2014-2015 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
    Mar 28, 2024  
2014-2015 Undergraduate Catalog [Archived Catalog]

Agricultural Education, Communication and Leadership Major - Communication Specialization


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Program Coordinator/Contact

Donald M. Marshall, Associate Dean and Director
Academic Programs of the College of Agriculture and Biological Sciences
Berg Agricultural Hall 156
605-688-5133
E-mail: donald.marshall@sdstate.edu
www.sdstate.edu/abs
Click here for additional information. 
Mary Arnold, Department Head
Department of Journalism and Mass Communication
Yeager Hall 211
605-688-4171
E-mail: mary.arnold@sdstate.edu
www.sdstate.edu/mcom

Click here for additional information. 

Program Information
The Agricultural Education Communication and Leadership Major  is a multidisciplinary program that provides a strong foundation in agricultural sciences. The major allows students the flexibility to select a plan of study based on their interests and skills by choosing one of three specializations: Education, Communication, or Leadership. Students specializing in communication take courses in agriculture along with courses in the Journalism and Mass Communication department.

Graduates of the Communication specialization report agricultural information to farmers and ranchers, consumers, governmental agencies, agribusinesses, commodity groups, and legislators through positions in public relations, sales, marketing, journalism, social media, and the government. 

Student Learning Outcomes

  • Upon completion of the Agricultural Communication Specialization of the Agricultural Education, Communication, and Leadership Major, students will:
  • Have introductory knowledge of animal science, agronomy, and agri-business.
  • Have in-depth knowledge of journalism and mass communication.
  • Demonstrate effective written and oral communications skills
  • Be prepared for a career related to agribusiness communication.
  • Locate and evaluate information to support communication
  • Have sufficient core competencies for effective lifetime learning.
  • Have a broad understanding of global challenges and issues related to food systems and agriculture and the ability to communicate these topics to the public
  • Demonstrate critical thinking and decision making skills.

Equipment and Supplies
Students are encouraged to purchase a Macintosh laptop and software appropriate for the discipline.

Course Delivery Format
The program offers coursework in classroom, studio, online, and field-based settings.

Requirements for Agricultural Education, Communication and Leadership Major - Communication Specialization: 120 Credits


Bachelor of Science in Agriculture

System General Education Requirements*: 31


Institutional Graduation Requirements**: 5


College Requirements: 5


Electives: 35-36


Total Required Credits: 120


Notes: Students must have at least 25 credits in 300+ level courses, excluding internships, cooperative education, or field experience courses.

Curriculum Notes


* The 30 credit Board of Regents System General Education Requirements (SGRs) must be completed as part of a student’s first 64 credits.

** South Dakota State University has a 5 credit Institutional Graduation Requirement (IGRs).

(G) Globalization Requirement.

(AW) Advanced Writing Requirement.

Students must take the proficiency examination after completing 48 credits. English 101, and a course in each of the General Education areas of social science, mathematics, natural science, and humanities and arts must be taken prior to taking this exam.

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