The agricultural leadership, education and communications program is designed for students wanting to learn more about leadership skills and styles, educational methods for youth and adults, methods of communication and styles, and community outreach programs used in agricultural and related fields. The program offers four distinct focus areas: Leadership, Agricultural Education, Extension, and Communications.

Campus Code and Options Available

• Knoxville Campus — Thesis Option, Project Option, Coursework Only with Comprehensive Exam Option
  • Agricultural Education Focus Area
  • General in Leadership, Extension or Communications Focus Area
• Distance Education — Coursework Only with Comprehensive Exam Option
  • No concentration option available

Admissions Standards/Procedures

• Personal and Professional Goal Statement Letter.
• Candidates for the master’s degree must meet the general requirements of the Graduate Council and those stipulated by the department.

Distance Education (DE) MS, Coursework Only with Comprehensive Exam

Students will complete online graduate coursework in leadership, teaching and learning, extension program planning, and communications.

Credit Hours Required

30 graduate credit hours

Required Courses

• A minimum of 18 credit hours of graduate credit in courses in ALEC
• A minimum of 12 credit hours of graduate electives chosen in consultation with the academic advisor and guidance committee

Non-Course Requirements

• A final written examination

Thesis or Coursework Only with Comprehensive Exam, Agricultural Education Focus Area

Students will complete graduate coursework for teacher licensure in agricultural education

Credit Hours Required

30 graduate credit hours

Required Courses

• Required courses for agricultural education teacher licensure (15 credit hours)
  • EDPY 501  
  • SPED 503  
  • ETEC 586  
  • ALEC 534  
  • ALEC 545  
• Courses recommended by academic advisor (15 credit hours)
  • Thesis Option: ALEC 500  (6 credit hours)

Non-Course Requirements

• Thesis Option: Preparation and defense of a thesis,
  • An understanding of research ethics is also required. This departmentally-enforced requirement may be achieved through coursework (e.g., PLSC 525 /ANSC 525 /CEM 525 ; BCMB 614 ; PSYC 660 ) or via online (CITI RCR) training, as evidenced by presenting a valid CITI RCR certificate to the Graduate Director upon submission of the Application to Candidacy form. For research involving human subjects, CITI IRB certification may also be required.
• Coursework Only with Comprehensive Exam: Successfully pass a department prepared final written examination, or the EdTPA

Thesis or Coursework Only with Comprehensive Exam, General in Leadership, Extension, or Communications Focus Area

Students will complete graduate coursework in leadership, teaching and learning, extension program planning, and communications

Credit Hours Required

30 graduate credit hours

Required Courses

• ALEC courses (18 credit hours)
  • Thesis Option: ALEC 500  (6 credit hours)
• Electives (12 credit hours)

Non-Course Requirements

• Thesis Option: Preparation and defense of a thesis,
• Coursework Only with Comprehensive Exam: Successfully pass a department prepared final written examination

Additional Information

• An understanding of research ethics is also required. This departmentally-enforced requirement may be achieved through coursework (e.g., PLSC 525 /ANSC 525 /CEM 525 ; BCMB 614 ; PSYC 660 ) or via online (CITI RCR) training, as evidenced by presenting a valid CITI RCR certificate to the Graduate Director upon submission of the Application to Candidacy form. For research involving human subjects, CITI IRB certification may also be required.