Academics: Programs of Study: Undergraduate Degree Programs
Agricultural Education
- Department: Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication
- Degree: Bachelor of Science in Agriculture - BSA
- UGA Bulletin: Major Requirements
- Campus: Athens and Tifton
- UGA Career Center: Career Choices
Career Opportunities
The courses offered in this program prepare students for teaching positions in secondary school agriculture programs and related professional jobs in agriculture. Students majoring in Agricultural Education develop a broad background in the agricultural sciences and upon satisfactory completion of the program are qualified for certification by the State Department of Education as teachers of agriculture. The Agricultural Education program is a major component of the Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communication.
In addition to the opportunities for teaching agriculture, graduates of this program are employed in the Cooperative Extension Service and in many other leadership positions in the fields of agriculture and education. Such positions capitalize on the technical and professional skills of these graduates for application in various selling, promotional, administrative, research, and educational leadership projects.
Early Experience
Students majoring in Agricultural Education and any students considering an Agricultural Education major are encouraged to visit a high school program and "shadow" the teacher of Agriculture for several days. Course credit may be available for this "early experience". This activity helps students to better understand the job of teaching agriculture and to better plan their college program in preparation for the job. It is also very useful in helping students decide whether or not an Agricultural Education major is right for them.
Introductory Course
All Agricultural Education majors are required to enroll in EAGR 4340, Developing Community Programs. This course, which is offered only fall semester, helps students understand program principles and philosophy, and how to use demographic data to design and implement community-based agricultural education. Students apply for admission to teacher education during the course.
Admission to Teacher Education
Prior to enrolling in the professional sequence, EAGR 4350, 4360, and 5460, students must comply with Regents' requirements for admission to teacher education. Specifically, the following requirements must be met:
- Completion of at least one semester in residence at UGA
- A minimum of 2.5 GPA on UGA resident course work (2.5 on all course work if a student holds a bachelors degree in another major)
- Satisfactory completion of ENGL 1101 and 1102
- Grade of C or better in a Foundations of Education course (EFND 2030 or other approved course)
- Passing scores on the Regents' Test
- Demonstration of oral language competency (SPCM 1100 or equivalent or advisor's clearance)
Applications for admission to teacher education are due in the Agricultural Education office one month before the semester in which the first professional course is taken.
Apprentice Teaching (Student Teaching)
During spring semester of the senior year, each student does apprentice teaching (student teaching) in a selected off-campus school for which 12 semester hours of credit are given. A cadre of over 50 experienced teachers of agriculture located in public secondary schools throughout Georgia have been prepared to supervise apprentice teachers on a daily basis. This system of training enables the student to deal firsthand with the problems of teaching agriculture. The apprentice is also under the careful supervision of the University Agricultural Education faculty.