Agricultural Education and Studies (AgEdS)

Robert A. Martin, Head of Department
Professors: Acker, Carter, Crawford, Martin, W. Miller, Williams
Professors (Emeritus): Gamon, Gauger, Hoerner, Lawrence, Parsons
Associate Professors: Bogue, Honeyman, Jones, G. Miller, Trede
Associate Professors (Emeritus): Bruene
Assistant Professors: Grudens-Schuck, Morris, Polito, Trexler
Assistant Professors (Adjunct): Brown

Undergraduate Study

For undergraduate curricula in agricultural education, agricultural extension education, agricultural studies, and professional agriculture (off campus) leading to the degree bachelor of science, see College of Agriculture, Curricula.

The department offers four curricula for students desiring to enter careers in agriculture and related fields. These curricula are agricultural education, agricultural extension, agricultural studies, and professional agriculture (off campus). The agricultural education curriculum prepares persons for careers as agricultural education instructors and educational specialists for industry and governmental agencies. The agricultural education curriculum has two options, teacher certification and communications. The agricultural extension education curriculum prepares persons for careers in extension. The agricultural studies curriculum prepares persons for careers in production agriculture and agricultural industry. The professional agriculture curriculum is an off-campus program that prepares persons for careers in production agricultural industry. Graduates of each curriculum accept positions in agricultural business, industry, agencies, and production agriculture.

Graduates are able to communicate effectively. They have a broad base of agricultural knowledge. They have the ability to live and work in a global society and have an understanding of today’s technical society. They are skilled in making decisions and have the ability to plan, organize, present, and evaluate information.

The department offers a minor in agricultural education which may be earned by completion of a minimum of 15 credits in agricultural education and studies courses, with a minimum of two courses at the 400 level. Courses that can be taken for a minor are 211, 310, 311, 315, 411, 412 or 418, 414, 450, 490, 496, and 499.

Visit our departmental website at

www.ag.iastate.edu/departments/aged/

Graduate Study

The department offers work for the degrees master of science and doctor of philosophy with a major in agricultural education, a specialization in agricultural extension education, opportunities for emphasis in international agricultural education, and minor work to students majoring in other curricula. Graduate students who have earned a bachelor’s degree in an agricultural discipline may plan a course of study that leads to teacher certification. Candidates pursuing the master of science degree may do so by completing either a thesis or nonthesis program of study.

Graduates have abilities in delivery systems, learning theories and principles, formative and summative evaluation, philosophic models, qualitative and quantitative research, organizational leadership, policy development, assessing educational need, organizing educational programs, and developing international agricultural education programs.

The department administers the interdepartmental graduate program in professional agriculture designed for off-campus students pursuing a master of agriculture degree; see Off-Campus Credit Courses and Programs.

The department also cooperates in the international development studies option of the General Graduate Studies Program.

Courses and workshops are offered, both on and off campus, for extension educators, agricultural education educators, teachers, and industry personnel.

Courses open to students for nonmajor graduate credit: 412, 414, 416, 417, 418, 450, 496.

Courses Primarily for Undergraduate Students

AgEds 110. Orientation
(1-0) Cr. 0.5. F. Orientation to the department. Careers in agriculture.

                A. Agricultural Education

                B. Agricultural Studies

                C. General Agriculture

AgEds 111. Orientation for Agricultural Excellence Scholars
(1-0) Cr. 1 each time taken, maximum of 2 credits. F. Prereq: Enrollment as an agricultural excellence scholar. The roles of professionals in agriculture, academic preparation for assuming the role of a professional in agriculture, and meeting the demands of the scholar’s curriculum.

AgEds 112. Agriculture Biotechnology Colloquium
(1-0) Cr. 1. S. Prereq: Enrollment as an agricultural excellence scholar. The scientific basis of biological and social sciences in agriculture.

