Agricultural Education

Agricultural Education is a University of Maryland program that is a cooperative effort of the College of Agriculture and Natural resources and the College of Education. It is designed to prepare students to teach agriculture and related subjects in high school. Many high schools in Maryland and other states offer an agricultural curriculum that is associated with the Future Farmers of America (FFA).

There are two paths that students can take in preparation for a career as a high school agriculture teacher. Students can double major in Agricultural Sciences and Technology (AGST) and Secondary Education or students can earn a B.S. degree in AGST and a M.A. degree in education.

Double Major Path:

Students wishing to double major in AGST and Secondary Education can accomplish this in 120 credits (University minimum for a B.S. degree) and 4 years (see the Agricultural Education 4-year plan). The teaching internship in the last semester of the student's senior year will occur at a Maryland high school with an agricultural curriculum. The double major path is best suited for those students entering the University of Maryland as freshmen and knows then or soon after that they want to teach. Students that earn a degree with a double major in AGST and Secondary Education are prepared to apply to the State Board of Education for accreditation

Integrated Masters Path:

All teachers in Maryland are expected to get their Masters degree either prior to accepting a teaching job or while they are employed by a school. The Integrated Masters path involves obtaining a B. S. degree in AGST and a Secondary Education M. A. degree. Those students accepted in to the Secondary M. A. degree program can complete this degree in one year after earning their B. S. degree in AGST (see the Agricultural Education Integrated Masters 4 plus 1 plan). The teaching internship in the last semester of the student's senior year will occur at a Maryland high school with an agricultural curriculum. The Integrated Masters path may be best suited for students that have transferred in to the University of Maryland or made the decision late during their undergraduate studies that they want to teach.

Who Should be in Agricultural Education?

If you love agriculture and you enjoy teaching people about the significance of agriculture then Agricultural Education is for you. Agricultural teachers get to work with and help develop young minds. They also quite often develop in to leaders in the agricultural community on a local and state level.