Bachelor of Science [B.S] [Agricultural Education] From Washington State University

The program is offered by .  Highly sought after by employers, graduates can go on to teach high school and middle school agricultural science classes, as well as serve as FFA advisors, adult education instructors, community outreach coordinators, or university extension agents.

Strengths of the program

• Participate in continuing professional development opportunities after receiving a degree or starting a career.
• The agriculture education program enhances communication and leadership skills for careers throughout agricultural education.
• Learn to develop curriculum and instructional materials for agricultural students.
• Benefit from the career and learning networks provided by agriculture, food, and natural resource educators.
• Engage in research and scholarly activities related to teaching, communication, distance delivery, and leadership in agriculture, food, and natural resources.
• Prepare for a successful career as an agricultural educator in secondary and postsecondary schools, as well as for agriculture, food, and natural resources industries.

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 and soils; horticulture; and agricultural and resource economics.

Career

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 non-teaching 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

• FFA advisor

• Administrator of industry-based training/information programs

• Administrator of public relations programs

• High school career and technical education director

• Sales and service

• Government agencies, such as SCS, ASCS, and FmHA

• Public service organizations, such as Farm Bureau or livestock/crop commodity boards