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Agricultural Education

College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences

	QUICK JUMP
	Agriculture Education
	Teaching Endorsement and Study Options
	Requirements and Core Courses
	Careers in Agriculture Education
	Salaries
	Scholarships and Financial Aid
	Related Fields of Study That May Interest You
	Contact Information

Agriculture Education

Agriculture education focuses on the skills needed for successful leadership positions in agriculture, education, or agribusiness. Although the program is primarily designed to prepare teachers of agriculture, the knowledge developed in this program is transferable to any career in which communication skills, leadership skills, and technical knowledge about agriculture are important. • Offered at WSU: Bachelor of science in agricultural business and technology systems with a major in agriculture education • Available at: Pullman (B.S. and M.S.), Distance Degree Program (M.S. only) NOTE: If you are interested in an M.S. or Ph.D., see the listing of degree programs in agriculture at WSU at academic.cahe.wsu.edu/graduate_studies.htm

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Teaching Endorsement and Study Options

Teaching Endorsement Teacher certification is an integral part of the Agricultural Education major. Graduates who wish to teach are eligible for a Washington state teaching endorsement, and are qualified to teach at the secondary-school level. Study Options Students in agricultural education can specialize in: • Horticulture • Soil Science • Crop Science • Animal Science • Agricultural & Resource Economics • Agricultural Technology & Management • Food Science & Human Nutrition • Natural Resource Science • Career & Technical Education

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Requirements and Core Courses

—Bachelor of Science in Agriculture with an emphasis in Agricultural Education Agricultural Education is a science-based program that includes chemistry, biology, communication, and math classes, as well as a teacher education component that results in certification to teach agriculture. The major includes technical agriculture courses in animal science, crops & soils, horticulture, and agricultural and resource economics. REQUIREMENTS FOR JOINING PROGRAM Certification is a two-step process: • Step 1: After taking 24 credit hours and earning at least a 2.0 GPA, students should pre-certify in agricultural education. Required courses for pre-certifying in the College of Education are Engl 201, Psych 105, Stat 212, T&L 300, and T&L 301, all with a grade of C or better. Students must also pass the state mandated basic skills test (WEST-B). • Step 2: After taking the appropriate prerequisite courses, and with 80 hours of documented work with youth and a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or above, students may apply to the College of Education for admittance into the certification program. Major in Agricultural Education General Requirements - Public Speaking (ComSt 102[C]) or Comm. In Human Relations (HD 205[C]) - World Civ. I & II (GenEd 110/111,[A]) - Introductory Writing (Engl 101, Com [W]) - World Agricultural Systems (CropS 360,[I]) - Intro. Psychology (Psych 105, [H,G,S,K]) - Intro Bio:Organismal Biology (Biol 106), & Intro Bio: Cell Bio & Genetics (Biol 107) or Intro to Botany (Biol 120)[B] - Intro to Chemistry/Chemistry Related to Life Sciences (Chem 101/102) or Principles of Chemistry I & II (Chem 105/106)[P] - Intro to Statistical Methods (Stat 212 [N]), Math for Life Scientists (Math 140), Calculus I (Math 171), Intro to Math Analysis for Business and Econ. Majors (Math 202) - Arts & Hum ([H]& [D]) - Capstone (Tier III, [T]) Total General Requirements: 44 credits Agricultural and Food Systems Core Requirements - Intro to Systems (AFS 101) - Cultivated Plants (CropS/Hort 102) - Animal Sciences (AS 101) - Intro. Systems Development (AFS 201) - Fund. of Microeconomics (EconS 101[S]) - Soil: A Living System (SoilS 201 [B]) - Gen. Ecology (Biol 372 [M]) or Natural Resource Ecology (NATRS 300 [B]) - Systems Development & Analysis (AFS 301) - Agriculture, Environment, and Community (CRS 336[S]) - Seminar (included in AgEd 407 below) Advanced Systems Analysis & Design (AFS 401) Total AFS Core Credits: 30-31 Agricultural Education Core Requirements - Methods of Teaching Agriculture (AgEd 342) - Student Teaching in Ag. Education (AgEd 407) - Principles of Career & Technical Education (AgEd 440 [M]) - Program Planning in Ag. Education (AgEd 442) - Student Organizations in Ag. Education (AgEd 471) - Introductory Field Experience (T&L 300) - Learning & Development (T&L 301) - Secondary Practicum & Seminar (T&L 317) - Curriculum Planning & Content Literature (T&L 464) - Cultural & Community Contexts (T&L 465) - Secondary Methods of Education Technology (T&L 466) - Classroom Management (T&L 467) - Classroom Assessment (EdPsy 468) - Advanced Practicum (T&L 469) - ESL/Special Education Course (T&L 470) - Student Teaching (T&L 415) - Metal Fabrication (AgTM 201) - Methods, Materials, & Machines for Teaching Ag. Mechanics (AgTM 402) - Writing & Research (Engl 201 [W]) - Ag Electives- Upper Division - Intro to Farm & Ranch Mgt (EconS 350) or Intro to Ag Marketing (EconS 351) Total Agricultural Education Core Credits: 63-67 Total program credits: 137-142 NOTE: Students should consult the General Catalog and meet with their advisor as early as possible for course planning and must meet course requirements as outlined in the General Catalog in order to graduate.

