Oklahoma State University

861

Agricultural Education The programs of study offered in Agricultural Education are designed to provide both comprehensive and specialized training to prepare graduates for careers in a wide range of fields of agriculture. In addition to being prepared for licensure as teachers, graduates are professionally prepared for work in cooperative extension and other federal and state programs and services, as well as international education endeavors. Graduates also may find employment as educational directors and consultants with agribusiness firms and organizations. Studies may culminate in the BS, MAg, MS or PhD degrees. The Agricultural Education program is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). The undergraduate teaching option is designed to qualify the bachelor’s degree recipient for the Oklahoma Agricultural Education Teaching License. This license is recognized as meeting requirements for initial employment as a teacher in most states. Graduates look forward to careers ranging from Agricultural Education Teacher and Cooperative Extension Educator to agricultural sales, marketing and production positions. The undergraduate Agricultural Education major is structured to provide educational experiences in general education, agriculture and professional education. However, additional degree options are offered to allow students the opportunity to specialize in a particular area of agriculture or natural resources such as Animal Agriculture or Horticultural Sciences. Undergraduate Programs • Agricultural Education: Agricultural Business and Economics, BSAG (p. 862) • Agricultural Education: Agricultural Communications, BSAG (p. 864) • Agricultural Education: Animal Agriculture, BSAG (p. 866) • Agricultural Education: Horticultural Sciences, BSAG (p. 868) • Agricultural Education: Multidisciplinary, BSAG (p. 870) • Agricultural Education: Natural Resources, BSAG (p. 872) Graduate Programs Graduate programs in Agricultural Education are designed to: 1. prepare students for entry into or advancement in teaching careers, and 2. provide for further development of professional leadership skills for other educational careers in agriculture, agribusiness, government service, extension or adult education. To meet the needs of both international and domestic students, plans of study are developed for academic excellence specific to students' career goals. The selection and organization of courses are made in consultation with the adviser and the student's advisory committee. The Master of Science program offers students three options for completion of the degree: thesis option, formal report option and creative component option. The thesis option requires 30 approved credit hours of coursework, which includes a six-credit hour formal thesis following the graduate college format. The formal report and creative component options require 32 approved semester credit hours of coursework, including a two-credit hour formal report or creative component. The Doctor of Philosophy program is designed to prepare graduates for careers in professional education, supervision, administration, curriculum

development and other areas of professional leadership in Agriculture, Agricultural Extension, Career and Technology, and Agricultural Communications. Within the minimum 60-credit hour requirement, 15 credit hours must be completed in Agricultural Education. In addition, 15 credit hours must be completed in an area of specialization such as Agricultural Extension, Technical Agriculture, Educational Administration, or other similar areas. The additional hours include 15 hours of research design and statistics and 15 hours for the dissertation. Admission Requirements Students seeking admission to the master's degree program must have earned a bachelor's degree in Agricultural Education, Agriculture or Education. A student with background deficiencies must compensate for such deficiencies before completing the Master of Science degree. Evidence of academic ability (2.80 GPA or above) in undergraduate coursework is required. Three letters of reference and a statement of purpose are also required. Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores are required for students seeking admission to the Master of Science degree program. Admission to the doctoral degree program is based upon evidence that the applicant meets the general requirements of the Graduate College, has demonstrated superior achievement, and can successfully complete a doctoral program as evidenced by three letters of recommendation, GRE scores, a minimum of 2.80 undergraduate grade-point average and 3.00 graduate grade-point average, three years of successful professional experience, and a philosophy statement and goals. Alternative criteria may be considered by the graduate committee for those who submit ample supportive evidence of other exemplary qualifications. Faculty Robert Terry, Jr., PhD—Professor and Head Professors: D. Dwayne Cartmell, PhD; M. Craig Edwards, PhD; James P. Key, EdD (emeritus); J. Shane Robinson, PhD; Shelly R. Sitton, PhD; Penny L. Weeks, PhD; William G. Weeks, PhD Associate Professors: Jon W. Ramsey, PhD; Jeff Sallee, PhD Assistant Professors: Marshall Baker, PhD; Ruth Inman, PhD; Angel Riggs, PhD; Quisto Settle, PhD