Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communications Major, MS

The graduate program offers a Master of Science (MS) degree in Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communications. The master’s degree programs have been specifically designed to deliver research-based education so that students are empowered to succeed in these career opportunities:

  • Agricultural Leadership: For students who want to develop personal leadership skills, engage in community and organizational development, serve others, and network with leadership institutes in global environments.

  • Agricultural Education: For students who want an exciting career in education and related areas as a certified agriscience instructor and educational specialist.

  • Extension Education: For students who want to lead outreach and nonformal education in government service, community, and industry settings.

  • Agricultural Communications: For students who want to focus on anticipatory and strategic communications to build, maintain, and repair relationships with agricultural stakeholders and stake seekers.

Students may elect either an online or on-campus option for completing requirements of the master’s degree. The online option consists of a general degree in Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communications.

See the Graduate Student Handbook for more information on the program and course requirements.

Course Knowledge Areas

ALEC 440 – Writing for Careers in Industry and Academia (online)

ALEC 532 – Introduction to Agricultural Communications (in-person)

ALEC 535 – Communication in Agriculture and Natural Resources (online)

ALEC 536 – Communicating Agriculture and Natural Resources Policy Issues (online; offered occasionally)

ALEC 548 – Theory and Practice of Agricultural Public Relations (online)

ALEC 537 – Communication Strategies for Leaders (online)

ALEC 541 – Communicating in Crisis (in-person & online)

ALEC 542 – Digital Production Campaigns (Even Years; in-person)

ALEC 543 – Video Production Campaigns (Odd Years; in-person)

ALEC 510 – Leadership, Inquiry, and Ethics (online)

ALEC 520 – Leadership Development in Organizations and Community Nonprofit (online)

ALEC 522 – Supervisory Leadership (online)

ALEC 523 – Women in Leadership (online)

ALEC 551 – Servant Leadership (online)

ALEC 552 – Organizational Leadership and Change (online)

ALEC 512 – Program Evaluation in Informal Learning Environments (online)

ALEC 525 – Curriculum Development in Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communications (online)

ALEC 545 – Program Planning and Learning Design in Agriscience Education (in-person)

ALEC 531 – Developing and Leading a Volunteer Program in Agricultural Education, Extension, and Community Nonprofits (online; offered occasionally)

ALEC 521 – Youth Development (online)

ALEC 533 – Teaching and Learning Theory: Applications in Agricultural Disciplines (online)

ALEC 534 – Methods of Teaching Agriscience (in-person)

ALEC 585 – Global Sustainable Development Goals (in-person)

ALEC 612 – Diffusion of Innovations (online)

ALEC 677 – Emergent Trends and Critical Issues in Leadership (online)


For more information on the program and whether it might be a good fit for you, contact our Graduate Coordinator, Dr. Carrie Stephens.

Carrie Ann Stephens Profile Page
Carrie Ann Stephens
Professor, Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communications