AgEds 211. Early Field Based Experience
(1-0) Cr. 1 each time taken, maximum of 3 credits. F.S.SS. Prereq: 110. Five days on-site in an agricultural setting observing competencies and issues in problem solving, decision-making, initiative taking, teamwork, leadership, written and oral communications, critical thinking and creativity. When students register it is their responsibility to make an appointment with the departmental coordinator (very early in the semester) to plan their experience.

A. High School Agriculture Program

B. Extension

C. Agricultural Industries and Agencies

AgEds 215. Career Seminar
(1-0) Cr. 1. F.S. Prereq: Sophomore classification. Overview of career opportunities. Evaluation interests and accomplishments and setting career goals. Development of job search and interviewing skills. Establishing networks of job contacts.

AgEds 282. Educating Youth Through Horticulture (Same as Hort 282.)
(2-3) Cr. 3. S. Planning, developing, and implementing science-based educational programs in a public garden setting. Through hands-on experiences at Reiman Gardens, students will learn about horticulture, learning theory, and the application of science principles as they pertain to educating youth.

AgEds 290. Special Problems in Agricultural Education and Studies
Cr. 1-3 each time taken, maximum of 6. F.S.SS.

AgEds 310. Foundations of Agricultural Education Programs
(2-0) Cr. 2. F.S. Historical development of agricultural education programs. Philosophic premises, program goals and objectives. Educational and social issues impacting the implementation of agricultural education programs.

AgEds 311. Presentation and Sales Strategies for Agricultural Audiences
(3-0) Cr. 3. F.S. Utilizing instructional methods, techniques, and problem solving, presentation and sales strategies with agricultural audiences.

AgEds 315. Personal and Professional Leadership in Agriculture
(3-0) Cr. 3. F.S. Develop leadership skills and learn leadership theories for personal and professional applications in agricultural education, industry, and communities.

AgEds 401. Planning Agricultural Education Programs (Dual-listed with 501.)
(3-0) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: 310. Responsibility of an agricultural education teacher, curriculum development, experiential learning opportunities including FFA and SAE, and assessment and maintenance of program quality.

AgEds 402. Methods of Teaching in Agricultural Sciences/Agribusiness (Dual-listed with 502.)
(3-0) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: 401. Topics include: principles of teaching and learning, individualized and group methods, application of learning, instructional management, special populations, and evaluation.

AgEds 412. Internship in Agricultural Education and Studies
2 to 12 weeks. Cr. 2 to 6 each time taken, maximum of 6. F.S.SS. Prereq: 211, junior classification in AGEDS and permission of instructor. A supervised learning experience in an approved learning setting with application to educational, agricultural and/or environmental practices and principles. Nonmajor graduate credit.

AgEds 414. Developing Agricultural Education Programs in Non-Formal Settings
(2-0) Cr. 2. S. Prereq: 211 and permission of instructor. Basic concepts in planning, conducting, and evaluating educational programs in non-formal settings. Includes programming for youth and adults in Extension, agricultural industry, and related agencies. Nonmajor graduate credit.

AgEds 416. Pre-Student Teaching Experience in Agricultural Education
Cr. 1. F.S. Prereq: 211, 402 and admission to teacher education program. A one-week field-based experience in an approved secondary agricultural education program. Concurrent enrollment in 417 is required. Nonmajor graduate credit.

AgEds 417. Supervised Teaching in Agricultural Education Programs
Cr. 12. F.S. Prereq: 211, 402 and admission to teacher education program. Supervised teaching in public schools. Nonmajor graduate credit.

AgEds 418. Supervised Extension Experience
Cr. 2 to 8. May be repeated to a maximum of 16 credits. F.S.SS. Prereq: 211, junior classification, permission of instructor. Supervised professional experience in an approved county, area or state Cooperative Extension Service office. Nonmajor graduate credit.

