How to Apply

Prepare the materials below which you will then upload within your online application. 

Two letters of recommendation 

• Two professional recommendations are required. You will provide information about your recommenders in the online application. CSU will contact them with instructions and a link to a secure form they will submit on your behalf. 
• In some instances, additional references can strengthen your application. Contact us if you have questions about references and recommendations.

Statement of purpose 

The statement of purpose is 1-2 pages and briefly describes: 

• Your background 

• Your educational goals and leadership potential 

• Your interests and experiences, as they relate to agriculture and food as well as entrepreneurship and innovation 

• Why you are a good fit to the program 

• Motivation for pursuing graduate work in agribusiness and food innovation management 

Resumé 

Your resumé should contain the following: 

• Record of all education and training, including names of institutions, periods of attendance, and degree earned 

• Record of all professional employment including dates of service (including military) 

• List of any special skills or competencies (including certifications and licensures) 

• List of publications, exhibitions, prizes, awards, or other recognition 

• List of service activities (including community and charitable) 

• List any business or entrepreneurial experience directly applicable to our program 

Unofficial Transcripts 

• Upload unofficial transcripts of all collegiate work completed post-high school.  

• Separate transcripts are required for study abroad if the courses, grades, and credits are not recorded on the transcript of the university that sponsored the study abroad. 

• Training course transcripts from branches of the U.S. Military that show credit received with neither grades nor degrees awarded are exempt from the transcript requirements. 

• You must upload the front and back of transcripts and include any grading scale provided. 

Students may be admitted and registered in their first semester of courses with an unofficial transcript. Official transcripts must be submitted as soon as possible. (See “Request Official Transcripts” below.) 

All applications to graduate programs at CSU are submitted through the Graduate School. 

• Go to https://gradadmissions.colostate.edu/apply/  

• As a first-time user, create an account to start a new application.  

• Complete the online graduate application form and upload all prepared application materials. 

• When choosing the Program of Study please indicate: “Agribusiness and Food Innovation Management master’s degree – Distance”.  

• Pay the nonrefundable application processing fee (payable online). CSU’s Graduate School offers several application fee waiver opportunities. Visit their website to determine if you are eligible for a waiver. 

• As soon as you have completed the required information, please submit your application.  

Your application will not be reviewed until it is complete, and all required materials have been received. 

Request one official transcript of all collegiate work completed from all institutions attended. Transcripts from Colorado State University are not required. 

Transcripts must be received directly from the originating institution to be considered official. 

Please Note: Students may be admitted and registered in their first semester of courses with an unofficial transcript. Official transcripts must be submitted, prior to or during your first semester, before you can register for your second semester of graduate work. Failure to meet this condition will result in your dismissal from the Graduate School. 

Electronic (preferred):
Digital Transcripts must be submitted by the originating institution using a secure service such as parchment, eScrip-Safe, the National Student Clearinghouse, or e-Quals. Transcripts received via emails are considered unofficial. 

Use institution code 4075 for Colorado State University or gradadmissions@colostate.edu if the secure service requires an email address. 

Mail (if necessary):

Graduate Admissions
Colorado State University – Office of Admissions
1062 Campus Delivery
Fort Collins, CO 80523-1062 

View your application status at any time to ensure your application checklist is complete or to check on updates. 

Reach out to our Program Coordinator, Rachel Sears, for questions on the status of your application.