Agricultural Education, Communication and Leadership (B.S.) - Agricultural Education Specialization

Location(s): Brookings Main Campus

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

Students standing in a group showing their FFA jackets.

Program Coordinator/Contact

Mary Christensen, Assistant Dean for Academic Programs
Agricultural Leadership, Education, Communication and Science (ALECS)
Berg Agricultural Hall 162
605-688-5133

Laura Hasselquist, Associate Professor
School of Education, Counseling and Human Development
Wenona Hall 110
605-688-6418

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.

Accreditation, Certification, and Licensure

Accreditation

Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
South Dakota Department of Education

Certification and Licensure

Completion of an approved bachelor’s Secondary preparation program.
Completion of an approved South Dakota Indian studies course.
Pass the state designated content knowledge test or 2.7 GPA in content major coursework.
Pass the state designated pedagogy test.
Completion of a Suicide Awareness and Prevention training, available free online through the South Dakota Department of Education.
Apply online with the South Dakota Department of Education.
Written recommendation from institution of higher education (SDSU) verifying program completion.

Course Delivery Format

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

Student Learning Outcomes

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

Demonstrate knowledge and skill across the broad field of the Agricultural, Food, and Natural Resources industries.
Demonstrate and apply educational content knowledge related to effective teaching and learning of diverse groups of secondary students.
Explain the importance of and show evidence of ethical and professional behaviors.
Locate and evaluate information to solve real world problems.
Evaluate core competencies and create plans for effective lifetime learning.
Demonstrate effective written and oral communications skills.
Evaluate a diverse spectrum of agriculturally related global challenges to communicate culturally responsible solutions to a variety of audiences.

Academic Requirements

A grade of “C” or better is required in CMST 101 , ENGL 101 , PSYC 101 , and MATH 103 or higher (if these courses are in your plan of study), and all courses for the major (classes with department/program prefix).
An overall GPA of 2.5 is required to enroll in any education courses.

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

Bachelor of Science

System General Education Requirements

Goal #1 Written Communication: SGR #1 Elective Credits: 6
Goal #2 Oral Communication: SGR #2 Elective Credits: 3
Goal #3 Social Sciences: AIS 211 - South Dakota American Indian Culture and Education (COM) [SGR #3, HSDC] Credits: 3 and ECON 201 - Principles of Microeconomics (COM) [SGR #3, HSDC] Credits: 3 (recommended) or ECON 202 - Principles of Macroeconomics (COM) [SGR #3, HSDC] Credits: 3
Goal #4 Arts and Humanities:
SGR #4 Electives Credits: 6
Goal #5 Mathematics: SGR #5 Elective Credit: 3
Goal #6 Natural Sciences: BIOL 101 - Biology Survey I (COM) [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 2 , BIOL 101L - Biology Survey I Lab (COM) [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 1 , CHEM 106 - Chemistry Survey (COM) [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 3 , and CHEM 106L - Chemistry Survey Lab (COM) [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 1

Major Requirements

AGEC 271 - Farm and Ranch Management Credits: 3
AGED 119 - First Year Seminar Credits: 2
AGED 404 - Methods in Agricultural Education Credits: 3
AGED 404L - Methods in Agricultural Education Lab Credits: 1
AGED 408 - Supervision of Work Experience and Youth Organizations Credits: 2
AGED 431 - Work Based Learning Credits: 2
AGED 491 - Independent Study (COM) Credits: 1-3 (1 credit Welding)
AGED 494 - Internship (COM) Credits: 1-12 (1 credit required)
AS 101 - Introduction to Animal Science Credits: 3
AS 101L - Introduction to Animal Science Lab Credits: 1
AS 241 - Introduction to Meat Science Credits: 2
AS 241L - Introduction to Meat Science Lab Credits: 1
AS 285 - Livestock Evaluation and Marketing Credits: 2
and AS 285L - Livestock Evaluation and Marketing Lab Credits: 1
or AGEC 354 - Agricultural Marketing and Prices Credits: 3
AST 202 - Construction Technology and Materials Credits: 1
AST 202L - Construction Technology and Materials Lab Credits: 1
AST 211L - Ag and Outdoor Power for Teachers Lab Credits: 1
AST 311L - Applied Electricity for Teachers Lab Credits: 1
BIOL 103 - Biology Survey II (COM) [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 2
BIOL 103L - Biology Survey II Lab (COM) [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 1
DS 130 - Introduction to Dairy Science Credits: 2
and DS 130L - Introduction to Dairy Science Lab Credits: 1
or DS 231 - Dairy Foods Credits: 3
or FS 101 - Introduction to Food Science Credits: 3
or FS 251 - Food Safety and Quality Management Systems Credits: 3
HO 111 - Introduction to Horticulture Credits: 2
and HO 111L - Introduction to Horticulture Lab Credits: 1
or HO 413 - Greenhouse and High Tunnel Management Credits: 2
and HO 413L - Greenhouse and High Tunnel Management Lab Credits: 1
NRM 110 - People and the Environment Credits: 3
or RANG 205 - Introduction to Range Management [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 2
and RANG 205L - Introduction to Range Management Lab [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 1
or WL 220 - Introduction to Wildlife and Fisheries Management Credits: 3
PS 103 - Crop Production Credits: 2
PS 103L - Crop Production Lab Credits: 1
PS 213 - Soils [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 2
PS 213L - Soils Lab [SGR #6, HSDC] Credits: 1

Teaching Specialization Requirements

AIS 211 - South Dakota American Indian Culture and Education (COM) [SGR #3, HSDC] Credits: 3
AGED 295 - Practicum (COM) Credits: 1
AGED 405 - Philosophy of Career and Technical Education Credits: 2
EDFN 340 - Adolescent Development in Educational Contexts Credits: 3
EDFN 351 - Teaching and Learning I Credits: 1
EDFN 352 - Teaching and Learning II Credits: 3
EDFN 352L - Teaching and Learning II Lab Credits: 2
EDFN 453 - Teaching and Learning III Credits: 3
EDFN 453L - Teaching and Learning III Lab Credits: 4
EDFN 454 - Teaching and Learning IV: Student Teaching Credits: 11
SEED 450 - Reading and Content Literacy (COM) Credits: 2
SEED 456 - Capstone/Action Research Credits: 1

Electives

Taken as needed to complete any additional degree requirements.

Total Required Credits: 120

Summary of Program Requirements

Bachelor of Science
System General Education Requirements*	31 Credit Hours
Major Requirements	47 Credit Hours
Teaching Specialization Requirements	33 Credit Hours
Electives**	9 Credit Hours

*System General Education Requirements for students pursuing a baccalaureate degree shall include a minimum of 30 credit hours. Some general education coursework may be counted for Major Requirements and Supporting Coursework.
**Taken as needed to complete any additional degree requirements.

Academic Advising Guide Sheet

The goal of the academic advising guide sheets and sample plans of study is to promote undergraduate student success by guiding all students to timely completion of an undergraduate degree. Students are not limited to the course sequence provided for their academic program. Instead, the sample plan of study is one possible path to completing your degree and is meant to be used as a guide for planning purposes in consultation with an academic advisor. The plans also help students prepare for meetings with their academic advisor and track their progress in their selected academic program.