Admission

  Apply today for Spring Semester, 2025! 

What is required for admission to the program?

Potential students for the Seed Technology & Business (STB) master’s degree program often come from very diverse backgrounds. Generally, students who have completed a 4-year degree from a regionally-accredited institution in business, agriculture or a biology-related discipline will have the necessary coursework to be successful.

Students need to apply online and complete the standard Iowa State University graduate admission process. For the application, students will need  to submit:

  • The online application
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Academic transcripts from all colleges/universities attended
  • A personal essay
  • A professional resume/CV

Applicants must complete the online graduate application to be considered for admission to the STB program. The application fee is $60 for United States students; $100 for international students. Please NOTE this is an online program only. International students are not required to come to campus and a visa will not be needed for admission.  All required application materials may be submitted within the online application. The personal essay and professional resume can be submitted online through the application or emailed directly to seedgrad@iastate.edu.

For guaranteed consideration applicants should submit their application by:

  • November 30th for spring admission
  • March 31st for summer admission
  • June 30th for fall admission 
  • Exceptions can be made on a case-by-case basis (email seedgrad@iastate.edu for more information)

Online Graduate Applications

APPLY ONLINE

We require three letters of recommendation from individuals who can attest to your potential for graduate study. Sources should be persons with substantial academic or professional contact with you such as professors or immediate supervisors. The letters should be submitted within the online application system if possible. If you run into issues getting your references to submit the letter electronically through the application system, they can email letters directly to seedgrad@iastate.edu.

Bachelor’s Degree

Applicants must have completed a bachelor’s degree from a regionally-accredited institution in business, agriculture or a biology-related discipline; and graduated with a grade point average (GPA) of approximately 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale. If your undergraduate GPA was below a 3.0, please contact us at seedgrad@iastate.edu. We review applications on an individual basis and will consider your full application when making admission decisions.

Transcripts
Official transcript records bear the original stamp or seal of the school registrar where you obtained your Bachelor’s degree. If you were previously enrolled at ISU you do not need to request your transcripts; the ISU Graduate Admissions office will obtain them directly.
Documents may be uploaded at the same time that you submit your online application, or at a later date if necessary.  For the application process, we accept a scanned copy of official academic records or unofficial transcripts  from any institution where you earned (or will earn) a bachelor’s, and any institution attended after that (e.g., graduate work, etc.).

If you are given an official offer of admission to the STB master’s program from Iowa State University, then you will need to make sure an official stamped or sealed copy of your transcript is sent directly to the ISU Graduate Admissions office. If you do not have an official copy of your transcripts you can request that your institution mail them directly to the ISU Graduate Admissions office.

Office of Admissions
100 Enrollment Services Ctr.
Iowa State University
Ames, IA 50011-2011
Tel. 1 (515) 294-5836
Fax 1 (515) 294-2592
etranscript@iastate.edu
www.admissions.iastate.edu

Applicants are required to submit a personal essay. The essay should be typed and limited to TWO pages in length. The essay will help us assess your goals, motivation and your ability to communicate effectively in writing. Your essay can be emailed directly to the STB program seedgrad@iastate.edu or submitted as part of the online application. Please NOTE that you will also be asked to submit a statement of purpose with your online application. These two pieces of writing may contain similar information; however, we are looking for you to expand your thoughts a bit more within your personal essay.

What to include in your essay:
Discuss your academic and career goals. How will a master’s degree or certificate from the Graduate Program in Seed Technology and Business at Iowa State University help you reach these goals? What unique qualities and experiences would you bring to the program? What role would you like to play in the seed industry? In what way is this role complementary to your capabilities and personality? Please include any additional information you believe is important to our assessment of your admission request.

Include a copy of your professional resume. Your resume can be attached to your online application or emailed directly to the STB program seedgrad@iastate.edu.

Residence in Iowa or the United States is not a requirement for admission. We encourage international students to apply. All students should NOTE that this is a completely online program. A visa will not be needed for registration. We do not offer graduate assistantships as part of this graduate program.

Applicants whose primary language is not English will be required to submit proof of English proficiency. A minimum score of 79 on the internet-based TOEFL exam is required for admission. Find out More

An English placement exam is required in your first semester for scores of 104 or less on the TOEFL exam. Once admitted, STB staff will help you learn more about the English placement exam.

What if I don’t meet the admission criteria?

If you do not currently meet the admission requirements, please call or email us to see if you could be admitted on a probationary basis or if you are eligible for a waiver of specific admission criteria. Email: seedgrad@iastate.edu  Phone: 515-294-9137

I’ve been accepted to the STB graduate program, what happens next?

Once you have been notified of your acceptance to the STB Program, you will receive a letter from ISU admissions with your ISU University ID number. It will also give you more information about how to access your student accounts within our student information system, Workday. Workday Student is where you can verify your registration, view your U-Bill (tuition and fee assessment) and confirm that you are registered for classes each semester. If changes to your course registration are needed, they can be made there.

Using your University ID Number and password, you can log in to the Acropolis system to set up your ISU NetID and e-mail account. It is quick and easy. Your NetID will give you access to our educational portal system, Canvas, and the CyMail/email system.

Registration for STB courses can be done online through the Workday Student registration system. You can search for courses offered each semester by checking out our STB Course Schedule. In your first semester with the program, STB staff will assist you with registration. In future semesters, students can then register themselves in Workday.  If you run into any issues getting courses added to your schedule via Workday, contact us seedgrad@iastate.edu.

NOTE: After the 5th day of the semester, Workday is no longer open for registration. In this event, please contact your STB advisor- seedgrad@iastate.edu.

Your tuition and fees will be due on the 20th of the month during which courses begin. Payment can be made in full by that date or, for an additional fee, in three monthly installments on the 20th of the first, second, and third months of the academic term. You may view your U-Bill on Workday at any time.

Many of our students receive some kind of tuition reimbursement from their employer. You can use an Employer Reimbursement Deferment Plan form to sign up for this option. All applicable charges will be due after grades are presented with successful enrollment in the deferment plan prior to the beginning of each semester for employees of businesses and organizations that provide tuition reimbursement programs.

Your STB courses can be accessed through the Iowa State University education portal system, Canvas. For more information visit: Getting Started in Canvas. Instructions will be provided, on when and how to access your particular course(s), via email.  Our courses will follow a semester schedule but you will not be asked to log-in on specific days and times. Please look over your course syllabus very closely to gain a good understanding of expectations each semester. Technology requirements, testing procedures, and assignment submission instructions will be provided by your instructor.