Academics > Colleges/Schools and Departments > Hutson School of Agriculture > Programs > Agricultural Education
Agricultural Education
Career Outlook
If you like to work with young people, farmers, farm-related
agribusinessmen and other influential people; have a pleasing
personality and a cooperative attitude; want a teaching job in
the vast field of agriculture/agribusiness; have had experience
in farming and/or a farm-related industry; and seek
employment in an occupational field with advancement
opportunities competitive with graduates of many other
academic disciplines, then consider pursuing a program in
Agricultural Education at Murray State University.
Completion of the 128-credit-hour program will prepare you
to join some 12,000 other agricultural education teachers in
Kentucky and throughout the nation as a teacher of agriculture
in the middle, secondary, and post-secondary schools. Instruc-
tional programs include agricultural production, food production, horticulture, agricultural mechanics, agricultural sales and
services, and agricultural resource conservation.
Career opportunities also include occupations in agricultural
production, private industry, and federal and state agencies,
including agricultural extension and agricultural credit
agencies.
Courses of Study
Pre-higher education preparation for a career in agricultural education should include a high school program in general education and work experience in farming and/or in a farm-related occupation. Although not required, completion of a high school curriculum in agricultural education and involvement with the FFA is highly recommended.
Upon completion of the necessary requirements, students will be certified to teach agriculture in the state of Kentucky. Out-of-state certification is also possible.
A Master of Science degree program in Agriculture - Agricultural Education is also offered.
Facilities
School of Agriculture facilities include classrooms,
laboratories and offices housed in the south wing of the
Oakley Applied Science Building, the A. Carman Animal
Health Technology Center, the E.B. Howton Agricultural
Engineering Building, the Equine Instructional Facility,
greenhouses and three farm complexes located near campus.
The horse and beef facilities are a part of the farm-laboratory
complex. The West Kentucky Livestock and Exposition Center
is utilized for equine and rodeo classes, contests, field days,
judging contests, clinics and numerous agriculture activities.
Organizations
Collegiate FFA/Alpha Tau Alpha
- Develops fellowship between students in agriculture
related studies.
- Promotes activities which develop leadership and
citizenship abilities.
- Provides a vital link to high school students and
departments of agricultural education.
- Club activities are instrumental in the agriculture
recruitment plan.
- Competitive and recognized at the national level.
- Sponsor for the State Proficiency Award.
Curriculum 2009-2011 Catalog
| University Studies Courses | 43-44 Hours |
| Agriculture Core Courses
AGR 099 Transitions (Freshman Orientation) (1 hour)
AGR 100 Animal Science (3 hours)
AGR 130 Intro. to Agribusiness (3 hours)
AGR 133 Field Applications for Ag (2 hours)
AGR 140 Plant Science OR AGR 160 Horticultural Science OR AGR 240 Crop Science (3 hours)
AGR 170 Intro to Ag Systems Tech (3 hours)
AGR 199 Contemporary Issues in Ag (3 hours)
AGR 345 Soil Science (3 hours)
AGR 339 Computer Applications for Ag (3 hours)
AGR 399 Professional Development Seminar I (1 hour)
AGR 599 Ag Senior Capstone (1 hour) | 26 Hours |
| Agricultural Education Option
AED 380 Intro to Ag Education, Extension and Leadership (3 hours)
AED 583 Practicum in Ag Education, Extension and Public Service Leadership (3 hours)
AGR 360 Greenhouse Management (3 hours)
AGR 337 Ag Sales and Merchandising -OR- AGR 433 Farm Management (3 hours)
Students will select one course from the list:
AGR 461 Plant Propagation (3 hours)
AGR 471 Applications for Precision Agriculture (3 hours)
AGR 573 Ag Processing Systems (3 hours)
AGR 325 Small Animal Science (3 hours)
AGR 321 Poultry Science (3 hours)
AGR 303 Advanced Horse Science (3 hours)
AGR 555 Advanced Soil Fertility (3 hours) Students will select one course from the list:
AGR 362 Floral Design (3 hours)
AGR 364 Nursery Management (3 hours)
AGR 367 Residential Landscape Design (3 hours)
AGR 368 Landscape Construction (3 hours) Students will select one course from the list:
AGR 300 Animal Nutrition (3 hours)
AGR 301 Livestock Judging (3 hours)
AGR 302 Horse Science (3 hours)
AGR 311 Beef Science (3 hours)
AGR 326 Swine Science (3 hours)
Students will select one course from the list:
AGR 371 Ag Buildings and Construction (3 hours)
AGR 372 Ag Metal Processes (3 hours)
AGR 570 Ag Systems Tech Lab Management (3 hours)
| 24 Hours |
Professional Education Courses
AED 580 Methods to Teaching Ag Education (3 hours)
CTE 501 Teaching through Application (3 hours)
CTE 502 Instructional Media, Curricula and Assessment in CTE (3 hours)
CTE 503 Planning and Implementing Instruction in CTR (3 hours)
HEA 195 First Aid and Safety (2 hours)
SED 300 Education Students with Disabilities (3 hours)
SEC 421 Teaching Students in Secondary School (14 hours)
| 31 Hours |