Why Study Agricultural Education Through IDEA?
The online agricultural education master’s degree provides you the opportunity to advance your career and education on your own terms. The program offers many elective options that complement the core coursework, allowing you to tailor your degree experience to your strengths and career aspirations.
Your degree will be awarded from your home university while your courses will be taught by faculty in agricultural education from across reputable institutions nationwide. This increases your access to the leading theories in agricultural pedagogy, providing a unique and unparalleled online academic experience.
Structured to fit seamlessly and conveniently into the schedule of working professionals, this online master’s degree aims to enable students to balance career advancement with professional, social, and financial commitments.
Furthermore, IDEA cares deeply about providing an affordable high-quality online education, offering a common price per credit hour through all member universities.
"The IDEA program has allowed me the flexibility to continue my education while also being a full-time extension agent and mother to twin boys. The program has given me the opportunity to interact with students and teaching professionals from various universities that I may have never met. This program has allowed me to focus not only on my education but also on my profession and family and for that, I will be forever grateful."
Shannon Spencer, agricultural education master's graduate, and recipient of the 2023 Student Excellence Award
Core Content Areas of the Master's Degree Curriculum
The online master's degree in agricultural education can be completed in as little as 24 months and covers 30-36 credit hours depending on your home university's program completion requirements. Degree and certificate titles vary by member university.
The agricultural education master’s degree curriculum is rooted in the following four core conceptual areas that build a strong foundation for success in the ag education field. Each of the core content areas are offered on a regular basis, ensuring you can build a course sequence tailored to your needs and interests.
Elective courses are offered by the participating universities to round out the degree curriculum, allowing you to select from a list of courses and specialize in an area that aligns with your career goals. You can work directly with your home university’s academic advisor and faculty to develop a best-fit plan of study.
The Foundations of Agricultural and Education course provides an overview of the development of agricultural and extension education in the United States by examining the significant educational philosophies, historical events, scientific innovations, legislation, and policy-shaping agricultural and extension education today.
Research Methods focus on the principles, practices, and strategies for conducting research in the social sciences, particularly dealing with the interface of the human dimension in the agricultural and natural sciences.
Principles of Teaching and Learning cover the concepts, methods, strategies, and learning theories relevant to both formal and non-formal education settings. The relationship between teaching methods and the learning experience in food, agricultural, and natural resources contexts will also be addressed.
Program Planning and Evaluation aids students in developing and evaluating educational programs for agricultural, community, and extension audiences in formal and non-formal settings. Emphasis is placed on the principles, theories, and skills of the program development and evaluation process. This includes planning, designing, implementing, measuring, and communicating program impact.
See a complete list of courses
Program Outcomes in Agricultural Education
Through this program, you will learn the importance of theory and research and the ways that they can help you in your current role or in advancing your career in secondary and higher education, community development, and training in professional organizations.
There are a range of professional opportunities available to agricultural education graduates, including many beyond traditional classroom teaching. Graduates of this program have gone on to fulfilling roles such as:
- Classroom teacher
- Extension educator
- Communications professional
- Public relations specialist
- Curriculum developer
- Environmental educator
- Trade association coordinator
- Congressional staffer
- Educational specialist
- International agricultural development specialist
- Program manager
- Producer
- Sales associate
- Outreach coordinator
- Professional development specialist
"Studying through IDEA has allowed me to network with faculty across the nation to gain the best distance education possible. By offering an array of courses, students are connected with a variety of qualified faculty that strive to provide the best online learning environment and create relationships with their students. By taking courses through IDEA, I have had the opportunity to share my research ideas and receive feedback from numerous academics to better my work. I am being taught by professors who truly care and strive for success with all of their students."
Regan Culp, ag ed master's graduate, and recipient of the 2022 Student Excellence Award
Program Information at Participating Universities
In the agricultural education program, eight universities work together to bring a unique academic experience, allowing you to get the best from our member universities.
The following member universities offer the online master’s degree in agricultural education and hold regional accreditation:
All IDEA member universities are accredited by regional agencies, aligning with requirements set by the U.S. Department of Education. This ensures that IDEA students receive the highest standard of academic excellence. Learn more about the accreditation of our member universities.
Influence the Future of Agriculture through an Ag Education Master's Degree
IDEA’s online agricultural education master’s degree prepares you for a rewarding career educating others about the importance of agriculture in our current and future society. You will learn to be an effective communicator, creative and critical thinker, and leader in the field.
Advance your career in agricultural education by applying now!
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What You Will Learn
How You Will Learn
