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

Location(s): Brookings Main Campus

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Program Coordinator/Contact

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

Erica Quam, Professional Academic Advisor
School of Communication and Journalism
Yeager Hall 211
605-688-4171

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 School of Communication and Journalism.

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.

Course Delivery Format

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

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the Communication 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 in-depth knowledge of journalism and mass communication.
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 communication skills.
Evaluate a diverse spectrum of agriculturally related global challenges to communicate culturally responsible solutions to a variety of audiences.

Equipment and Supplies

Agricultural Communication students need a laptop and appropriate software to successfully complete the coursework and be adequately prepared for their professional careers. Apple Macs are the dominate choice in the industry. Necessary software includes Adobe Creative Cloud and Microsoft Word-compatible word processing software, as well as presentation and spreadsheet software, such as PowerPoint and Excel.

Requirements for Agricultural Education, Communication and Leadership Major - Communication 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: SGR #3 Elective 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 Credits: 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

ADV 370 - Advertising Principles (COM) Credits: 3
AGED 119 - First Year Seminar Credits: 2
or MCOM 119 - First-Year Seminar in Communication and Journalism Credits: 2
Agricultural Electives - Select from the following disciplines: ABS, AGEC, AGED, AS, AST, DS, EES, FS, HO, NRM, PRAG, PS, RANG, VET, or WL Credits: 9
AS 101 - Introduction to Animal Science Credits: 3
AS 101L - Introduction to Animal Science Lab Credits: 1
CMST 215 - Public Speaking (COM) [SGR #2, HSDC] Credits: 3
or CMST 410 - Organizational Communication (COM) Credits: 3
MCOM 210 - Basic Media Writing (COM) Credits: 3
MCOM 220 - Introduction to Digital Media (COM) Credits: 3
MCOM 265 - Basic Photography (COM) Credits: 3
or MCOM 331 - Video Production (COM) Credits: 3
MCOM 311 - News Editing (COM) Credits: 3
or MCOM 438 - Watchdog Reporting Credits: 3
or PUBR 345 - Public Relations Writing Credits: 3
MCOM 394 - Internship (COM) Credits: 1-12 (3 credits required)
or MCOM 494 - Internship (COM) Credits: 1-12 (3 credits required)
MCOM 430 - Media Law (COM) Credits: 3
MCOM 434 - Advanced Multiplatform Storytelling Credits: 3
MCOM or ADV or PUBR Electives Credits: 9
PS 103 - Crop Production Credits: 2
PS 103L - Crop Production Lab Credits: 1

Capstone Requirements

Select from the following. Credits: 3-4

ABS 475 - Integrated Natural Resource Management Credits: 3
AGEC 471 - Advanced Farm & Ranch Management Credits: 3
AS 389 - Current Issues in Animal Science Credits: 3
DS 480 - Dairy Farm Operations I Credits: 3
DS 480L - Dairy Farm Operations I Lab Credits: 1
DS 481 - Dairy Farm Operations II Credits: 3
DS 481L - Dairy Farm Operations II Lab Credits: 1
HO 434 - Local Food Production Credits: 2
HO 435 - Local Food Production: Harvest and Storage Credits: 2
PRAG 440 - Crop Management with Precision Farming Credits: 2
PRAG 440L - Crop Management with Precision Farming Lab Credits: 1
RANG 374 - Habitat Conservation and Management Credits: 3
RANG 374L - Habitat Conservation and Management Lab 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	56-58 Credit Hours
Electives**	31-33 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.