Program of Study - Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication (ALEC)

Core Courses : Thesis option 12 credit hours (crs) or non-thesis option 11 credit hours (crs)
AGSC 5060 – Statistics for Research OR 3 crs AGSC 5150 - Statistical Research Methods in Agricultural Education (online)
AGSC 5110 – Research Methods OR 3 crs AGSC 5065 – Qualitative Research Methods (online)
AGSC 5120 – Thesis Writing 4 crs OR AGSC 5350 – Independent Study of Contemporary Issues & Problems (For non-thesis option) 3 crs
AGSC 5610, 5620 – Graduate Seminar in Agricultural Sciences I, II 1,1 cr

Concentration Courses: 12 credit hours (crs) minimum with thesis or 15 credit hours (crs) minimum for non-thesis option
AGSC 5010 – Foundations of Agricultural Education 3 crs
AGSC 5020* – Teaching & Learning Methods in Ag & Extension 3 crs
AGSC 5030* – Curriculum Development & Program Leadership in Ag & Extension 3 crs
AGSC 5040* – Program Planning/Development & Evaluation in Ag & Extension 3 crs
AGSC 5050** – Methods of Teaching Ag & Env STEM 3 crs

Electives : 6 credit hours (crs) maximum with thesis or 9 credit hours (crs) maximum non-thesis
AGSC 5080 – Agribusiness Management & Market Analysis 3 crs
AGSC 5090 – Food and Fiber Industry 3 crs
AGSC 5100 – Environmental, Resource Economics & Management 3 crs
AGSC 5140 – Contemporary Issues in Animal Science 3 crs
AGSC 5150 – Livestock Production and Management 3 crs
AGSC 5350 – Independent Study of Contemporary Issues & Problems (For thesis option) 3 crs
TELC 5001* – Adolescent Development 3 crs
TELC 5004* – Survey of Exceptional Children 3 crs
TELC 5005* – Teaching and Learning with Technology 3 crs
TELC 5006 – Teachers as Agents of Change 3 crs
Guided Elective 3 crs *Courses required for those seeking Teaching License; **Course required for endorsement to teach Agriscience

Teaching License in Agricultural Education
The Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences partners with the College of Education and the State of Tennessee to help individuals earn an initial teaching license to work as an Agricultural Educator in Tennessee schools. The Practitioner Teacher License with Academic Endorsements in Agricultural Education 6-12 (Code 150) and Agriscience 6-12 (Code 151) is only available to individuals with the following credentials:

Applicant must have a registered TNCompass account, available at https://tdoe.tncompass.org/Account/Login?ReturnUrl=%2f
Applicant must hold a bachelor’s degree in an area of Agriculture
Applicant must be enrolled in the Graduate Program of Study for the Master of Science in Agricultural Business and Leadership with a concentration in Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication (ALEC)
Applicant must have verified content knowledge for Agricultural Education and Agriscience, as defined by the State of Tennessee Board Policy

The following online courses are required for Practitioner Teacher License with Academic Endorsements in Agricultural Education 6-12 (Code 150):

AGSC5020 – Teaching and Learning Methods in Ag & Extension 3 crs
AGSC5030 – Curriculum Development and Program Leadership in Ag & Extension 3 crs
AGSC5040 – Program Planning/Dev & Evaluation in Ag & Extension 3 crs
TELC5001 – Adolescent Development 3 crs
TELC5004 – Survey of the Exceptional Child 3 crs
TELC5005 – Teaching and Learning with Technology 3 crs

If an applicant also wishes to possess an Endorsement in Agriscience 6-12 (Code 151), he/she must also complete the course, AGSC 5050 (3 crs) which is taught in conjunction with Curriculum for Agricultural Science Education (CASE) Institutes at Tennessee State University or as advised by the Agricultural Education Focus Group Leader.

Applicants must pass the Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT): Grades 7–12 (5624) PRAXIS Exam and the Agriculture (5701) PRAXIS Exam.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to Contact Dr. John Ricketts if you are interested in enrolling in this program and for assistance in navigating for admission requirements or concentration requirements.