Agricultural and Extension Education, B.S.

Program Code: AEE_BS

Program Description

This major helps prepare students for positions in education in agriculture, including schools and colleges, Cooperative Extension, business, trade and professional associations, and government agencies. The Department administers a program approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education for the preparation of agriculture teachers in public school systems. This includes programs in agricultural production, mechanics, supplies, resources, products, forestry, horticulture, and other agricultural areas.

Students take courses in agricultural and natural resource sciences, leadership and communications, natural science, social science and general education. Students seeking teacher certification schedule professional courses in education and psychology.

What is Agricultural and Extension Education?

School-based Agriculture Education employed through the Three-Circle Model of FFA, supervised agricultural experience and classroom instruction educates nearly 1 million secondary students nationally, teaching future agriculturalists on the topics of food, fiber, and natural resources. AEE graduates are prepared to enter the workforce as middle and high school agricultural educators, with the pedagogical and technical content knowledge to equip students to be college and career ready.

You Might Like this Program If...

  • You enjoy working with youth, community stakeholders, and fellow educators
  • You desire to be an advocate for the agriculture industry
  • You have a passion for equipping students with the problem-solving skills necessary to address grand global challenges
  • You want to teach practical and applied STEM concepts in the classroom

Entrance to Major

Pennsylvania Teacher certification regulations require students to have a GPA of 3.0. The Educator Preparation Program at Penn State includes documentation of at least 80 hours of volunteer or paid education work experience with learners of the age group the candidate plans to teach. At least 40 of these age-appropriate 80 hours must be with learners whose cultural, social, or ethnic backgrounds differ from the candidate's own; completion of an early field experience specified by the certification program; completion of at least 48 semester credit hours, including ENGL 15 or ENGL 30H, 3 credits of literature, and 6 credits of quantification and secure occupational experience in the requested area of certification. (See also: Teacher Education Programs)

Degree Requirements

For students seeking teacher certification, the Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural and Extension Education, a minimum of 125 credits is required:

Requirement Credits
General Education 45
Electives 0-1
Requirements for the Major 107-113

28 of the 45 credits for General Education are included in the Requirements for the Major. This includes: 6 credits of GS courses; 9 credits of GN courses; 4 credits of GQ courses; 9 credits of GWS courses.

Requirements for the Major

To graduate, a student enrolled in the major must earn a grade of C or better in each course designated by the major as a C-required course, as specified by Senate Policy 82-44.

Common Requirements for the Major (All Options)

Prescribed Courses
AEE 100Agricultural Education Orientation3
AEE 311Developing Youth Leadership through Organization and Program Structure3
AEE 349Shop Processes for Agricultural Educators3
AEE 350Teaching Methods for Agricultural and Environmental Laboratories3
AEE 495Internship12
AGBM 101Economic Principles of Agribusiness Decision Making Keystone/General Education Course3
BIOL 110Biology: Basic Concepts and Biodiversity Keystone/General Education Course4
INTAG 100NEveryone Eats: Hunger, Food Security & Global Agriculture Keystone/General Education Course3
WFED 413Vocational Education for Special-Needs Learners3
WFED 414Teaching Career and Technical Education Content to Diverse Learners3
WFED 450Cultural Diversity in the Workplace3
Prescribed Courses: Require a grade of C or better
AEE 295Observation of Teaching in Agriculture and Environmental Science3
AEE 313School-Based Program Planning and Instructional Development2
AEE 412Methods of Teaching Agriculture and Environmental Science4
AEE 413Program Planning and Instructional Development3-4
EDPSY 14Learning and Instruction Keystone/General Education Course3
EDTHP 115Education in American Society Keystone/General Education Course3
ENGL 202CEffective Writing: Technical Writing Keystone/General Education Course3
SOILS 101Introductory Soil Science Keystone/General Education Course3
STAT 200Elementary Statistics Keystone/General Education Course4
Additional Courses
Select 4 credits of the following:4
Biology: Populations and Communities
Biology: Molecules and Cells
Biology: Function and Development of Organisms
Additional Courses: Require a grade of C or better
Select 3 credits from the following:3
Effective Speech
Effective Speech Keystone/General Education Course
Effective Speech Keystone/General Education Course
Select 3 credits from the following:3
Introductory Chemistry Keystone/General Education Course
Chemical Principles I Keystone/General Education Course
Introduction to General, Organic, and Biochemistry Keystone/General Education Course
Select 3 credits from the following:3
Rhetoric and Composition Keystone/General Education Course
Honors Rhetoric and Composition Keystone/General Education Course
ESL Composition for American Academic Communication II Keystone/General Education Course
Requirements for the Option
Select an option23-28

