GUIDE TO MAJORS AND PROGRAMS College of Agriculture Agricultural Education Overview Professional options Agricultural education prepares students to become agricultural leaders in their communities. Agricultural education involves coursework in the broad field of agriculture, including animal sciences, agronomy, horticulture, agribusiness, food science and agricultural mechanics. Careers The agricultural coursework, along with professional education courses, gives students the knowledge and skills to make a difference in their communities as teachers or agricultural professionals. Graduates in agricultural education are in high demand. Most graduates receive job offers before they graduate. Graduates have nearly a 100 percent job placement rate. Agricultural education teachers are well respected in their communities and make positive impacts on their students. They introduce students to the diversity of agriculture in the classroom, lab, shop and greenhouse. Teachers help young people set and reach their goals through active involvement in the national FFA organization. They help students learn to excel as individuals and as members of teams. Graduates are also recruited as agriculture and 4-H extension agents and in many agribusinesses. The human relations and presentation skills students learn in the professional education courses make them in demand in sales, finance, customer relations and many technical areas. Agricultural education graduates are qualified for many careers in the broad field of agriculture. The human relations skills they learn in the program make them strong candidates for careers as: n Agricultural education teacher n Extension agent n Agriculture finance representative n Crop consultant n Educational supervisor n Farm/ranch manager n Human resource specialist n International agriculture consultant n Production agriculture manager n Program coordinator n Sales/service representative Employers High schools Cooperative extension n Community colleges n Animal health companies n Soil conservation service n Agricultural finance firms n Government agencies n n Job experience Agricultural education students are exposed to field experience throughout their degree. Students spend time visiting agricultural education programs and secondary schools around the state. The final semester is dedicated to a teaching internship, giving students handson career experience prior to graduation. Academics Degree options Points of pride Kansas State University agricultural education graduates often receive job offers before they graduate. Graduates have nearly a 100 percent job placement rate. The agricultural education curriculum develops a diverse agricultural background. Along with majoring in agricultural education, many students easily achieve a minor within a department in the College of Agriculture, such as animal sciences and industry or agronomy. Accreditation The secondary education program is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Education Preparation, or CAEP, and the Kansas Department of Education. The university is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Universities. k-state.edu/admissions/academics Advising Students are assigned an agricultural education advisor who helps guide academics and assists with career planning. Advisors are an excellent source for finding help with student employment and other personal concerns. Licensure The K-State Agricultural Education program includes all requirements for teacher licensure set forth by the Kansas State Board of Education. Activities Clubs Students in agricultural education are active in College of Agriculture and university student organizations. The Agricultural Education Club is a great way to develop friendships, gain leadership skills and learn more about agricultural education. The Agricultural Education Club supports FFA and agricultural education in Kansas. Students in the Agricultural Education Club plan and host many activities, including the K-State Agricultural Education Club Speech Contest, Ag Fest activities and a scavenger hunt for the College of Agriculture Open House. The Agricultural Education Club offers excellent opportunities to gain important leadership skills, such as public speaking, planning, time management, delegation, teamwork, decision-making, parliamentary procedure and responsibility. Other activities include attending the National FFA Convention, professional development seminars, picnics, an annual banquet and regular monthly meetings. Suggested coursework The required courses provide students a well-balanced introduction to all areas of agriculture. In addition, students are well equipped with knowledge and experiences for success in formal or informal instructional settings. The second semester of the senior year is devoted to completing a teaching internship. General education courses in the humanities, mathematics, the natural sciences, and social and behavioral sciences will expand student perspectives. Students receive in-depth preparation by taking extensive coursework