M.S. Agricultural Education

Prepare to meet the demand for professional county extension educators and high school agricultural science teachers. Study advanced teaching methods, leadership and communications, and research methodologies related to agricultural and extension education.

As a student in the program, you will conduct a unique and independent research project with the guidance of an adviser and graduate committee. You'll present your findings to professors and peers and demonstrate your expertise in a question and answer session.

Select between two options:

• Thesis: Develop a research methodology, carry out scientific data collection, interpret and analyze your results. Thoroughly cite sources. Publish your findings in an academic periodical such as the Journal of Agricultural Education, Journal of Extension, Journal of International Agricultural and Extension Education, or the Journal of Leadership Education.
• Practical project: Analyze an aspect of an agriculture education program for a real-life client. Demonstrate how your findings improve the field of agricultural education. Put together a professional paper of your project and results.

You may work closely with professors and undergraduates on educational and service projects related to agricultural and extension education. Assist with Future Farmers of America (FFA) career development events, FFA state leadership conferences, and county and state 4-H youth development programs. 

You will also have the chance to work alongside faculty on research projects, prepare journal papers, and present research at regional, national and international conferences in agricultural and extension education. Or, help professors with their work as a teaching assistant or research assistant. Paid positions are available.

Prepare for Success

Candidates for this program should have:

• An undergraduate degree in agricultural education or a closely related field.
• An interest in research methodologies and data collection.
• A desire to think critically about topics in agriculture and education.

Your First Year

Your first year, you should expect to:

• Take courses in research methodologies and education methods.
• Select one professor from the department who will act as your adviser and serve on your graduate committee.
• Choose at least two other professors from the University (one can be from another department such as economics or communications) who will make up your graduate committee.
• Work with your committee to plan the specifics of your course work and research goals.
• Select a research topic.

What You Can Do

With this degree, you may become one of the following:

• Extension educator: Develop curriculum and teach agricultural topics to adults. Evaluate the effectiveness of educational programs and make improvements based on your analysis.
• Secondary school agriculture instructor: Teach secondary school agricultural science and technology, maintain learning facilities, and oversee student projects in Future Farmers of America (FFA) and supervised agricultural experience.
• Youth development educator: Provide learning opportunities for 4-H, FFA and other organizations serving youth.
• Agricultural organization professional: Work in management and leadership positions with agricultural organizations, governmental agencies, commodity groups, livestock associations or Farm Bureau.
  

Opportunities

Demand for our graduates exceeds supply, and they often receive more than one job offer. More than 7,500 high schools across the country offer programs in agricultural science and technology. Nearly every county in the United States offers county-based extension education programs for youth and adults alike.

While most of our graduates become educators, others find employment with agricultural commodity organizations and governmental agencies. Starting salaries are as high as $45,000.

Current Research

Conduct an independent research project like these:

• Thesis – Research topics have included:
• Industry needs study: Gather data from online surveys to evaluate the skill needs of industry representatives.
• Program evaluation: Collect and analyze information on a specific agriculture education program. Measure the satisfaction of teachers and effectiveness of instruction according to program characteristics.
• Client assessment: Evaluate the demographics, needs and satisfaction of clients receiving agricultural curriculum.
• Practical project – Topics have included:
• Assess a facility: Study the conditions of a facility such as a greenhouse and devise a plan for improvements.
• Plan curriculum: Determine the best way to integrate new topics and teaching techniques in a course such as agricultural mechanics.
• Document benefits: Create a tool for teachers to determine the educational skills offered by different educational activities.
  

Activities

Graduate and Professional Student Association: Gain leadership experience and represent your department in student government.
Annual Student Research Expo: Compete for cash prizes awarded for graduate research presentations.
College of Graduate Studies Awards: Share in the annual recognition of graduate students engaged in outstanding teaching, research, leadership and mentoring.

Hands-On Experience

Gain hands-on experiences like these:

• Teaching assistant: Assist a professor in teaching a course. Work directly with undergraduates. Help grade papers and exams. Paid positions are available.
• Research assistant: Assist professors with their research programs. Transcribe recorded interviews, administer surveys, enter and evaluate data and help write findings. Paid positions are available.
• Mentor: Guide high school students and undergraduates as they judge livestock and help organize Future Farmers of America (FFA) and 4-H activities.
• International research: Broaden your perspective in countries like these:
• Costa Rica: Gather data on farmer education in remote areas.
• Ireland: Take a course on agriculture techniques that have been used for hundreds of years.
• South Africa: Attend a meeting of the Association for International Agricultural and Extension Education. 

Facilities

You’ll have access to instructors who teach extension education, as well as facilities such as on-campus greenhouses, plant science farms, livestock and numerous scientific laboratories.