Requirements for the Option

Environmental Science Option (28 Credits)
Prescribed Courses
AGRO 28Principles of Crop Management3
ANSC 201Animal Science4
Supporting Courses and Related Areas
Select 3 credits of W courses offered in the College3
Select 3 credits in biological, physical ecosystems3
Select 6 credits in environmental impact management6
Select 6 credits in environmental learning6
Select 3 credits in social, political, and legal aspects of environmental science3
Production Option (23 credits)
Supporting Courses and Related Areas
Select 3 credits of W courses offered in the College3
Select 8 credits in agriculture8
Select 6 credits in animal science6
Select 6 credits in plant/soil science6

General Education

Connecting career and curiosity, the General Education curriculum provides the opportunity for students to acquire transferable skills necessary to be successful in the future and to thrive while living in interconnected contexts. General Education aids students in developing intellectual curiosity, a strengthened ability to think, and a deeper sense of aesthetic appreciation. These are requirements for all baccalaureate students and are often partially incorporated into the requirements of a program. For additional information, see the General Education Requirements section of the Bulletin and consult your academic adviser.

The keystone symbol Keystone/General Education Course appears next to the title of any course that is designated as a General Education course. Program requirements may also satisfy General Education requirements and vary for each program.

Foundations (grade of C or better is required and Inter-Domain courses do not meet this requirement.)

  • Quantification (GQ): 6 credits
  • Writing and Speaking (GWS): 9 credits

Breadth in the Knowledge Domains (Inter-Domain courses do not meet this requirement.)

  • Arts (GA): 3 credits
  • Health and Wellness (GHW): 3 credits
  • Humanities (GH): 3 credits
  • Social and Behavioral Sciences (GS): 3 credits
  • Natural Sciences (GN): 3 credits

Integrative Studies

  • Inter-Domain Courses (Inter-Domain): 6 credits

Exploration

  • GN, may be completed with Inter-Domain courses: 3 credits
  • GA, GH, GN, GS, Inter-Domain courses. This may include 3 credits of World Language course work beyond the 12th credit level or the requirements for the student’s degree program, whichever is higher: 6 credits

University Degree Requirements

First Year Engagement

All students enrolled in a college or the Division of Undergraduate Studies at University Park, and the World Campus are required to take 1 to 3 credits of the First-Year Seminar, as specified by their college First-Year Engagement Plan.

Other Penn State colleges and campuses may require the First-Year Seminar; colleges and campuses that do not require a First-Year Seminar provide students with a first-year engagement experience.

First-year baccalaureate students entering Penn State should consult their academic adviser for these requirements.

Cultures Requirement

6 credits are required and may satisfy other requirements

  • United States Cultures: 3 credits
  • International Cultures: 3 credits

Writing Across the Curriculum

3 credits required from the college of graduation and likely prescribed as part of major requirements.

Total Minimum Credits

A minimum of 120 degree credits must be earned for a baccalaureate degree. The requirements for some programs may exceed 120 credits. Students should consult with their college or department adviser for information on specific credit requirements.

Quality of Work

Candidates must complete the degree requirements for their major and earn at least a 2.00 grade-point average for all courses completed within their degree program.

Limitations on Source and Time for Credit Acquisition

The college dean or campus chancellor and program faculty may require up to 24 credits of course work in the major to be taken at the location or in the college or program where the degree is earned. Credit used toward degree programs may need to be earned from a particular source or within time constraints (see Senate Policy 83-80). For more information, check the Suggested Academic Plan for your intended program.

Program Learning Objectives

  • Students will be able to analyze the needs of a particular educational situation, formulate a plan for program delivery, critically review and reflect on the program and implement changes.
  • Students will be able to engage stakeholders in the development of quality educational programming.
  • Students will be able to meet the criteria for teacher certification in Pennsylvania, as measured by the Pennsylvania Department of Education 430 form criteria (planning, instruction, classroom environment, professional development).
  • Students will show competence in content knowledge required by the state certification office by successfully passing the Agriculture PRAXIS examination.

Academic Advising

The objectives of the university's academic advising program are to help advisees identify and achieve their academic goals, to promote their intellectual discovery, and to encourage students to take advantage of both in-and out-of class educational opportunities in order that they become self-directed learners and decision makers.

