Swine Science Online Undergraduate Certificate

Program Summary
Cost per credit hour:

2023-2024: $435
2024-2025: $440

Learn more about the Tuition and Cost

12 Hours

Mama pig sleeping among several piglets in an indoor stall with wood shavings on the ground.Swine Science Online is the first-ever online undergraduate program in swine science. Swine Science Online offers education and training of future pork professionals to benefit the pork industry by inspiring a career interest through academic training and application.  

The Swine Science Online vision is to ensure that the pork industry is led and managed by individuals who have broad educational and production experiences that have prepared them for these roles.  Swine Science Online teaches scientific principles and management skills involved in pork production for efficient and sustainable operation.

A certificate in swine science benefits those already working in the industry, as well as undergraduate students looking for a value-added experience to increase employability.

  • Swine Genetic Sales Consultant
  • Regional Swine Sales Manager
  • Swine Communications Coordinator
  • Swine Building Construction
  • Swine Pharmaceuticals
  • Swine Production Management
  • Swine Feed Sales

Learn how Swine Science Online can transform your future!

Video courtesy of the U.S. Pork Center for Excellence.

All students who complete the 12-credit curriculum will be eligible to apply for an industry certificate in Swine Science through the U.S. Pork Center for Excellence or an academic certificate through South Dakota State University.

This program brings together the U.S. Pork Center for Excellence with faculty from top animal science programs across the country. Learn more about the participating universities in this program.

AG IDEA Student Handbook

An undergraduate certificate that offers education and training of future pork professionals.

Course List for Swine Science Certificate

University Contact
These campus coordinators can help you navigate Great Plains IDEA. Click on the university name to learn more about how Great Plains IDEA works at that campus. Iowa State Online
Ashley Schultz
Sarah (Heewon) Kim
Janice Clawson
University Members
Members of the Great Plains IDEA are universities accredited by a regional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Member universities recruit, admit and graduate students, teach in an academic program and contribute to the leadership and maintenance of the alliance. Membership in the alliance is a selective process that engages institutional leadership at all levels.

Macy Burgess is a graduate of the family and community services degree.I made the decision to switch specializations in my master’s program mid-way through my degree. This change took me from the traditional on-campus experience to the Great Plains IDEA online experience. The switch seemed intimidating to me but it ended up being an incredible experience that I would not have gotten if I'd taken all classes at one university. Getting to dive into courses offered at schools all over the country was beneficial as it opened pathways for communication and sharing of knowledge with students and faculty I would not normally have interacted with. 

– – Macy Burgess, Family and Community Services Graduate Student,
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