TCU Ranch Management Program

[jbonney1986]

As you all know I am exploring my options on what I wanna do when I grow up! I am young and trying my hardest to get into a career field I enjoy, wildlife, ag, farming or ranching......anyways I was looking into TCUs Ranch Management Program, they offer 2 different options, a certification and a 4 year degree. I was wondering if anyone has been through either or knows someone who went through it? Let me know what yall have heard or know

[stickman]

My ex-bro in law graduated from TCU with what I believe was the certification. He loved it but the oilfield got him. He still lives on a ranch and loves Ag life but it didn't quite pay the best.

[raiderelkhunter]

As a Texas Tech grad (College of Ag Science/Natural Resources), I would be slightly inclined to say that I would look into it thoroughly. TCU does not come across to me as an outstanding Agricultural school, but then again, I really can't say that I know much about TCU as a whole.

That being said, I work in the ag industry and know for a fact that the oilfield pays much better. But, I love my job and I love working with farmers and ranchers that have a passion for doing what their families have done before them for generations. There will always be a need for people in the ag industry in all facets. As water and land become more and more scarce, there will be the need for innovative ways to produce more food/fiber for the growing populations.

Best of luck to you and don't shy away from it if it seems daunting at first to get your foot in the door.

[BrandonA]

TCU has one of the best Ranch Management programs in the country.

[txnduckhntr]

ive heard its more of a business/marketing deal, but i have no first hand expierence with it.
i grew up on a ranch, and grad-jew-ated from college with a degree in rangeland ecology/wildlife, and even started grad school in animal nutrition.
most employers, imho, care more about pratical expierence and references than degrees.
wish i could help you, but if ranch work is what u wanna do, get a entry level job and work hard, listen to ol timers, and it will grow from there.
i was suprised in school how many folks were studying to be ranchers and wildlife majors that had zero back ground. most things cant be taught in school.

[raiderelkhunter]

TCU has one of the best Ranch Management programs in the country.

maybe from a business perspective I would guess...????

[BrandonA]

maybe from a business perspective I would guess...????

That Business perspective pays the bills.

[Codie]

maybe from a business perspective I would guess...????

From a Ranch Management Program prospective (which would obviously include the business side of things as well). TCU does in fact have one of the (if not THE best Ranch Managment programs in the country). I know several folks who have been through the program and the only thing I heard from all of them was how tough it was compared to their regular bachelors degree. It seems to be a great program with LOTS of big name supporters and financial backers who have spent their share of time in the program as well.

[Moose]

It's a cool degree but it ain't going to pay many bills- I graduated from aTm with a Ranch Management degree and after working with the Ag extension for next to nothing I quickly made the jump to the oilfield. I will say TCU is a good program though-

[raiderelkhunter]

[QUOTE=BrandonA;7319342]That Business perspective pays the bills.[/QUOTE

Very true....
all this aside, good luck to the OP

[TxTechBowhunter]

With as much as a degree from TCU will cost I would say look into other fields. If you are taking out student loans you will be working for the rest of your life to pay them back with the wages most Ranch managers make.

[hero_moneybags]

I know several people that graduated from the program including my future brother in law and from what I can tell its a pretty serious program that focuses on all aspects of ranching and managing ranches with a heavy emphasis on business. They don't seem to put up with too much nonsense due to the fact that a lot of the students pay a lot of money to go there and are spending time away from their home ranches and not working. Several of the people I know have been offered positions managing ranches all over the world as well as positions in futures trading and running feedlots. If your are serious about the ranching industry I would highly recommend looking into this program.

[Skinny]

TCU has one of the best Ranch Management programs in the country.

This^^^^

I know and have worked with a couple guys that went through the TCU Ranch Management program and they are the real deal...cattlemen and businessmen.

Not just anybody can get into that program...

Skinny

[jerp]

Great program but hard to get into because it is so small - they only graduate about 30 students per year. I've always gotten the impression that the majority of those in the program come from big ranching families. They are not going to take their degree and go look for a ranching job, they are going to go back home and help run the family business.

[Codie]

raiderelkhunter do you REALLY think that one of the best ranch management programs in the country will not touch on feeding/rotational grazing and the ins and outs of day to day ranch operations?

Since when does the amount of mom and dads bank account have any direct relationship to what any school/university puts into the curriculum of their lessons? Who cares if a student is sent to the program to get enough knowledge to be able to run their families ranch over the phone from a Country Club in Frisco - they still have to know what is going on to be able to do that.