The Division of Aquaculture at Kentucky State University offers a Master of Science degree in Aquaculture/Aquatic Sciences. Aquaculture is the rearing of aquatic organisms under controlled or semi-controlled conditions. Interest in Aquaculture has increased worldwide as fish consumption has increased concurrently with decreasing catches of wild fish. In Kentucky and the southern United States, aquaculture production focuses on raising freshwater species commercially.

The curriculum meets criteria established by the University Programs Standards Committee of the American Fisheries Society for Fish Culture Specializations and criteria established by the United States Aquaculture Society, a chapter of the World Aquaculture Society. This program is designed to provide students with the training and experience required for immediate employment. However, the program is also designed to provide the academic foundation for further graduate studies.

The program requires each student to have a graduate committee. This committee will be responsible for evaluating the student’s competencies based on comprehensive evaluation, and thesis presentation and defense. Upon completion of the program, students should have knowledge of production and reproduction of primary aquaculture species, basic genetics, physiology and nutrition of aquatic vertebrate and invertebrate culture species, mechanics and operation of primary production methods, causes and controls of pathogenic organisms, the function and manipulation of biological and chemical cycles in ponds, the design and analysis of experiments, and basic economics and marketing in aquaculture.

Admission to the Graduate Program in Aquaculture/Aquatic Sciences is based upon evidence that the applicant has already attained a certain minimal level of academic proficiency. Applicants must assume responsibility for filing complete admission data, as listed below.

Each student must submit a completed, signed application form, providing all requested information. An application form can be obtained through the Program’s website, www.ksuaaquaculture.org or through the Kentucky State University Web site under Graduate Studies. A letter describing the applicant’s goals and career objectives is also required.

Program’s website, www.ksuaquaculture.org or through the Kentucky State University Web site under Graduate Studies. A letter describing the applicant’s goals and career objectives is also required.

Each applicant must provide two official copies of transcripts of all previous college/university credits showing all grades received and any degrees or certificates that have been awarded. The student who has not completed his/her undergraduate degree at the time of application for admission to the Aquaculture Program must submit an official transcript at the time of application, as well as an official transcript with the posted degree once the degree requirements have been completed. Graduates from all schools other than Kentucky State University should contact their registrars and request that official copies of their transcripts be forwarded directly to the Office of Graduate Studies, Kentucky State University, Frankfort, Kentucky 40601. Students seeking full admission must be graduates of an accredited four year institution of higher learning authorized to grant the baccalaureate degree.

All applicants for admission to the program must submit satisfactory official score reports from the general section of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) at the time of application. The GRE must have been taken within the past five years. Certain domestic students who have not had a prior opportunity to take the GRE may be admitted provisionally for one semester provided they take the test during their initial semester in graduate school. Information, application, and scheduling for the GRE can be obtained from the Educational Testing Service online at www.ets.org or by telephone at 800-GRE-Call (800-473-2255). It is the responsibility of the applicant to apply for and take the examination and to have the official scores sent to the Office of Graduate Studies.

Applicants should solicit three letters of recommendation from instructors at previous institutions and request that they be mailed to the Office of Graduate Studies. Forms are also available online.