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The
M.S. Degree in Agricultural Education prepares graduates for careers
as Agricultural Extension Agents, Agriculture Teachers, Conservationists,
Farm Managers, Researchers, and many other positions in industries
and government agencies where agricultural training along with communications
and leadership skills are required. The agricultural education faculty
offers this program for persons desiring advanced study in teaching
agriculture in public schools, communications and leadership, or
extension education. Candidates for the Master of Science degree
may be admitted on a regular or provisional basis.
Programs
are designed to ensure that all candidates develop competence in
communications and leadership, design, operation and philosophy
of agricultural education programs, and research and evaluation
processes. Students pursuing programs that emphasize agricultural
and extension education will be expected to develop an understanding
of teaching/learning processes. All graduate courses offered toward
the degree must be approved by the student's advisor. A thesis is
required as part of the 30 credit hour graduation requirement. Master
candidates may take courses such as principles of cooperative Extension,
program development in Extension education, Extension program evaluation,
research methods, data analysis, adult education in agriculture
and natural resources, agricultural mechanics, and planning agricultural
experience programs, among others.
Division
of Resource Management
The Division of Resource Management is housed on the first and second
floors of the Agricultural Sciences Building and in the Agricultural
Sciences Annex on the WVU Evansdale Campus. Faculty members have
earned national recognition for outstanding teaching, research,
and service in past years. The division offers undergraduate majors
in Agribusiness Management and Rural Development, Agricultural and
Environmental Education, Environmental and Natural Resource Economics,
and Landscape Architecture. Master's degrees are offered in Agricultural
Education and Agricultural Resource Economics. The division also
offers a Ph.D. in Natural Resource Economics.
Admission
Admission requirements are those of West Virginia University. Students
who do not have a B.S. in agriculture with a major in Agricultural
and Environmental Education may be required to complete undergraduate
courses in agriculture and professional education if they plan to
obtain certification to teach.
Career
Opportunities
Graduates have entered positions in teaching, extension work, the
West Virginia Department of Agriculture, various departments in
the USDA, state and municipal environmental management agencies,
and management positions. Others have entered agripreneurships in
production agriculture, landscaping, etc. Students are also well
prepared to enter Doctoral programs in various fields. Teaching
and extension salaries range from $30,000 to $40,000, as do salaries
for those entering work in environmental agencies. Government service
salaries begin at about $25,000, but advance rapidly
Extracurricular/Professional
Opportunities
The Division of Resource Management offers unlimited opportunities
for students interested in service and professional development.
Agricultural Education faculty sponsors the Mountaineer Collegiate
FFA Chapter and the Alpha Tau Alpha Chapter, the National Honorary
for Agriculture Education. Service learning, internships, and experimental
learning are available through cooperative agreements with various
agencies. Also, a limited number of assistantships are available
each year.
Accreditation
West
Virginia University is fully accredited by the North Central Association
of Colleges and Schools. The Agricultural Education program is accredited
by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education.
For
more information contact:
Dr. Harry N. Boone, Jr.
(304) 293-4832 ext. 4481
hnboone@wvu.edu
Or visit the web site at
www.caf.wvu.edu/resm/aee
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