Posted July 8, 2025
In 2024, the Davis College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources at Texas Tech University started a master’s program in ranch management, guided by an advisory board of 15 respected ranchers. Clint Rusk, Ph.D., was hired as executive director to lead the program. That same year, the advisory board helped craft the program’s mission and vision statements.
The two-year program begins with two semesters of in-person coursework on theTexas Tech campus where students complete a minimum of 30 credit hours. Students then transition to boots-on-the-ground training, spending six months each on two working ranches. During this time, they earn six additional credit hours while living and working alongside experienced ranch managers.
The program welcomed its first cohort of five students in August 2024. Enrollment doubled to 10 students in spring 2025 and is expected to grow to 17 students in fall 2025.
Rusk is currently seeking ranches willing to host students from June to December or from January to June. Host ranches are asked to provide housing and pay students a minimum of $1,000 per month. Just as important, the host ranches are expected to offer an educational internship experience that equips trainees to make sound management decisions. Each trainee will work with the ranch owner or manager to develop a plan aimed at increasing income, reducing expenses or – ideally, both.
Ranchers interested in hosting a management trainee can contact Clint Rusk at 765-491-9437 or at clrusk@ttu.edu.
