The board of trustees of South Carolina State University recently approved two new undergraduate degrees and one graduate degree for the HBCU’s College of Agriculture, Family, and Consumer Sciences. The approval coincides with the university’s upcoming $15 million state-funded renovation of Nance Hall, which will create new laboratories and teaching spaces for students and faculty.
The first program, a bachelor of science degree in animal and veterinary science, aims to prepare students for careers in one of the fastest-growing agricultural fields nationwide. Students in this program can choose to study a pre-veterinary option or an animal industry option focused on agribusiness careers.
The second new undergraduate offering, a bachelor of science in natural resource management, encompasses traditional agricultural disciplines. The curriculum covers topics such as soil science, plant science, water culture, agronomy, urban agriculture, and sustainability.
Accompanying these new undergraduate degrees is a new master of science degree in agricultural and natural resource management. The graduate program will have two focus areas: one in animal science and one in natural resource management.
Set to launch in Fall 2026, all three programs will benefit from research opportunities and practical experiences through the university’s Research Demonstration Farm in Olar, South Carolina and international projects in West Africa.
“The approval of these new academic programs marks an exciting step forward for SC State University,” said Frederick Evans, provost and vice president of academic affairs. “The new degrees will provide our students with the knowledge and skills to tackle some of today’s most pressing challenges in agriculture, sustainability, and animal health. These programs also strengthen our commitment to preparing graduates who are ready to lead in industries critical to South Carolina’s economy and to the global community.”
