Agricultural and Extension Education Program
The Agricultural and Extension Education Program prepares students for agricultural teaching, extension, production and technical agriculture positions, or other professional employment in government, industry, or entrepreneurship where competence in communications and leadership are required. Each student has the opportunity to choose one of two areas of emphasis – agriculture teacher education or extension, leadership, and communications.
Program Admission and Curriculum
Students who meet University admission requirements may be accepted directly into the Davis College as Agricultural and Extension Education majors. To earn a bachelor’s degree, all students must complete 128 credit hours including the General Education Curriculum required by the University.
All Agricultural and Extension Education students are required to take courses in agronomy, agricultural economics, animal and nutritional sciences and plant and soil sciences. In addition to those courses students emphasizing extension, leadership, and communication must also take courses in adult agricultural and natural resources education, extension education methods, journalism, psychology and professional experience.
The agricultural teacher education emphasis requires additional courses in psychology, education, reading, special education, curriculum development, adult agricultural and natural resources education and methods of teaching agriculture. Those students who intend to teach must complete teacher preparation courses including student teaching. After successful completion of the teacher preparation program, students are eligible for certification by the West Virginia Department of Education.
Complete course listings and descriptions can be found in the current WVU Undergraduate Catalog.
Employment Opportunities
Graduates have found jobs in the fields of extension and teaching, as well as The West Virginia Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Farm Credit, Farm Service Agency, and state and municipal environmental management agencies. Others enter the private sector or become entrepreneurs in farming, agribusiness and landscaping. Salaries for teaching, extension service and environmental agencies positions range from $32,000 to $45,000.
Accreditation:
The Agricultural and Extension Education major is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education.
