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Agricultural Communication

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OVERVIEW

Administered by the Department of Agricultural Education & Studies

The agricultural communication major provides students with critical knowledge and skills to be effective agricultural communicators. Graduates will communicate about agricultural science with diverse audiences within and outside the agricultural sector locally, nationally, and globally, using various communication channels and tools.

Students build a foundational knowledge of agricultural sciences such as animal science, horticulture, agronomy, agricultural and rural policy studies, global resource systems, food science and human nutrition, and agricultural business. They become proficient in communicating diverse agricultural topics with stakeholders, using various communication channels, tools, and strategies. Among others, students will develop knowledge and skills in areas such as audience and media analysis, strategic communication, message development for both online and offline communication channels, critical and analytical thinking, technical and research writing, public speaking, facilitation, persuasive and informative communication, public relations, agricultural issue analysis, development of agricultural promotional materials, and embracing diversity and differences in agriculture.

Agricultural communication students will obtain skills that enable them to be versatile in their career choices, pursuing work in public policy, agricultural extension, agri-business, non-profit sectors, commodity groups, agricultural cooperatives, education, research, publishing, sales, media, and agency work.

Student Learning Outcomes

Graduates will be successful in drawing from agricultural and communication coursework as well as experiential learning opportunities through clubs and internships to meet the three overall program outcomes:

  1. Demonstrate awareness of emerging issues in agriculture by engaging in conversations with the public and peers using various communication channels. 
  2. Identify target audiences and craft and deliver messages using appropriate communication channels.
  3. Critically analyze the advancement of agricultural communication and its implications in regional, national, and international settings. 

Curriculum in Agricultural Communication

Only 65 cr. from a two-year institution may apply, which may include up to 16 technical cr.; 9 P-NP cr. of general electives; 2.00 minimum GPA

University Requirements:

ENGL 1500Critical Thinking and Communication3
ENGL 2500Written, Oral, Visual, and Electronic Composition3
LIB 1600Introduction to College Level Research1
International Perspectives3
U.S. Cultures and Communities (formerly U.S. Diversity)3
Total Credits13

CALS Requirements:

Communication Proficiency:

6 cr. of English composition with a C or better and 3 cr. of speech fundamentals with a C or better

AGEDS 3110Presentation and Sales Strategies for Agricultural Audiences3
BIOL 2110Principles of Biology I3
BIOL 2120Principles of Biology II3
CHEM 1630College Chemistry4
CHEM 1630LLaboratory in College Chemistry1
ECON 1010Principles of Microeconomics3
or ECON 1020 Principles of Macroeconomics
Ethics Elective from Approved List3
Humanities Elective from Approved List3
MATH 1400College Algebra3
STAT 1040Introduction to Statistics3
Total Credits29

Major Requirements: Professional Communication:

AGEDS 1100Professional Development in Agricultural Education and Studies: New Student Seminar1
AGEDS 2110CAgricultural Industries and Agencies1
AGEDS 2150Professional Development in Agricultural Education and Studies: Career Seminar1
AGEDS 2270XFundamentals of Visual Communication for Agriculture and Life Sciences3
AGEDS 2630XCommunicate with Impact in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Life Science3
AGEDS 3270Survey of Agriculture and Life Sciences Communication3
AGEDS 4120Internship in Agricultural Education and Studies3
AGEDS 4630Communicating Contemporary Issues in Agriculture3
Communications Elective from Approved List21
Total Credits39

Major Requirements: Agricultural Sciences and Economics

Select one CALS area, take 12 credits including 6 credits at 3000-4000 level12
Select additional CALS area, take 6 credits any level6
Select additional CALS area, take 6 credits any level6
Select 9 credits from any CALS area9
Total Credits33

Electives: Select courses to bring total credits to 128. 

Four-Year Plan

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
AGEDS 11001ENGL 25003
Agriculture and Life Science Elective3International Perspectives3
Professional Communication Elective3AGEDS 2270X3
ENGL 15003Agriculture and Life Science Elective3
MATH 14003LIB 16001
BIOL 21103ECON 1010 or 10203
 16 16
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
Agriculture and Life Science Elective3CHEM 16304
BIOL 21203CHEM 1630L1
AGEDS 2630X3Professional Communication Elective3
Agriculture and Life Science Elective3Agriculture and Life Science Elective3
Ethics Elective3AGEDS 2110C1
General Elective1Psychology Elective3
 AGEDS 21501
 16 16
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
AGEDS 32703Professional Communication Elective3
Agriculture and Life Science Elective3Agriculture and Life Science Elective6
Professional Communication Elective3General Elective1
U.S. Cultures and Communities (formerly U.S. Diversity)3AGEDS 31103
STAT 10403Humanities Elective (from list)3
General Elective1 
 16 16
Fourth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
AGEDS 41203Professional Communication Elective6
Agriculture and Life Science Elective3General Elective4
Professional Communication Elective3Agriculture and Life Science Elective6
AGEDS 46303 
AGEDS 31503 
General Elective1 
 16 16
Total Credits: 128

*To meet Ag Elective Requirements, students meet requirements in the following areas:

Select one technical agricultural area in which you will complete at least 12 credits (6 of these must be 3000-4000 level courses).

Select two other technical agricultural areas in which you will complete at least 6 credits (2 courses) in each area.

Select 9 additional credits from CALS coursework.

A 2.0 grade point average is required. This plan is a sample.  Student plans may vary based on transfer credits, course availability and other factors.