Off-Campus Graduate Studies

Overview

The Off-Campus Graduate Studies Program (OCGS) in Crop Sciences enables students to strengthen their education through part-time study, and most courses are now taught online using Elluminate software. Occasionally a site-based class may be offered or a Saturday class may be scheduled.

The OCGS Program offers a wide range of courses from Crop Production to Plant Breeding, from Insect Pest Management to Plant Physiology, and from Herbicide Mode of Action to Crop Growth and Development. The program has a 30-year history of providing University of Illinois courses to agricultural professionals across Illinois, as well as in neighboring states. Students can enroll in individual courses for personal or professional advancement or can apply for admission to the master's degree program in the Department of Crop Sciences. To date, hundreds of students have completed individual courses, and more than 130 students have received a master's degree. Students who successfully complete three qualifying OCGS courses receive a Professional Development Certificate.

Courses in the Off-Campus Graduate Studies Program in Crop Sciences are offered in conjunction with the Department of Crop Sciences, the College of Agricultural, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences, and the Division of Academic Outreach at the University of Illinois. Our classes are open to anyone with an interest in learning more about agriculture. For more information, see the Guide Book for Off-Campus Graduate Studies Students.

Course Offerings

Fall 2008 Classes
CPSC 426, Weed Management in Agronomic Crops
NRES 499, Insect Resistant Management
NRES 502, Research Methods in NRES

Other Courses Offered in Past Semesters:
CPSC 407, Diseases of Field Crops
CPSC 414, Forage Crops and Pasture
CPSC 418, Crop Growth & Management
CPSC 440, Applied Statistical Methods I
CPSC 453, Principles of Plant Breeding
CPSC 479, Insect Pest Management
CPSC 480, Plant Disease and Insect Control
CPSC 484, Plant Physiology
CPSC 518, Crop Growth & Development
CPSC 526, Herbicide Action in Plants
CPSC 588, Plant Biochemistry
HORT 442, Plant Nutrition
NRES 474, Soil and Water Conservation
NRES 475, Soil Microbiology
NRES 487, Soil Chemistry
NRES 488, Soil Fertility and Fertilizers
PLPA 405, Plant Disease Diagnosis
PLPA 409, Diseases of Ornamentals and Turf
PLPA 504, Plant Nematology

CCA Credit

All courses offered through the Off-Campus Graduate Studies (OCGS) Program in Crop Sciences provide Continuing Education Credits for those individuals who are Certified Crop Advisers (CCA).  

CCAs may enroll in OCGS courses on a space-available, noncredit basis to receive continuing education credits. These students pay a fee of $250 per course, attend the same classes, and receive the same course materials as full-credit students, but do not receive a grade for the course. For the number of CCA credits awarded for a specific course in each of the four subject areas (nutrient management, soil and water management, integrated pest management, and crop mangement), and for the current course offerings, see the individual course listing below. For a summary of the CCA credits for all of our courses, click here.

Who Can Take an OCGS Course?

Any adult may enroll in an OCGS course if eligiblity requirements are met and space is available. Many students take individual courses solely for personal or professional development. Enrollment in the University of Illinois or as a graduate student is not necessary to take classes for this purpose. However, credit earned in these courses will not apply towards a degree unless the student is admitted to the Graduate College, and then only 12 hours of credit for courses completed before admittance will be applied toward the degree.

Taking courses through Academic Outreach at the University of Illinois can benefit agri-professionals in a wide range of professions from agriculture teachers to farmers, from chemical sales reps to crop consultants, and from ag lenders to green industry professionals. OCGS courses can not only increase knowledge and skills needed every day, but can also lead to new job opportunities.

The OCGS Program in Crop Sciences has proven quality: a 2000 survey of alumni reported a high level of satisfaction with course quality and instruction. Additional benefits reported include increases status among colleagues, peers, and clients; increase in skill level; monetary benefits; and the opportunity to interact with University of Illinois faculty, other students, and new contacts or clients.

How Do I Enroll in an Academic Outreach Course?

All students, including degree-seeking students, non-degree graduate students and UIUC on-campus undergraduate degree students, can register at http://www.continuinged.uiuc.edu/oce-sites/outreach/Registration.cfm.

How Do I Qualify to Receive a Professional Development Certificate?

You must have a BS degree and complete three courses (with a grade of "B-" or better) offered through the OCGS Program, with one course, other than CPSC 593, at the 500 level. To qualify for the certificate program, classes must be either 3 or 4 credit hours. Application into the graduate college or the OCGS program is not required although course credit must be taken as graduate hours (non-degree seeking student status) to be eligible for the certificate.

How Can I Get a Master's Degree in Crop Sciences?

Simply registering for an OCGS course does not indicate progress towards the MS degree. MS candidates must have a BS degree in Crop Sciences or a related biological, physical, or agricultural field. In addition, coursework in mathematics, chemistry, biological sciences, and introductory crop and soil sciences is required. Deficiencies in these areas may require additional coursework. A student must possess a minimum grade point average of "B" (3.0 on a 4.0 scale) computed from the last 60 hours of undergraduate coursework to be admitted to the Graduate College. Post-baccalaureate coursework is also considered. Students with marginally less than a "B" grade point may, in some instances, be accepted on a limited status basis. The decision to accept limited status students is dependent upon professional experience, letters of reference, and grades received in OCGS courses completed prior to application. Up to 12 hours of coursework completed prior to acceptance to the Graduate College may be petitioned towards fulfillment of the degree requirements. This includes both OCGS classes and approved courses transferred from other institutions. To become a degree candidate, a student must complete a Graduate College application, and consult with Dr. Kevin Steffey, the OCGS Program Coordinator.

To complete the degree, students who have been accepted by the Department of Crop Sciences and the Graduate College must take 32 hours of coursework with 12 hours at the 500 level. Only 4 hours of such credit may be CPSC 593 (Independent Study). Students must maintain a "B" grade average. Following completion of courses, students must pass a comprehensive oral exam administered by at least three faculty members. In general, students will obtain an MS degree in five years.

For more information, download the OCGS Guide Book.

For More Information

Department of Crop Sciences

Dr. Kevin Steffey
Program Coordinator, Off-Campus Graduate Studies Program in Crop Sciences
240 ERML, 1201 W. Gregory
Urbana, IL 61801
217-244-2128; Email: ksteffey@uiuc.edu

Penny Cole
Assistant to the Coordinator, Off-Campus Graduate Studies Program in Crop Sciences
217-244-6746; Email: pccole@uiuc.edu

Heather Miller
Academic Outreach Program Director
for the College of ACES
302 E. John St., Suite 1405
Champaign , IL 61820
1-800-252-1360, Ext. 56568
Email: hmiller1@uiuc.edu

Office of Continuing Education, Division of Academic Outreach
1-800-252-1360, ext. 3-3061
302 E. John St., Suite 1405
Champaign, IL 61820

Updated: 5/22/08