Unique Program will Advance Food Security and Clean Water for Kentucky and Beyond

FRANKFORT, Ky. — Students seeking to tackle two of the most urgent challenges of our time—food security and clean water — will now be able to do so at Kentucky State University through a new Bachelor of Science degree program in Aquatic Science focused on aquatic systems and sustainable resource management. Approved Jan. 30, 2026, by the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education (CPE), the new degree will become one of the few undergraduate programs of its kind in the nation and the first in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

The degree will be offered through Kentucky State’s School of Aquaculture and Aquatic Science, the University’s only Program of Distinction as designated by CPE. Designed as an innovative, research-based program grounded in hands-on learning, the curriculum will prepare graduates for careers that connect water, food systems, and environmental stewardship.

Workforce preparation will be a key focus as the sector continues to grow and evolve, with internship opportunities directly connecting students to potential employers. The USDA projects 57,900 annual job openings for graduates with bachelor’s degrees in food, agriculture, and the environment, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 10,700 jobs per year in water treatment alone. Career paths connected to aquatic science include aquaculturist, hatchery manager, hydrologist, watershed scientist, fisheries biologist, and water treatment expert.

Coursework for the innovative new undergraduate degree program will explore the science of life in water from the molecular to the ecosystem level through studies in aquatic ecology, limnology, water chemistry, aquaculture systems, marine biology, and fisheries science. Experiential learning will be central to the curriculum, including access to Kentucky’s only dedicated aquatic research complex, the Aquatic Research Center (ARC).

The ARC includes 33 research ponds, a 3,000-square-foot hatchery, a 3,500-square-foot nutrition laboratory, and a 14,000-square-foot production technologies building, along with specialized facilities supporting year-round environmental research and student learning.

“Kentucky State University has been a national leader in aquaculture research and education for more than 40 years,” said Dr. Andrew Ray, chair of the School of Aquaculture and Aquatic Science. “This new undergraduate program gives students the scientific foundation and practical skills to manage aquatic resources sustainably — whether that means raising fish for food, managing natural water bodies, or ensuring clean water for communities. It’s an essential step toward addressing the global challenges that connect water, food, and human health.”

The new degree program will complement Kentucky State’s existing academic offerings, including the Master of Science in Aquaculture and Aquatic Science, the undergraduate and graduate certificate in Aquaculture and Aquatic Science, and a minor in Aquaculture — creating a clear pathway from undergraduate education to advanced research and professional practice. Related efforts are also underway, with legislative encouragement to create a Ph.D. program in Aquaculture and Aquatic Science.

“This program embodies the land-grant mission at its best,” said Dr. Marcus Bernard, dean of the College of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources and director of the Land Grant Program. “Kentucky State is connecting world-class research to the real-world needs of communities — helping secure safe, sustainable food systems and clean water for future generations. With this degree, we are opening the door for more students to take part in that work during their academic journey.”

CPE also approved a Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy and a Master of Public Health in Nutrition at Kentucky State University. The nutrition program will also require review and approval by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) before launch.

To learn more about the School of Aquaculture and Aquatic Science at Kentucky State University, visit here: https://www.kysu.edu/aqua.

To learn more about Kentucky State’s Aquatic Research Center, visit here: https://www.kysu.edu/academics/college-ahnr/school-of-anr/facilities/aquatic-facilities.php.