agricultural education

Agricultural Education is designed to prepare students to become teachers of agriculture, extension agents, and other professionals in areas that require a broad knowledge of agriculture. It focuses attention upon the development of leadership skills needed in planning and achieving long range goals and objectives, including improved agricultural production, conservation of natural and human resources and provision of educational programs for personal, family and community development.

The current status of agricultural education is that of a healthy, dynamic program. Agricultural Education is a growing profession with an increasing demand for personnel. The demand is expected to continue because of their broad training and exemplary performance in the world of work; the establishment of more departments of vocational agriculture in the urban areas and the practice of establishing multi-teacher education departments to provide specialists in technical areas of agriculture. Employment opportunities, however, are not limited to teaching, but extended to agriculturally-oriented businesses and other occupations related to agriculture.

The program requires twenty-six credit hours in agricultural education along with twenty-five credit hours in general education. Other support credits in agricultural economics, mathematics, and social studies are also required. Graduates with a B.S. degree in Agricultural Education who become teachers can expect a beginning salary of $24,000. Competitive salaries may be earned with government agencies and industry.