Both advisers and advisees share responsibility for making the advising relationship succeed. By encouraging their advisees to become engaged in their education, to meet their educational goals, and to develop the habit of learning, advisers assume a significant educational role. The advisee's unit of enrollment will provide each advisee with a primary academic adviser, the information needed to plan the chosen program of study, and referrals to other specialized resources.

READ SENATE POLICY 32-00: ADVISING POLICY

University Park

John Ewing
Associate Professor
215 Ferguson Building
University Park, PA 16802
814-863-7463
jce122@psu.edu

SUGGESTED ACADEMIC PLAN

The suggested academic plan(s) listed on this page are the plan(s) that are in effect during the 2023-24 academic year. To access previous years' suggested academic plans, please visit the archive to view the appropriate Undergraduate Bulletin edition (Note: the archive only contains suggested academic plans beginning with the 2018-19 edition of the Undergraduate Bulletin).

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE OPTION: AGRICULTURAL AND EXTENSION EDUCATION, B.S. AT UNIVERSITY PARK CAMPUS

The course series listed below provides only one of the many possible ways to move through this curriculum. The University may make changes in policies, procedures, educational offerings, and requirements at any time. This plan should be used in conjunction with your degree audit (accessible in LionPATH as either an Academic Requirements or What If report). Please consult with a Penn State academic adviser on a regular basis to develop and refine an academic plan that is appropriate for you.

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
ENGL 15, 30H, or ESL 15‡#†3BIOL 220W, 230W, or 240W4
General Education Course (GQ - MATH 21 recommended)‡#†3CAS 100, CAS 100A, CAS 100B, or CAS 100C‡†3
BIOL 110#†4EDTHP 115*#3
AG 1502SOILS 1013
AEE 100#3General Education Course (GHW)1.5
General Education Course (Literature Selection)#3General Education Course3
 18 17.5
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
CHEM 130#3ENGL 202C‡†3
AGRO 283STAT 200‡#†4
AGBM 1013Environmental Learning Course13
EDPSY 14*#3Social, Legal, Political Aspects13
Environmental Learning Course13General Education Course (GHW)1.5
General Education Course3 
 18 14.5
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
WFED 4133ANSC 2014
AEE 3113INTAG 100N3
College Writing Across the Curriculum Course13WFED 4143
Environmental Impact Management13AEE 295*1
General Education Course 3AEE 3493
General Education Course3Environmental Impact Management13
 18 17
Fourth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
AEE 412*4AEE 313*2
AEE 413*3AEE 49510
AEE 295*1 
AEE 3503 
WFED 4503 
Biological/Physical Ecosystems Course3 
 17 12
Total Credits 132
*

Course requires a grade of C or better for the major

Course requires a grade of C or better for General Education

#

Course is an Entrance to Major requirement

Course satisfies General Education and degree requirement

1

 See your academic adviser for a supporting course list.

University Requirements and General Education Notes:

US and IL are abbreviations used to designate courses that satisfy Cultural Diversity Requirements (United States and International Cultures).

W, M, X, and Y are the suffixes at the end of a course number used to designate courses that satisfy University Writing Across the Curriculum requirement.

General Education includes Foundations (GWS and GQ), Knowledge Domains (GHW, GN, GA, GH, GS) and Integrative Studies (Inter-domain) requirements. N or Q (Honors) is the suffix at the end of a course number used to help identify an Inter-domain course, but the inter-domain attribute is used to fill audit requirements. Foundations courses (GWS and GQ) require a grade of 'C' or better.

All incoming Schreyer Honors College first-year students at University Park will take ENGL 137H/CAS 137H in the fall semester and ENGL 138T/CAS 138T in the spring semester. These courses carry the GWS designation and satisfy a portion of that General Education requirement. If the student’s program prescribes GWS these courses will replace both ENGL 15/ENGL 30H and CAS 100A/CAS 100B/CAS 100C. Each course is 3 credits.

Advising Notes:

  • 3.00 GPA required before admission into teacher certification program.
  • A literature course is required in order to receive a teaching certification.  Please see an academic adviser for a listing of literature courses.  This course can be used toward fulfillment of GH requirements.

PRODUCTION OPTION: AGRICULTURAL AND EXTENSION EDUCATION, B.S. AT UNIVERSITY PARK CAMPUS

The course series listed below provides only one of the many possible ways to move through this curriculum. The University may make changes in policies, procedures, educational offerings, and requirements at any time. This plan should be used in conjunction with your degree audit (accessible in LionPATH as either an Academic Requirements or What If report). Please consult with a Penn State academic adviser on a regular basis to develop and refine an academic plan that is appropriate for you.

