Certificate programs offered through the Institute of Agricultural Technology (IAT) at Michigan State University provide students with practical training in on-campus courses and off-camp
us internship experiences. Several off-campus programs are offered in conjunction with community colleges around the state. The Beef Cattle Management program is two semesters in length and begins during the fall semester. It allows men and women the opportunity to specialize in the area of beef cattle management with a one-year intensified program.
The Beef Cattle Management program provides students greater knowledge and experience in the management of both cow/calf and feedlot segments. The program includes a clerkship requirement which provides a thorough “hands-on” experience with members of farm staff to accomplish day-to-day, standard procedures. Clerkships give students the opportunity to work with one of the most notable purebred beef herds in the U.S., along with an unparalleled feedlot experience at MSU’s Beef Cattle Teaching & Research Center. In addition to clerkships, students are required to complete courses from faculty and staff in the Department of Animal Science and a variety of elective areas.
Learning goes beyond the classroom and the clerkship for beef management students as they participate in internships. Internships are a form of placement training, compelling students to apply what they have learned in the classroom and through clerkships. They must interact with talented and experienced people in their field, from whom they continue to learn. Internships are an extremely valuable portion of the Ag Tech programs, providing students with the opportunity to broaden their knowledge of the beef industry, along with development of professional skills. In addition, the internship experience earns the students credit toward their certificate.
For admission to the Institute of Agricultural Technology, contact the office in 120 Agriculture Hall, East Lansing, MI, 48824, or call (517) 355-0190. Admission is determined by the Institute. You may also contact Ms. Ashley Bushman, coordinator of the Beef Cattle Management Program, at (517) 432-1389 or via e-mail at bushmana@msu.edu. Additional information can be obtained on the Department of Animal Science website at Michigan State University.