Agricultural Education, Communication and Leadership Major - Leadership Specialization

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Program Coordinator/Contact
Mary Christensen
College of Agriculture and Biological Sciences
Agricultural Hall 156
605-688-5133
E-mail: mary.christensen@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. Graduates of the Agricultural Education, Communication and Leadership Major - Leadership specialization will be well prepared for employment with agricultural organizations such as breed associations and commodity organizations.

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 principles of leadership.
Demonstrate effective written and oral communications skills
Be prepared for a career related to leadership of agricultural organizations.
Locate and evaluate information to support 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 and the ability to communicate these topics to the public
Demonstrate critical thinking and decision making skills.

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 - Leadership 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
SOC 240*
Credits: 6
Goal #4 Arts and Humanities/Diversity:
PHIL 220*
and 3 credit elective. Credits: 6
Goal #5 Mathematics
Credits: 3
Goal #6 Natural Sciences:
BIOL 101-101L*
and
CHEM 106-106L*
Credits: 7

Capstone Requirement: 3-4

Choose one of the following:

ABS 475-475L - Integrated Natural Resource Management and Lab (AW) Credits: 3
AGEC 421-521 - Farming and Food Systems Economics Credits: 3
AGEC 478 - Agricultural Finance Credits: 3
AS 474-474L - Cow/Calf Management and Lab Credits: 3
AS 475 - Feedlot Operations and Management Credits: 3
AS 477-477L - Sheep and Wool Production and Lab Credits: 3
AS 478-478L - Swine Production and Lab Credits: 3
AST 303-303L - Design Management Experience and Lab Credits: 3
AST 463-563 - Agricultural Waste Management (AW) Credits: 3
DS 412-412L - Dairy Farm Management and Lab Credits: 4
PS 440-440L - Crop Management with Precision Farming and Lab Credits: 3
RANG 485-485L - Advanced Integrated Ranch Management and Lab Credits: 3

Electives: 47-50

MCOM Elective Credits: 2
General Electives Credits: 45-48
Select any course from the Advanced Writing list. Common choices include: ABS 475-475L , ADV 371-371L , AGED 404 , AS 489 , AST 463 , DS 490 , ENGL 379 , MCOM 316 , or MCOM 438-438L .

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.