Be ready for the business of agriculture while building industry connections.
In this two-year diploma program, you’ll network with some of the most progressive producers in the region and learn about agriculture issues and solutions – not only in southern Alberta but in Western Canada. Use your second year to learn agriculture management policy, marketing and how international events affect agriculture and the economy.
Grab and Go Information
Why should you study Agriculture Business at Lethbridge Polytechnic?
Thanks to partnerships with dozens of local industry members, you’ll benefit from field trips, guest lectures and labs. You’ll also make connections for future employment opportunities through weekly lunch-and-learn sessions and a School of Agriculture career fair that welcomes industry partners to campus each fall. After two years, you’ll be ready for all aspects of ag business, including managing ag production operations and working in ag finance or insurance. Some courses also transfer toward ag degrees at other institutions.
385-acre
research farm with irrigation, precision agriculture, crop storage and greenhouse productions
94%
of our Ag Sciences grads had a related job less than six months after completing the program
Build on your credentials
With one more year of study, you can graduate from the Agricultural Sciences - Agronomy diploma.
Career Opportunities
Graduates of our Agriculture Sciences program work in a wide variety of settings, including:
- Agriculture research
- Agri-business
- Agri-services
- Farm finance
- Farming
- Ranching
50+
years that students have chosen Lethbridge Polytechnic as the place to study agriculture
15
Lunch and Learns with industry every fall semester – usually includes pizza and summer job offers
Visit ALIS website for more career information.
At-a-Glance
Starts-in
September
Credential / Accreditation
Diploma
Duration
2 years
International Eligibility
This program is available for International Students.
Application Deadlines
Visit the Program Application Status page for more details.
Academic Centre
Program Availability
Admissions
Apply NowNew applicants are accepted into the Agriculture Sciences program for Fall (September) term.
General Admissions Requirements
All applicants must meet the general admission requirements for Lethbridge Polytechnic programs, as indicated in the Admission section of this calendar.
Academic Requirements
In addition to meeting the general admission requirements indicated in the Admission section of this calendar, applicants must also satisfy the following specific course requirements (or equivalencies):
- Grade 12 Math (equivalent to Alberta's Math 30-2 or a higher level Math)
Upon successful completion of all program requirements, students are awarded an Agriculture Sciences - Agriculture Business diploma.
| Partner Institution | Partner Program | Incoming/Outgoing | Effective Dates and Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) | Bachelor of Technology | Outgoing |
September 2023 - August 2028
Bachelor of TechnologyGraduates of Lethbridge Polytechnic's Agriculture Sciences - Agriculture Business Diploma, who have a minimum GPA of 2.7 and meet all other competitive admission and selection requirements, are eligible for admission into NAIT's Bachelor of Technology program. Students should consult an Academic Advisor at NAIT for further information. |
| University of Lethbridge | Post-Diploma Bachelor of Arts - Agriculture Studies | Outgoing |
January 2021 - January 2026
Post-Diploma Bachelor of Arts - Agriculture StudiesGraduates of Lethbridge Polytechnic's Agriculture Sciences - Agriculture Business Diploma, with a GPA of 2.5 or higher, are eligible for admission into the Post-Diploma Bachelor of Arts - Agriculture Studies at the University of Lethbridge. Students should contact an Academic Advisor at the University of Lethbridge or visit their website for more information. |
| University of Lethbridge | Post-Diploma Bachelor of Science - Agriculture Studies | Outgoing |
January 2021 - January 2026
Post-Diploma Bachelor of Science - Agriculture StudiesGraduates of Lethbridge Polytechnic's Agriculture Sciences - Agriculture Business Diploma, with a GPA of 2.5 or higher, are eligible for admission into the Post-Diploma Bachelor of Science - Agriculture Studies at the University of Lethbridge. Students should contact an Academic Advisor at the University of Lethbridge or visit their website for more information. |
| University of Saskatchewan | Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness | Outgoing |
July 2020 - June 2030
Bachelor of Science in AgribusinessGraduates of Lethbridge Polytechnic's Agriculture Sciences - Agriculture Business Diploma, with a minimum graduating average of 65% or higher, are eligible for up to 57 credits towards the University of Saskatchewan's Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness. Students should contact an Academic Advisor at the University of Saskatchewan for more information. |
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | ||
| ACC-1170 | Financial Accounting I | 3 |
| AGS-1150 | Agriculture Finance | 3 |
| AGS-2255 | Sustainable Agriculture | 3 |
| BIO-1167 | Botany | 3 |
| BIO-1175 | Animal Science | 3 |
| BUS-1166 | Business Law | 3 |
| COM-1162 | Interpersonal Relationships and Communications | 3 |
| ECN-1180 | Microeconomics | 3 |
| ENG-1150 | Composition | 3 |
| SOL-1150 | Agriculture Soils | 3 |
| Credits | 30 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Term I | ||
| ACC-1175 | Financial Accounting II | 3 |
| AGS-2250 | Canadian and World Agriculture | 3 |
| BUS-1170 | Introduction to Management | 3 |
| MKT-1152 | Commodity Marketing | 3 |
| PLT-2262 | Field Crops | 3 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Term II | ||
| AGS-2251 | Agriculture Policy | 3 |
| BUS-2292 | Business Finance | 3 |
| ECN-2253 | Macroeconomics | 3 |
| MKT-1188 | Introduction to Marketing | 3 |
| STS-1155 | Descriptive Statistics | 3 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 60 | |
Tuition costs are estimates for the 2025/2026 year.
| Title | Tuition | Fees | Books/Supplies |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1
|
$4,995.00
|
$1,388.00
|
$1,200.00
|
| Year 2
|
$5,193.00
|
$1,468.00
|
$1,000.00
|
View detailed program cost estimates
International Students
| Title | Tuition | Fees | Books/Supplies |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1
|
$16,245.00
|
$1,388.00
|
$1,200.00
|
| Year 2
|
$17,712.00
|
$1,468.00
|
$1,000.00
|
Notes
Costs for supplies may vary considerably depending on what students already have or where they purchased their supplies; cost provided is on the moderately high end.
Students will be charged a medical/dental benefit fee unless they opt out by demonstrating alternative coverage prior to the end of the first week of class.
Budget Wizard
Our Budget Wizard is a free self-service tool that can help you make sense of your finances and the cost of your education. Give it a try!
The Agriculture Sciences program is delivered through a blended format and is intentionally designed to include on-campus, face-to-face learning as well as online delivery.
Blended
This program includes both face-to-face/on-campus and online delivery in both synchronous (learning occurs in real-time on a set schedule) and asynchronous (learning does not occur at the same time or same place) formats.
With just one online application, you can apply for all the Lethbridge Polytechnic awards and scholarships- visit our Awards and Scholarships page for more information.
Featured Graduates
Clayton Lehr
"I am very honored to receive a student award. Due to the Covid-19 situation, I will be travelling long distances frequently to attend my labs in person. This award will allow me to have enough money for the fuel and wear and tear on my vehicle. I am enjoying my classes thus far, with Animal Science being my favourite. I will continue to work hard and be frugal so that I may always be a deserving student of this award."
Denver Oudshoorn
“Having a program that offers business and agricultural education together has a lot of advantages. Being able to incorporate plant and animal science with business content gives a new generation of farmers a major head-start to their career.”
Sam McPhedran
You learn a lot just from working, but the Agriculture Sciences program at Lethbridge Polytechnic gives you a leg up. It’s 100 per cent worth it because it’s not just the education, which is great, but it’s the whole experience and the people you meet. I wouldn’t trade it for a second."