements.

University Graduation and CAFNR Requirements

  • Students must meet all University graduation and degree program requirements to earn their degree. Refer to specific degree programs to determine course requirements.
  • Complete a minimum of 30 credit hours in MU-authored courses.
  • Complete no fewer than 120 credit hours of coursework.
  • To ensure the transferability of courses, seek approval of advisor and associate dean of academic programs prior to enrolling in courses at another institution.
  • Earn no less than a 2.00 GPA, as defined by the GPA of Record (UM cumulative GPA).

Transfer Credits

  • University general education requirements are considered fulfilled for students transferring with completed CORE42 or an Associate of Arts (AA) degree from a regionally accredited Missouri institution.  Some programs will require specific foundational courses, which may also meet University general education requirements.
  • Transfer credit from an accredited non-Missouri institution will be evaluated on a course by course basis.

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Advising

When entering the college, each student is assigned an advisor to assist in defining career goals and planning courses for a program of study that leads to graduation. The advisor also serves as a resource person for the student in a variety of academic and individual situations.

One of a student’s first priorities is to meet and become acquainted with their advisor early in the semester. The student should consult with their advisor when planning or changing the academic program.

Questions dealing with advising should be directed to Office of Academic Programs, 2-64 Agriculture Building, (573) 882-8301, cafnradvising@missouri.edu.

Academic Standing

In addition to the Academic Standing Policy of the University, see CAFNR's academic standing policies.

CAFNR Honors Requirements

Students are eligible to enter the honors program when they have obtained a cumulative GPA of 3.3 or above based on 30 credits earned at the University of Missouri. Transfer students are eligible after completing 15 credits at MU with a cumulative GPA of 3.3 or higher.

Students must be admitted to the honors program prior to the first day of classes for the last semester they are enrolled in residence in CAFNR. No student is admitted retroactively. The student is officially admitted to the program upon approval of the associate dean of academic programs.

Eligible students should complete an application as early in their undergraduate degree program as possible. The honors program application should be approved by at least two faculty members and the undergraduate advisor chair before it can be approved. The faculty members co-signing the application will comprise the honor student’s advisory committee.

An honors project is required and should be planned by the student and approved by the honor student’s advisory committee. The honors project should involve a significant research effort by the honors student, culminating in a written and oral presentation of the results. Departmental honors program requirements must be approved by the CAFNR Honors Program Oversight Committee (Office of Academic Programs).

To remain in good standing in the CAFNR Honors Program, a student must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.3 or more. A student whose GPA falls below 3.3 will be allowed a two-semester grace period to raise the GPA to the 3.3 level.

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Dual Enrollment for Senior Undergraduates

Qualified undergraduate students are eligible to enroll in up to 12 hours of graduate credit during the last 30 hours of their undergraduate program. Graduate credit cannot be counted toward undergraduate degree credit requirements. See the Graduate School for additional details.

Career Development and Professional Opportunities

Career development is a key component of the student experience. Our college provides career resources targeted specifically toward student interests and strengths. The CAFNR Career Services team focuses efforts to help educate, empower, and connect CAFNR students with their future careers. The resources in CAFNR expand beyond résumé reviews, mock interviews and one-on-one sessions to explore career possibilities. We focus on making valuable employer connections to help expand each student’s professional network. Students also have access and are encouraged to use https://hiremizzoutigers.com/ to search open job and internship postings. Students are also encouraged to attend both of the career fairs during the year - one in the fall and one in the spring.

CAFNR graduates find rewarding careers in a variety of career fields, including: private industry, state and federal agencies, start-ups, production agriculture, and more. Check out our student outcomes by going utilizing this link. By utilizing this link, you can see how MU has done as a whole and you can see the student outcomes data for CAFNR as well!

For additional resources to help you in your quest to become career ready, visit the CAFNR Career Services home page. 

Experiential Learning

Employers want to hire students who have experience! CAFNR students have a variety of options when it comes to experiential learning. CAFNR’s focus on internships, study abroad, industry tours, and student organizations help students gain relevant experience that employers desire. Exploring these opportunities gives students the professional growth and network needed for career success after graduation.

Click here to check out some of the most recent student experiences to see the kinds of opportunities CAFNR students explore. Interested in gaining your own experiences? We want to help you reach your goals! You can reach us in a variety of ways. Stop by CAFNR's Office of Academic Programs in 2-64 Agriculture Building, call us at (573) 882-0088 or email CAFNRcareerservices@missouri.edu.

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Study Abroad

CAFNR provides students with opportunities to study abroad on semester, summer, spring break and winter break programs. Study Abroad complements and enhances a student’s academic program by helping students gain independence and self-confidence, better understand new cultures and the world around them, and enhance their résumé. Study abroad experiences increase a student’s skill-set and add the valuable international dimension to their degree that employers seek.

For more information about CAFNR study abroad programs, contact Shanon Dickerson, CAFNR Director of Study Abroad, at dickersonsm@missouri.edu or (573) 882-8301.

Student Activities

CAFNR encourages each student to complete a “signature experience,” as part of the CAFNR “RISE” experience: Research, International, Service Learning and Experiential Learning. 

CAFNR students have numerous opportunities for undergraduate research internships and opportunities across disciplines.  Discover a new view of the world by participating in CAFNR Study Abroad. CAFNR offers study abroad programs in fifteen countries.  Build your leadership skills and friendships in the 40+ CAFNR-specific clubs and organizations. CAFNR degree programs sponsor student organizations for a tailored student experience, as well as college-wide opportunities.

Take your CAFNR experience beyond the classroom. Gain real-world experience through our full-service floral shop, ice cream parlor, meat market, policy centers, research laboratories, and research centers throughout Missouri.

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Graduate programs in CAFNR take an innovative, high-tech approach to the opportunities, challenges, and issues that face agriculture, food and natural resources. Students are highly engaged with expert faculty mentors who are impacting the future with findings on health breakthroughs, sustainable agriculture techniques and food safety. Prospective students are able to choose from a range of academic programs consistently recognized for excellence:

  • Agricultural and Applied Economics (MS and PhD)
  • Agricultural Education (PhD)
  • Agricultural Leadership, Communication and Education (MS)
  • Animal Sciences (MS and PhD)
  • Biochemistry (MS and PhD)
  • Dietetics (MS)
  • Food and Hospitality Systems (MS and PhD)
  • Natural Resources (MS and PhD)
    • Agroforestry
    • Fisheries and Wildlife
    • Forestry
    • Human Dimensions of Natural Resources
    • Parks, Recreation and Tourism
    • Soil, Environmental and Atmospheric Sciences
    • Water Resources
  • Nutrition and Exercise Physiology (MS)
    • Exercise Physiology
    • Nutrional Sciences
  • Nutrition and Exercise Physiology (PhD)
    • Exercise
    • Nutritional Sciences
  • Personal Financial Planning (MS)
  • Plant, Insect and Microbial Sciences (MS and PhD)

Find CAFNR degree program descriptions by following the links in the left navigation column. 

Note: Prospective graduate students must apply to both the degree program of interest and to the MU Graduate School. In most cases, the entire application process may be completed online. Find admission and application details by selecting the degree program of interest in the left navigation column.