in agriculture. The required courses provide students a wellbalanced introduction to all areas of agriculture. Students also select an additional 12 hours of agriculture. This allows students to gain knowledge and experience in their areas of interest. The professional portion of the program includes courses in educational psychology, methods of teaching, foundations of education, special education, and multicultural and interpersonal relations. Students learn about teaching in the classroom and how to adjust teaching methods to the needs of exceptional students. The following is a sample of what a student schedule might look like. Freshman First Semester Hrs.Courses 3 ENGL 100 Expository Writing I 1 AGED 300Introduction to Agricultural Education 3 Social science elective# 3 ASI 102 Principles of Animal Science 3 MATH 100 College Algebra or Any math course with College Algebra as a prerequisite 3 Additional required agricultural electives 16 Second semester Hrs.Courses 3 CHEM 110 General Chemistry 1 CHEM 111 General Chemistry Lab 3 AGEC 120Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness 4 HORT 201Principles of Horticulture Science or 4 AGRON 220 Crop Science 6 Additional required agricultural electives 17 Second semester Hrs.Courses 2 COMM 105 Public Speaking IA 4 AGRON 305 Soils 3 STAT 320 Elements of Statistics 3 ASI 318 Fundamentals of Nutrition or 3 ASI 500 Genetics 2 AGED 262 Ag Structures 1 AGED 505 Field Experience 3 Humanities elective* 18 Junior First semester Hrs.Courses 3 AGED 260 Ag Construction 3 EDSEC 620Principles and Philosophy of Career and Technical Education 3 FSHS 110Introduction to Human Growth and Development 3 AGEC 308 Farm and Ranch Management or 3 AGEC 318Food and Agribusiness Management 3 Social science elective## 3 Elective 18 Second semester Hrs.Courses 2 AGED 264 Ag Power 3 Humanities elective** 2 EDSEC 405 Middle Level Education 2 EDCEP 315Educational Psychology (Block II) 2 EDSP 323Exceptional Student in Secondary Schools (Block I) 3 EDSEC 376Core Teaching Skills and Lab (Block I) 2 DED 318 Educational Technology 16 Senior First semester Hrs.Courses 1 EDCEP 325Interpersonal Relations in Schools (Block II) 1 EDCIP 455Teaching in a Multicultural Society (Block II) 2 AGED 400Leadership and Professional Development in Agricultural Education (Block II) 2 EDSEC 477Middle Level/Secondary Reading (Block II) 3 AGED 500Methods of Teaching Agriculture (Block II) 2 AGED 520Content and Reading Methods Lab (Block II) 3 AGED 615Laboratory and Safety Techniques in Teaching Agriculture (Block II) 3 AGED 621Program Planning in Agricultural Education (Block II) 17 Second semester Hrs.Courses 12 EDSEC 586Teaching Participation in the Secondary School and Professional Development Seminar (Block III) 12 #Elective from one of the following departments: AMETH, ANTH, ECON, GEOG, HIST, POLSC, PSYCH, SOCIO, WOMST (3 credit hours). ##Global issues and perspective course to meet K-State 8 requirements. Must be from one of the following departments: AMETH, ANTH, ECON, GEOG, HIST, POLSC, PSYCH, SOCIO, WOMST (3 credit hours). *One course in English literature is required for teacher certification. **One fine arts appreciation class in the humanities. FEach student must successfully complete credit bearing courses/experiences to cover all of the K-State 8 areas. For more information about agricultural education, contact: Department of Communications and Agricultural Education Kansas State University 301 Umberger Hall 1612 Claflin Road Manhattan, KS 66506–5305 785-532-5804 communications@k-state.edu communications.k-state.edu For more information about Kansas State University, contact: Office of Admissions Kansas State University 119 Anderson Hall 919 Mid-Campus Drive North Manhattan, KS 66506-0102 1-800-432-8270 (toll free) or 785-532-6250 k-state@k-state.edu k-state.edu/admissions Sophomore First semester Hrs.Courses 3 HORT 570Greenhouse Operations and Management or 3 HORT 350 Plant Propagation 4 BIOL 198 Principles of Biology 3 ENGL 200 Expository Writing II 3 Additional required agricultural electives 3 EDSEC 310 Foundations of Education 16 Notice of nondiscrimination Kansas State University prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex (including sexual harassment and sexual violence), sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, age, ancestry, disability, genetic information, military status, or veteran status, in the University’s programs and activities as required by applicable laws and regulations. The person designated with responsibility for coordination of compliance efforts and receipt of inquiries concerning nondiscrimination policies is the University’s Title IX Coordinator: the Director of the Office of Institutional Equity, equity@k-state.edu, 103 Edwards Hall, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas 66506, (785) 532-6220. The campus ADA Coordinator is the Director of Employee Relations, charlott@k-state.edu, who may be reached at 103 Edwards Hall, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas 66506, (785) 532-6277. 2016