I have a bachelor's degree (B.S.) in agriculture and a master's (M.S.) degree in Plant Science from West Texas University (now known as West Texas University, where I now teach). My degree is in soils and is from Iowa State University. As you might imagine, it took quite a while to get all those degrees (almost 13 years).

Soils degrees are usually only available at land grant universities that have agriculture programs, though universities with environmental science programs are developing soils programs now, too.

A recent job announcement with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service had the following definition of a soil scientist: a degree in soil science or closely related discipline that included 30 semester hours or equivalent in biological, physical, or earth science, with a minimum of 15 semester hours in such subjects as soil genesis, pedology, soil chemistry, soil physics, and soil fertility.