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Careers in Agriculture Education

More than 75 percent of the program’s graduates choose to teach the applied science of agriculture. There are many opportunities in Washington and nearby states to teach agriculture. Some Agricultural Education majors increase their employment options by also taking courses that lead to certification to teach science. There are also a variety of other career areas that require the skills learned in the agricultural education program. Some of those non-teaching options include: • 4-H Youth or agricultural extension agent • Administrator of industry-based training/information programs • Administrator of public relations programs • Sales and service • Government agencies, such as SCS, ASCS, and FmHA • Public service organizations, such as Farm Bureau or livestock/crop commodity boards • Peace Corps, agricultural missionary, or similar work with other international agencies.

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Salaries

Starting salaries are in the $36,000 to $40,000 range.

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Scholarships and Financial Aid

The College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences awards more than $250,000 to students annually. For more information, see the College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences Web site. A variety of federal, state, and University-sponsored programs, based on need, academic merit, or a combination of the two, are also available to assist qualified students with educational costs. To get information on the full range of available aid or to apply for financial aid and scholarships from WSU, see the Costs and Financial Aid section of this Web site.

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Related Fields of Study That May Interest You

• Agricultural Communications • Agricultural Business & Technology Systems • Plant & Soil Systems • Organic Agriculture Systems • Pest Management Systems • Horticulture • Human Nutrition and Foods

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Contact Information

Agricultural Education

College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences Washington State University 201 Johnson Hall P.O. Box 646420 Pullman, WA 99164-6420

afs@wsu.edu

509-335-2615

Teacher Education Program

Office of Student Services College of Education Washington State University Education Addition 316 PO Box 642152 Pullman, WA 99164-2152

beateacher@wsu.edu

(509) 335-4855

Lead Faculty Dr. Marvin Kleene

kleenem@wsu.edu

Dr. Michael Swan

mswan@wsu.edu

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Strengths of the Program

• Prepare for a successful career as an agricultural educator in secondary and postsecondary schools, as well as for agriculture, food, and natural resources industries.
• Engage in research and scholarly activities related to teaching, communication, distance delivery, and leadership in agriculture, food, and natural resources.
• Benefit from the career and learning networks provided by agriculture, food, and natural resource educators.
• Learn to develop curriculum and instructional materials for agricultural students.
• The agriculture education program enhances communication and leadership skills for careers throughout agricultural education.
• Participate in continuing professional development opportunities after receiving a degree or starting a career.

Office of Enrollment Management, PO Box 641067, Washington State University, Pullman WA 99164-1067, 888-GO TO WSU (888-468-6978), Contact Us