Graduate Programs
Graduate Programs
The agricultural industry is constantly evolving, making it important to understand what opportunities are available. Our graduate programs are designed for agricultural science teachers, extension agents and other professionals involved in formal or informal education organizations, as well as agricultural professionals who work with applied agricultural technologies or agricultural communications.
Degree Options: Master of Science in Agricultural and Extension Education, Ph.D. program in Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences with a concentration in Agricultural Education, Communication and Technology
Graduate Coordinator: Jill Rucker
Master of Science in Agricultural & Extension Education
The degree plan is developed according to faculty specializations in agricultural education, communications, leadership or system technology management. Our professors strive to meet the custom needs and interests of individual students. Students can enroll in fall or spring (no summer admission).
Program at a glance:
- Available to complete 100% online, on campus, or hybrid
- Thesis or Non-Thesis Option
- 33 credit hours
- Affiliate of IDEA Consortium
- A cumulative GPA of 2.85 or higher for graduation
Typical Online Tract:
- 100% online courses
- Non-Thesis
- Core courses offered through the U of A
- 18 hours from IDEA or other U of A online classes
Typical Campus Tract:
- Courses taken on campus and online
- Thesis
- 6 hours of Thesis
- Core courses offered through the U of A
- 15 hours from IDEA or other U of A courses
AFLS Ph.D. Agricultural Education, Communication and Technology Concentration
The Department of Agricultural Education, Communications and Technology offers a concentration for the interdisciplinary Ph.D. program in Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences. Faculty from across Bumpers College prepare students for the wider array of natural and social sciences while allowing the student to develop a tailored degree program through the agricultural education, communication and technology concentration.
Course Requirements:
- 72 hours after a B.S. or B.A.
- 42 hours after a M.S. or M.A.
General Requirements:
- 6 elective course hours
- 2 seminar hours
- 18 doctoral dissertation hours
Concentration Requirements:
- 9 graduate hours related to research and/or data analysis
- 3 hours in graduate-level courses related to theory appropriate to the student's discipline
- 1 graduate-level elective hour as appropriate to the discipline
- 3 hours AECT 6903 - Emerging Scholarship in the Discipline
How to Apply
Complete the online application for graduate studies (M.S. or Ph.D.) and follow instructions to upload all required documents:
- application for admission indicating the desired degree concentration, areas of interest and career goals
- official transcripts of all previous college-level work
- GRE or MAT score
- resume or CV
- statement of purpose
- 3 letters of recommendation
to your Applicant Center in UA Connect. Applicants will receive an email request from the Graduate School to provide the name and contact information for each reference. The Graduate School will contact the references with instructions for submitting letters of recommendation.
A Statement of Purpose is a 1-2 page statement reviewing your background, your interest in the program and your future career goals. It should include references to past academic/professional experiences, but should primarily focus on the future. You should express why your experiences and interests make you a good fit for our graduate program. Remember, it is an example of your writing ability.
Application Deadlines
- Fall: July 1
- Spring : Nov. 1
Applications received after the deadline will be considered for admission based on departmental requirements and the availability of positions and funding.
Please submit your application to the Graduate School at least one month prior to the department deadlines to allow time for processing.
Funding Your Degree
Assistantships and Fellowships for M.S. and Ph.D. students are available on a competitive basis. For information about tuition and fees or to estimate tuition cost, visit the Treasurer's Office website.
Assisantships and fellowships include a stipend and tuition waver. Stipend rates are dependent on percentage of appointment (20 or 50 percent) and if the student has a nine or 12 month appointment. Complete the Graduate Assistantship application to apply for funding for your graduate degree.