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
ENGL 15, 30H, or ESL 15‡#†3BIOL 220W, 230W, or 240W4
General Education Course (GQ - MATH 21 recommended)‡#†3CAS 100, CAS 100A, CAS 100B, or CAS 100C‡†3
BIOL 110#†4EDTHP 115*#3
AEE 100#3SOILS 1013
AG 1502General Education Course (GHW)1.5
General Education Course (Literature Selection)#3General Education Course3
 18 17.5
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
CHEM 130#3ENGL 202C‡†3
AGBM 1013STAT 200‡#†4
EDPSY 14*#3WFED 4143
Plant/Soil Science Course13General Education Course3
General Education Course3 
General Education Course (GHW)1.5 
 16.5 13
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
WFED 4133INTAG 100N3
AEE 3113WFED 4503
College Writing Across the Curriculum Course13AEE 295*1
Animal Science Course13AEE 3493
Ag Course13Animal Science Course13
Elective 2Plant/Soil Science Course13
 17 16
Fourth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
AEE 412*4AEE 313*2
AEE 413*3AEE 49510
AEE 295*1 
AEE 3503 
Ag Course13 
Ag Course12 
 16 12
Total Credits 126
*

Course requires a grade of C or better for the major

Course requires a grade of C or better for General Education

#

Course is an Entrance to Major requirement

Course satisfies General Education and degree requirement

1

 See your academic adviser for a supporting course list.

University Requirements and General Education Notes:

US and IL are abbreviations used to designate courses that satisfy Cultural Diversity Requirements (United States and International Cultures).

W, M, X, and Y are the suffixes at the end of a course number used to designate courses that satisfy University Writing Across the Curriculum requirement.

General Education includes Foundations (GWS and GQ), Knowledge Domains (GHW, GN, GA, GH, GS) and Integrative Studies (Inter-domain) requirements. N or Q (Honors) is the suffix at the end of a course number used to help identify an Inter-domain course, but the inter-domain attribute is used to fill audit requirements. Foundations courses (GWS and GQ) require a grade of 'C' or better.

All incoming Schreyer Honors College first-year students at University Park will take ENGL 137H/CAS 137H in the fall semester and ENGL 138T/CAS 138T in the spring semester. These courses carry the GWS designation and satisfy a portion of that General Education requirement. If the student’s program prescribes GWS these courses will replace both ENGL 15/ENGL 30H and CAS 100A/CAS 100B/CAS 100C. Each course is 3 credits.

Advising Notes:

  • 3.00 GPA required before admission into teacher certification program.
  • A literature course is required in order to receive a teaching certification.  Please see an academic adviser for a listing of literature courses.  This course can be used toward fulfillment of GH requirements.

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE OPTION: AGRICULTURAL AND EXTENSION EDUCATION, B.S. AT COMMONWEALTH CAMPUSES

The course series listed below provides only one of the many possible ways to move through this curriculum. The University may make changes in policies, procedures, educational offerings, and requirements at any time. This plan should be used in conjunction with your degree audit (accessible in LionPATH as either an Academic Requirements or What If report). Please consult with a Penn State academic adviser on a regular basis to develop and refine an academic plan that is appropriate for you.

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
ENGL 15, 30H, or ESL 15‡#†3BIOL 220W, 230W, or 240W4
General Education Course (GQ - MATH 21 recommended)‡#†3CAS 100, CAS 100A, CAS 100B, or CAS 100C‡†3
BIOL 110#†4Environmental Learning Course13
EDTHP 115*#3General Education Course (Literature Selection)#3
First Year Seminar1-3General Education Course (GHW)1.5
General Education Course3 
 17-19 14.5
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
CHEM 130#3ENGL 202C‡†3
AGBM 1013STAT 200‡#†4
EDPSY 14*#3SOILS 1013
Biological, Physical Ecosystems Course13General Education Course3
Social, Policial, Legal Aspects Course13General Education Course (GHW)1.5
General Education Course3 
 18 14.5
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
WFED 4133ANSC 2014
AEE 3113INTAG 100N3
AGRO 283WFED 4143
AEE 100#3AEE 295*1
Environmental Impact Management13AEE 3493
College Writing Across the Curriculum Course13Environmental Impact Management13
 18 17
Fourth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
AEE 412*4AEE 313*2
AEE 413*3AEE 49510
AEE 295*1 
AEE 3503 
WFED 4503 
 14 12
Total Credits 125-127
*

Course requires a grade of C or better for the major

Course requires a grade of C or better for General Education

#

Course is an Entrance to Major requirement

Course satisfies General Education and degree requirement

1

 See your academic adviser for a supporting course list.

