Agricultural Education and Leadership, MS

Curriculum

The agricultural education and leadership Master of Science in the OSU Department of Agricultural Education, Communications and Leadership is designed primarily for students interested in research. The program develops the students' theoretical and research foundation for further graduate studies in addition to further knowledge and skills in agriculture and education. In addition to the wide variety of professional courses in agricultural education and leadership, offerings are also available from all academic departments in the Ferguson College of Agriculture. Specialization areas such as educational administration, supervision, counseling, community education, occupational education, adult education, and career education are also available through cooperation with the College of Education and Human Sciences.

Two options are available in the master of science degree program.

Thesis Option
This program requires 30 approved credit hours of coursework including a six-credit-hour formal thesis. The thesis is a report of scholarly research conducted by the student. The scope of the study will usually be of state or national interest, and the thesis will include an in-depth analysis of the findings.

Formal Report Option
The program requires 32 approved credit hours of coursework including a two-credit-hour formal report. Although the formal report is the result of original research, the literature review or statistical analysis may lack the depth required of a thesis.

Research and Faculty

Faculty and staff in the department work closely with students inside and outside of the classroom to create a family atmosphere to help them feel this is a place they can call home. Academic advisors (like all advisors in the Ferguson College of Agriculture) are faculty members who advise, teach courses and are involved professionally in the area a student is studying. Faculty advisors assist in planning an individual program of study that considers a student's background, interests and future plans. The faculty and staff have an “open-door policy,” inviting students to stop by their offices if they need assistance with academic or personal challenges.

Meet our Departmental Faculty

Admissions

Admission requirements for the Master of Science in agricultural education and leadership degree program include:

• A bachelor's degree in an appropriate field such as agricultural education, agricultural communications, or an agriculturally related area from an accredited university;
• An acceptable grade point average in undergraduate studies (a minimum GPA of 2.80 or 3.0 in the last 30 hours for unqualified admission);
• Recommendations from two people knowledgeable of the applicant's professional qualifications. Recommendation letters cannot come from a current faculty member of the OSU Department of Agricultural Education, Communications and Leadership.
• A statement of purpose for pursuing the master's degree.
• No minimum score required on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).  The GRE is not required for applicants with a GPA of 3.25 or above in their undergraduate degree program (school code 6546, department code 3908).

To apply for the Master of Science in agricultural education and leadership degree program, submit an application for admission to the OSU Graduate College. Your application will be referred to the department by the Graduate College.  After it is reviewed by the Agricultural Education work group, you will receive notification of its decision from the Graduate College. Applications for admission are reviewed continuously.

Cost and Assistance

Many students help finance graduate education through part-time, paid employment as a graduate assistant. As a graduate assistant, you can expand and apply your knowledge and skills under the supervision of faculty or staff. After admission by the Graduate College, a student who is making satisfactory progress toward a graduate degree may be appointed to an assistantship.

In addition to graduate teaching and research assistantships in the OSU Department of Agricultural Education, Communications and Leadership, the program annually places students in assistantships with departments and units across campus.

Cost and Aid
Assistantships and Funding Opportunities