What is Agricultural Education?
Agricultural Education is a major that prepares you for leadership positions in education or agribusiness. Preparing teachers of agriculture is our primary mission, however, skills developed in this program are transferable to any career where communication skills and technical knowledge about agriculture are important.

Agricultural Education is very diverse. It includes all aspects of sciences related to the: technology of food and fiber production, marketing, business management, finance, wildlife, natural resource management, food processing, product development, sales, communications, ag. research, plant, soil, and animal science, mechanics, public policy, international trade, and more.

If any of these areas are interesting to you and you enjoy the challenge of leading, communicating ideas, setting the standard for others to follow, then you'll like Agricultural Education.

What Career Opportunities are Available in Ag. Ed.?
Over half our graduates choose to teach the applied science of agriculture. The rest choose careers such as those listed below that require the skills learned in Agricultural Education. Many Ag. Ed. majors increase their employment options by taking courses that lead to certification to teach "science" or "career orientation." However, if you want to teach agriculture, you will have no problem finding a job in Arkansas or nearby states. Starting salaries are in the mid to upper 20s. Skills you gain will give you a variety of career options as you enter the 21st Century. Some of those non-teaching careers include:

* 4-H Youth or Agricultural Extension Agent
* Administration of industry-based training/info. programs
* Administration of public relations programs
* Sales and service
* Government agencies, (SCS, ASCS, FmHA, etc.)
* Public service organizations (i.e. Farm Bureau, livestock/crop commodity boards)
* Peace Corps, agricultural missionary, or similar work with other international agencies and many others.

 
Why Should I Come to ASU?
* Ag. Ed. is a four-year program
* High quality instructional program
* Graduates are successful and sought after by schools, businesses and industries
* Wide choice of rewarding careers outside field of teaching
* Excellent job placement
* Less costly than most universities
* Availability of scholarships, grants and financial aid
* Exciting student organizations and recreational activities
* One-on-one student advising
* Paid and credit internships and work experience program
* On campus, single and married student housing
* Qualified, caring faculty, with a broad range of practical experiences
* Convenient location of Jonesboro to Little Rock and Memphis
* Well organized, friendly campus -- easy to walk to all classes
* Foreign language is NOT required for admission or graduation
* Out-of-state tuition is not required of students from some counties in Mississippi, Tennessee and Missouri

Are Scholarships and Financial Aid Available?

YES! Lack of money is no reason to forego college. Many scholarships are provided to Agricultural Education majors through the College of Agriculture. Other sources of funds are available through university scholarships, grants, student loans and the work study program. Application for scholarships or grants must be submitted early in the spring. You may wish to contact the Financial Aid Office to get the specific deadline dates 870-972-2310).

Will I Have An Advisor?
YES! The Agricultural Education faculty care and want to see you succeed at college and in a career. The faculty is well prepared to help you make the transition from high school to college or to help those returning to school after a delay. The faculty has a wide range of practical experiences. You can draw upon those experiences to help meet any of your advising needs. The one-on-one advising adds the personal touch needed for a successful college experience and entry into a career.

 
What Extracurricular Activities are Related to Ag. Ed.?
Agricultural Education majors may become involved in Alpha Tau Alpha, Collegiate FFA, and many other campus clubs, organizations, and fraternities/sororities at ASU. The primary goal of these organizations is to help members develop personally and professionally.

Alpha Tau Alpha, an honorary organization for agricultural education majors, provides opportunities for growth through involvement in national, regional and state events. Activities include cookouts, sporting events, sponsoring programs and lectures, holding an annual banquet, sponsoring FFA contests and awards, conducting service projects, attending national and regional meetings and participating in the National Agricultural Education Debate Contest, Program of Excellence and Essay Contest.

The Collegiate FFA is very important if you are interested in continuing your leadership development. Through the ATA, Collegiate FFA and other organizations, you will have many opportunities to develop and expand your leadership experiences.

 
Where Do Majors Come From?
Students majoring in Agricultural Education come from all parts of Arkansas and all over the mid-south region (Missouri, Tennessee, and Mississippi). The odds are that we either have a student from your area in school here at ASU now, or we have alumni from your area.
 

 What Courses Would I Take in Agricultural Education?
The Agricultural Education curriculum blends a broad range of technical courses in the general and agricultural sciences, with courses in professional education. Education courses teach communication and presentation strategies, interpersonal and group leadership skills. This combination of knowledge and skills will make you stand out in the job market. A typical college program in Agricultural Education may include some of the following agriculture courses:

* Landscape Materials and Design
* Farm Management
* Weeds and Weed Control
* International Commodity Marketing
* Economic Entomology
* Soil Fertility
* Field Crops
* Agricultural Youth Organizations (FFA, 4-H, etc.)
* Principles of Dairying
* Wildlife Management
* Introduction to Agricultural and Extension Education
* Feeds and Feeding
* Special Methods of Teaching Agricultural Education
* Forage and Pasture Crops
* Agricultural Marketing
* Livestock Evaluation and Selection
* Plant Breeding
* Greenhouse Management
* Introduction to Horticulture
* Principles of Agricultural Power
* Application of Welding Technologies to Agriculture
* Methods and Materials of Teaching Career Orientation
 

PPST

State minimum cut-off scores have been adopted.  Candidates seeking admission to the ASU Teacher Education Program must complete all three tests, and they must obtain a minimum score of 172 on reading, 171 on mathematics, and 173 on writing.  The PPST may be repeated in whole or in part.  The PPST is available on computer at the Testing Center Monday through Friday during normal working hours or by paper and pencil on the six test dates listed on the ETS Registration Bulletin.   Score reporting from the computerized testing usually takes three weeks and score reporting on paper and pencil test usually takes six weeks. 

 

For More Information :

Contact
 Dr. David Agnew
P. O. Box 1080,
Arkansas State University,
Jonesboro, AR 72467
Or call
(870) 972-2453

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