AgEds 450. Farm Management and Operation
(1-6) Cr. 3. F.S.SS. Prereq: Econ 135, Econ 330, junior classification. Participation in the management and operation of a diversified Iowa farm. The class is responsible for the plans, records, and decisions for buying and selling the farm’s livestock, crops, and equipment. Special speakers on current topics. May be taken for credit 3 times at different times of the year by permission of the instructor. Nonmajor graduate credit.

AgEds 490. Independent Study in Agricultural Education and Studies
Cr. 1 to 3. F.S.SS. Prereq: Junior or senior classification, permission of instructor. A maximum of 6 credits of 490 may be used toward the total of 128 credits required for graduation.

                A. Philosophy, Curriculum, and Methods

                B. Leadership, Evaluation, and Administration

                C. Business, Industry, and Production Agriculture

                D. Extension and International Agriculture

                E. Instructional Technology

                F. Environmental Issues

                H. Honors

                I. Communications

AgEds 496. Agricultural Travel Course
Cr. 1 to 3. F.S.SS. Prereq: Permission of instructor. Study and tour of agricultural industries, climate, crops, culture, economics, geography, history, livestock, marketing, and soils of host country. Nonmajor graduate credit.

AgEds 499. Undergraduate Research
Cr. arr. F.S.SS. Prereq: Permission of instructor, adviser, and departmental executive officer. Research experience in agricultural education and studies with application to selected problems.

Courses Primarily for Graduate Students, open to qualified undergraduate students

AgEds 500. Short Course in Agricultural Education
Cr. 1 to 3 each time taken. F.S.SS. Prereq: Permission of instructor. Specific problems, issues, and content areas in agricultural education. On and off campus on arranged basis.

AgEds 501. Planning Agricultural Education Programs (Dual-listed with 401.)
(3-0) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: 310. Responsibility of an agricultural education teacher, curriculum development, experiential learning opportunities including FFA and SAE, and assessment and maintenance of program quality.

AgEds 502. Methods of Teaching in Agricultural Sciences/Agribusiness (Dual-listed with 402.)
(3-0) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: 401. Topics include principles of teaching and learning, individualized and group methods, application of learning, instructional management, special populations, and evaluation.

AgEds 510. Introduction to Research in Agricultural Education
(3-0) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: Permission of instructor. Determining your research focus; developing research problems and objectives; reviewing the literature and establishing a theoretical framework; establishing procedures for data collection and analysis; ethical issues. The primary outcome is the development of a thesis, dissertation or creative component proposal.

AgEds 511. Instructional and Organizational Issues for Beginning Teachers of Agriculture Programs
Cr. 1 to 2. F. Prereq: Permission of instructor. Planning and conducting agricultural programs in secondary schools.

AgEds 514. Organizing Agricultural Information for Professional and Scientific Meetings
(1-2) Cr. 2. S. Prereq: Graduate classification in agriculture. Concepts and practices in planning, preparing, and presenting materials used in professional meetings and scientific papers by agriculturalists with special emphasis on computerized delivery methods.

AgEds 520. Instructional Methods for Teaching in Agricultural Education
(3-0) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: Permission of instructor. Preparation of graduate students to become college or university instructors. Addresses the principles of teaching and learning as they influence teaching activities; psychological aspects of learning, developing teaching plans; laboratory teaching; evaluating student learning; motivating students; examining personal teaching behaviors that influence learning, and choosing appropriate teaching methods.

AgEds 521. Leadership Development in Agricultural Education
(3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. F., offered 2002. Prereq: Permission of instructor. Principles and practices of leadership and group dynamics. Designing, organizing, implementing,and evaluating leadership programs for developing exemplary leaders of agricultural teams and groups.

AgEds 524. Program Development and Evaluation in Agricultural Extension Education
(3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. S., offered 2002. Prereq: Permission of instructor. Theories and practice of program planning for extension, agricultural education, and other contexts for nonformal education. Considers critical theories of planning to address power and interests in program development, needs assessment, and evaluation.

