Overview

A major in Agricultural Education provides the communication skills, leadership training, and knowledge of technical and agriculture necessary to be certified as a teacher of agricultural education, particularly in high schools and community colleges. You can also find employment in agricultural development, personnel training, and sales positions in various agricultural-related industries.

Agricultural teachers need a broad background in agriculture. As such, expect to take courses in agricultural economics, animal science, entomology, veterinary science, and crop and weed sciences. You can frequently choose among several certification areas including horticulture, agribusiness, natural resource management, and agricultural production.

State teacher certification is based on the recommendations from the departments of education in individual states. Wherever you are, though, it's a virtual certainty that you'll participate in student teaching at high schools near campus. Keep in mind, by the way, that you should make your student teaching plans as early as you can.

SAMPLE CURRICULUM

  • Agricultural Economics

  • Animal Science

  • Biology

  • Chemistry

  • Dairy Science

  • Educational Psychology

  • Feeds and Feeding

  • History and Philosophy of Extension Education

  • Instructional Planning, Methods and Assessment

  • Leadership and Presentation Techniques

  • Methods of Teaching Agriculture

  • Principles of Crop Production

  • Soil Science

  • Statistics

  • Student Teaching

  • World Food Crops


HIGH SCHOOl PREPARATION

English and history courses are also a very good idea, as are agriculture courses (of course) if your high school offers them. Courses in biology, chemistry, math, and earth science will also serve you well. Courses in speech (and anything else involving public speaking) are good, too.