Dealership Management Program
The Dealership Management Program is an area of emphasis in agricultural systems management program.
It meets the basic education requirements of the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources and the agricultural systems management program.
Elective courses have been selected by John Deere Company to provide the desired background in business management to supplement the technical agricultural systems management courses.
Throughout the four-year program, each student receives guidance from two advisers: an academic adviser from the agricultural systems management faculty and a mentor from the John Deere Company. Graduates of the program receive a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture.
Goals and Benefits
The goal of the Dealership Management Program is to develop dealership management personnel. It is an educational program where the student earns a four-year agricultural systems management degree and completes two summer work experiences at a sponsoring John Deere dealership.
The student is assigned a mentor from John Deere Company who acts as a liaison between the University, the company and the dealership. The mentor assists the dealer and student in selecting work-study and internship experiences that benefit the dealer and develop the students' understanding of the John Deere Dealership.
Benefits of the program include:
- Understanding and applying the use of technology relevant to the agricultural industry.
- Participating in an industry-based education program.
- Developing dealership management experience.
Requirements
- Meet MU admission requirements and submit an application for admission to MU.
- Obtain a sponsorship from a John Deere dealer.
- Follow the curriculum approved by John Deere Company (course substitutions must be approved by the agricultural systems management academic adviser).
- Maintain a cumulative grade point average of 2.5.
- Work at a John Deere dealership in a work-study program between the freshman and sophomore years or between the sophomore and junior years.
Program History
In 1987, the Kansas City Branch of John Deere invited MU to form a partnership that would later serve to strengthen the agricultural machinery industry by producing well-rounded, experienced individuals for employment in the agricultural equipment industry.
In 1989, MU formalized this Career Partnership Program with John Deere. This partnership has become a model for universities across the United States.
Why did John Deere take this initiative? They noted a lack of qualified personnel who could take charge and lead a John Deere Dealership. The result: the formation of the John Deere Dealership Management Program.
This program is a cooperative partnership between John Deere and the agricultural systems management program.