University Requirements and General Education Notes:

US and IL are abbreviations used to designate courses that satisfy Cultural Diversity Requirements (United States and International Cultures).

W, M, X, and Y are the suffixes at the end of a course number used to designate courses that satisfy University Writing Across the Curriculum requirement.

General Education includes Foundations (GWS and GQ), Knowledge Domains (GHW, GN, GA, GH, GS) and Integrative Studies (Inter-domain) requirements. N or Q (Honors) is the suffix at the end of a course number used to help identify an Inter-domain course, but the inter-domain attribute is used to fill audit requirements. Foundations courses (GWS and GQ) require a grade of 'C' or better.

Advising Notes:

  • 3.00 GPA required before admission into teacher certification program.
  • A literature course is required in order to receive a teaching certification.  Please see an academic adviser for a listing of literature courses.  This course can be used toward fulfillment of GH requirements.

PRODUCTION OPTION: AGRICULTURAL AND EXTENSION EDUCATION, B.S. AT COMMONWEALTH CAMPUSES

The course series listed below provides only one of the many possible ways to move through this curriculum. The University may make changes in policies, procedures, educational offerings, and requirements at any time. This plan should be used in conjunction with your degree audit (accessible in LionPATH as either an Academic Requirements or What If report). Please consult with a Penn State academic adviser on a regular basis to develop and refine an academic plan that is appropriate for you.

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
ENGL 15, 30H, or ESL 15‡#†3BIOL 220W, 230W, or 240W4
General Education Course (GQ - MATH 21 recommended)‡#†3CAS 100‡†3
EDTHP 115*#3EDPSY 14*#3
BIOL 110#†4Ag Course13
First Year Seminar1-3General Education Course (GHW)1.5
General Education Course3 
 17-19 14.5
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
CHEM 130#3ENGL 202C‡†3
STAT 200‡#†4SOILS 1013
AGBM 1013Plant/Soil Science Course13
General Education Course3Animal Science Course13
General Educaton Course3General Education Course (Literature Selection)#3
General Education Course (GHW)1.5 
 17.5 15
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
WFED 4133INTAG 100N3
AEE 100#3WFED 4143
AEE 3113WFED 4503
College Writing Across the Curriculum Course13AEE 295*1
Plant/Soil Science Course13AEE 3493
 Ag Course13
 Animal Science Course13
 15 19
Fourth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
AEE 412*4AEE 313*2
AEE 413*3AEE 49510
AEE 295*1 
AEE 3503 
Ag Course13 
 14 12
Total Credits 124-126
*

Course requires a grade of C or better for the major

Course requires a grade of C or better for General Education

#

Course is an Entrance to Major requirement

Course satisfies General Education and degree requirement

1

 See your academic adviser for a supporting course list.

University Requirements and General Education Notes:

US and IL are abbreviations used to designate courses that satisfy Cultural Diversity Requirements (United States and International Cultures).

W, M, X, and Y are the suffixes at the end of a course number used to designate courses that satisfy University Writing Across the Curriculum requirement.

General Education includes Foundations (GWS and GQ), Knowledge Domains (GHW, GN, GA, GH, GS) and Integrative Studies (Inter-domain) requirements. N or Q (Honors) is the suffix at the end of a course number used to help identify an Inter-domain course, but the inter-domain attribute is used to fill audit requirements. Foundations courses (GWS and GQ) require a grade of 'C' or better.

Advising Notes:

  • 3.00 GPA required before admission into teacher certification program.
  • A literature course is required in order to receive a teaching certification.  Please see an academic adviser for a listing of literature courses.  This course can be used toward fulfillment of GH requirements.

Professional Licensure/Certification

Many U.S. states and territories require professional licensure/certification to be employed. If you plan to pursue employment in a licensed profession after completing this program, please visit the Professional Licensure/Certification Disclosures by State interactive map.

Contact

University Park

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS, SOCIOLOGY, AND EDUCATION
215 Ferguson Building
University Park, PA 16802
814-863-7463
jce122@psu.edu

https://agsci.psu.edu/academics/undergraduate/majors/agricultural-and-extension-education