Agricultural Education
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.cahnrs.wsu.edu/graduate_studies.htm
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
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.
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.
Salaries
Starting salaries are in the $36,000 to $40,000 range.
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.
You may also be eligible for a variety of federal, state, and University-sponsored scholarships and financial aid. To find out more, visit the Costs & Financial Aid section of the WSU Web site.
Related Fields of Study That Might Interest You
- Plant & Soil Systems
- Organic Agriculture Systems
- Pest Management Systems
- Agricultural Business and Technology Systems
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
Visit Department Web Page
Department of Agricultural and Food Systems
Watch a Video about this program
Department of Agricultural and Food Systems
Strengths of the Program
- Benefit from the University's rich selection of agriculture courses, science and general education classes, and modern classrooms and laboratories.
- Interact personally with faculty--students are encouraged to participate in research programs with faculty scientists who are on the leading edge of their fields.
- Learn and practice new agricultural technologies for the future.
- Join other science, math, and engineering students in the Gannon-Goldsworthy residence hall—share courses with your neighbors, study together, get free tutoring, and use the hall’s own computer lab.