Master's program 

Overview

The Department of Agricultural and Extension Education and Evaluation (AEEE) prepares and supports highly-qualified agricultural and extension professionals to teach, lead, and serve youth and adults. AEEE’s focus is on two of our greatest assets—the agricultural industry and our human capital. Students in this program learn about effective teaching methods and techniques as they prepare for careers in both formal and non-formal educational environments of the agricultural sector.

Concentrations are available in Agricultural Leadership and Development and Teaching in Formal Education. Students interested in the Agricultural Education major should contact the Department of Agricultural and Extension Education and Evaluation for deadlines and specific details about each concentration. Students who anticipate entering the Teaching in Formal Education concentration for teacher certification should inform the faculty advisor at the time the undergraduate program of study is being developed. Students interested in a teacher certification program other than agricultural education should contact the College of Human Sciences and Education.


Agricultural and Extension Education and Evaluation, M.S.

The Master of Science in Agricultural and Extension Education provides opportunities for career advancement for individuals in formal* and non-formal agricultural education, agribusiness, industry, government, non-profit agencies, or the Cooperative Extension Service.  This flexible program offers three modes of completion:

  1. 30 credit hour thesis option,
  2. a 36 credit hour non-thesis option or
  3. a 30 hour completion program which includes student teaching and teacher licensure.

The thesis option requires 30 approved graduate credit hours, including six credit hours of thesis researcher. The student, with guidance from the student’s graduate advisory committee, will conduct an original research project that is of state and/or national interest and present findings in the form of a written report.

The non-thesis option requires 36 approved graduate credit hours and may be completed either through the comprehensive examination or creative component pathways. The comprehensive examination route is designed to assess the student’s knowledge of completed coursework. Students will be required to write on demand to a series of questions submitted by the graduate advisory committee. An oral defense of the written examinations is also required.

The creative component option allows the student to work with his or her graduate advisory committee to develop and implement a project related to the students’ interests. Typically, these projects are of local or state significance. Examples may include curriculum projects or research projects that may lack the depth of a thesis.

This non-thesis licensure option requires 36 approved graduate credit hours and may be completed either through the comprehensive examination or creative component pathways. Of these 36 credit hours, 9 credit hours will include a student teaching experience under the direction of a licensed teacher. Specific course work is required to ensure that teaching licensure requirements are met.

Prior to admission to the program, students must have completed a bachelor’s degree in an approved agricultural content area (animal science, horticulture, agricultural business, renewable natural resources, agricultural education-leadership development concentration, etc) with a cumulative GPA of 2.50 or higher in undergraduate coursework and a 3.0 GPA or higher in any previously completed graduate coursework. This ensures adequate agricultural content knowledge and a preparation to teach agricultural education.

Transcripts will be evaluated to ensure at least 30 hours of content specific agricultural courses are included as part of the undergraduate coursework. Also, prior to admission, students must pass or be exempt from the Praxis I Core (5712, 5722, & 5732 or combination exam 5751) examinations as well as the Praxis II – Agriculture (5701) Content Examination.

Students who successfully complete the program will receive an Agriculture (Grades 6-12) Louisiana Teaching License. Information about how to transfer this license to other states would be available through the state Board of Education in which the license is being transferred to.

The Agricultural Education M.S. program meets the educational eligibility criteria for certification in Agriculture Education Grades K-12 in the State of Louisiana. Graduates of this Louisiana state-approved teacher preparation program will qualify for a Level 1 Professional Certificate.

Graduates of the program who wish to teach in another U.S. state or country may require additional eligibility criteria to qualify for licensure and/or certification in those locations. We are unable to confirm the licensure and/or certification requirements of other states or countries. Therefore, if you intend to pursue such credentialing in another state or elsewhere, it is advised that you contact the applicable state or country credentialing authority to familiarize yourself with its specific requirements and determine if this program meets the applicable eligibility criteria.

If you have additional questions in this regard, please contact aeee@lsu.edu to assist you in your career planning.

 

m.s. course plan

 


Graduate Assistantships

A limited number of graduate assistantships are available at both the M.S and Ph.D. levels. Students who are on assistantship will work within the department for a minimum of 20 hours a week and may have responsibilities teaching course work, serving as a teaching assistant, serving as research assistants, or assisting with departmental programs. Assistantships are competitive and will often require interviews for specific positions. For more information about assistantship availability, please contact Dr. Richie Roberts, Associate Professor and Graduate Coordinator, at roberts3@lsu.edu

Graduate Catalog

LSU Graduate School

LSU College of Agriculture

Richie Roberts, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Graduate Advisor
roberts3@lsu.edu
131 J.C. Miller Hall
Baton Rouge, LA 70803
225-578-8549

Michael Burnett, Ph.D.
Department Head
MBurnett@agcenter.lsu.edu
139 J. C. Miller Hall
Baton Rouge, LA 70803
225-578-6194