Agricultural Education, Communication and Leadership Major - Agricultural Education Specialization

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Program Coordinator/Contact
Scott Smalley
Department of Teaching, Learning, and Leadership
Wenona Hall 102
605-688-6484
E-mail: scott.smalley@sdstate.edu
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 in the Agricultural Education specialization will complete a professional education curriculum, as well as supportive instruction in technical agriculture, basic science, and other competencies. Graduates of the Education Specialization will qualify for a secondary teaching certificate, and will also be prepared for a variety of careers in the agricultural industry.

Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the Agricultural Education Specialization of the Agricultural Education, Communication, and Leadership Major, students will:

Have broad knowledge of animal science, agronomy, agricultural systems technology, and agri-business and be prepared to teach these subjects at the secondary level.
Understand education concepts related to effective teaching and learning at the secondary level of education.
Be prepared to coordinate an effective program of high school vocational agriculture and serve as FFA advisor.
Be prepared for a variety of careers in agricultural production or agribusiness.
Locate and evaluate information to aid in decision making.
Have sufficient core competencies for effective lifetime learning.
Have a broad understanding of global challenges and issues related to food systems and agriculture
Demonstrate effective written and oral communications skills
Demonstrate critical thinking and decision making skills

Accreditation, Certification, and Licensure
Accreditation
National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education Programs (NCATE)
South Dakota Department of Education

Certification and Licensure
With this major and the accompanying teacher education coursework required for teaching licensure, candidates are eligible to take the Praxis content tests, and apply for a teaching license in South Dakota. Students are required to take the PRAXIS II content test, as well as the PRAXIS II Principles of Learning and Teaching test. The minimum score for the Praxis II PLT must be obtained for teaching licensure and varies by state.

Course Delivery Format
Most courses are delivered by traditional lecture/format, and some are offered by online delivery.

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

Bachelor of Science in Agriculture

System General Education Requirements*: 31

Goal #1 Written Communication:
ENGL 101*
and
ENGL 201*
Credits: 6
Goal #2 Oral Communication:
SPCM 101*
Credits: 3
Goal #3 Social Sciences/Diversity :
ECON 201*
or
ECON 202*
and Goal #3 Elective Credits: 6
Goal #4 Arts and Humanities/Diversity
: Credits: 6
Goal #5 Mathematics
MATH 102
Credits: 3
Goal #6 Natural Sciences:
BIOL 101-101L*
and
CHEM 106-106L*
Credits: 7

Institutional Graduation Requirements**: 5

Goal #1 First Year Seminar:
AGED 109**
Credits: 2
Goal #2 Cultural Awareness and Social and Environmental Responsibility:
PS 213-213L**
Credits: 3

Major Requirements: 56-57

AGEC 271-271L - Farm and Ranch Management and Lab Credits: 4
AGED 404 - Methods in AGED (AW) Credits: 3
AGED 412-412L - Preparation for Supervised Teaching Internship in AGED and Lab Credits: 4
AGED 488 - 7-12 Student Teaching in AGED Credits: 6
AGED 491 - Independent Study Credits: 1-3 (1 credit Welding)
AGED 494 - Internship Credits: 1-12 (1 credit required)
AS 101-101L - Introduction to Animal Science and Lab Credits: 3
AS 241-241L - Introduction to Meat Science and Lab Credits: 3
AS 285-285L - Livestock Evaluation and Marketing and Lab Credits: 4
AST 202-202L - Construction Technology and Materials and Lab Credits: 2
AST 211-211L - Ag and Outdoor Power for Teachers and Lab Credits: 1
AST 311-311L - Applied Electricity for Teachers and Lab Credits: 1
DS 130-130L - Introduction to Dairy Science and Lab Credits: 3
or DS 231 - Dairy Foods Credits: 3
GEOG 131-131L - Physical Geography: Weather and Climate and Lab * (COM) Credits: 4
BIOL 103-103L - Biology Survey II and Lab * (COM) Credits: 3
or GEOG 132-132L - Physical Geography: Natural Landscapes and Lab * (COM) Credits: 4
PHYS 101-101L - Survey of Physics and Lab * (COM) Credits: 4
HO 111-111L - Introduction to Horticulture and Lab Credits: 2, 1
PS 103-103L - Crop Production and Lab Credits: 3
NRM 110 - Environmental Conservation ** Credits: 3
or WL 220 - Introduction to Wildlife and Fisheries Management Credits: 3

Supporting Coursework: 23

ANTH 421-521 - Indians of North America ** (COM) Credits: 3
AGED 295 - Practicum Credits: 1
AGED 405 - Philosophy of Career and Technical Education Credits: 2
EDFN 365 - Computer-Based Technology and Learning (COM) Credits: 2
EDFN 427-527 - Middle School: Philosophy and Application Credits: 2
EDFN 475 - Human Relations (COM) Credits: 3
EPSY 302 - Educational Psychology (COM) Credits: 3
SEED 314 - Supervised Clinical/Field Experience Credits: 1
SEED 420-420L - 5-12 Teaching Methods and Lab (COM) Credits: 2
SEED 450 - Reading and Content Literacy (COM) Credits: 2
SPED 405 - Educating Secondary Students with Disabilities (COM) Credits: 2

Electives: 4-5

Contact advisor for approved agricultural related electives.

Total Required Credits: 120

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.