AgEds 530. Distance Teaching and Learning in Agriculture
(3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. F., offered 2001. Prereq: Permission of instructor. Understanding distance learners in agriculture and their educational needs and preferences. Technology options to enhance distance teaching. Methods of teaching at a distance and administrative issues.

AgEds 538. Adult and Post-Secondary Education in Agriculture
(3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. S., offered 2003. Prereq: Permission of instructor. Theory and practice of adult learning and the delivery of formal and non-formal programming for agriculturally related audiences. Why and how adults learn differently than children. Leading instruction from the point of learners first. Reviews thinking, whole brain concepts, domains, styles, and levels of learning.

AgEds 560. Role of Agricultural Education and Agricultural Extension in Technology Transfer
(3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. S., offered 2003. Prereq: Permission of instructor. Processes by which formal and informal Extension and other agricultural education programs influence introduction and acceptance of agricultural technology, including strategies for technology transfer.

AgEds 561. Agricultural and Extension Education in Developing Countries
(3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. S., offered 2002. Prereq: Permission of instructor. Utilizing systematic approaches to identifying, analyzing, and solving problems in international agricultural education, with emphasis on the impact of agricultural education, formal and nonformal, on development.

AgEds 590. Special Topics in Agricultural Education
Cr. 1 to 3. F.S.SS. Prereq: 12 credits in agricultural education.

                A. Curriculum

                B. Methods

                C. Philosophy

                D. Evaluation

                E. Administration

                F. Leadership

                G. Guidance

                 I. Instructional Technology

                J. Extension

                K. International Agriculture

                L. Program Planning

AgEds 593. Workshop in Agricultural Education
Cr. 1 to 3 each time taken. F.S.SS. Prereq: 12 credits in agricultural education.

                A. Curriculum

                B. Methods

                C. Evaluation

                D. Administration

                E. Leadership

                F. Extension

                G. Program Planning

                H. Instructional Technology

                M. Biotechnology Workshop

AgEds 599. Creative Component
F.S.SS. For nonthesis M.S. degree programs.

Courses for Graduate Students

AgEds 604. Evaluation in Agricultural and Extension Education
(3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. F., offered 2002. Prereq: 401 or 524 and permission of instructor. Criteria and procedures for designing and facilitating evaluations of programs in agricultural and extension education. Critique of evaluation theories. Match quantitative and qualitative methods and instruments to evaluation contexts. Evaluation reporting and utilization.

AgEds 610. Curriculum Development in Agricultural Education
(3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. F., offered 2001. Prereq: 401 and permission of instructor. Analysis of social, individual, and subject matter needs in agriculture and their impact on agricultural curricula. Application of new concepts and educational theory to curriculum planning in agricultural education.

AgEds 615. Seminar in Agricultural Education
(1-0) Cr. 1 each time taken. F.S.SS. Offered on a satisfactory-fail grading basis only.

AgEds 617. Professional Internship for Agricultural Educators
Cr. 1-6 each time taken, maximum of 6. F.S.SS. Prereq: Permission of instructor. Analysis of the roles and activities of professionals in agricultural education. Supervised professional field-based experience in public and private settings.

AgEds 620. Research Procedures in Agricultural Education
(3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. S., offered 2003. Prereq: 510 and a course in statistics. Procedures for carrying out thesis and dissertation research. Designing descriptive, associational and experimental research; instrumentation; analysis, interpretation, and reporting of research data; evaluating reports of research.

AgEds 625. Administration and Supervision of Agricultural Education Programs
(3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. S., offered 2003. Prereq: 521. Management principles and practices of planning, organizing, directing, staffing, and evaluating as applied to administration and supervision of programs in agricultural education.

AgEds 630. Philosophy and Policymaking in Agricultural Education
(3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. S., offered 2002. Prereq: Permission of instructor. Basic philosophic premises in development of agricultural education programs. The role of philosophy in policymaking. Social and educational issues impacting philosophy and policymaking in agricultural education.