蒙大拿州立大学

The graduate program in Agricultural Education at Montana State University is designed to prepare graduates for entry into or advancement in formal and non-formal teaching careers. This program also provides development of professional leadership skills for other careers in agribusiness, government service, extension, or adult education.

The master's degree program in Agricultural Education, with its various options, provides a program that can be tailored to meet each student's career goals. In addition to the wide variety of professional courses in agricultural education, offerings are also available from all academic Departments in the College of Agriculture, including agricultural economics, animal and range sciences, land resources and environmental sciences, plant sciences and plant pathology, and veterinary molecular biology. Specialization areas such as adult education, educational administration, career education, and curriculum coordination are also available through cooperation with the College of Education, Health and Human Development. Plan A (thesis), Plan B (project or professional paper), and an online option are available.

Program Requirements

The program offers considerable flexibility to students to help them meet their professional and personal objectives. Plan A requires a thesis. A minimum of 30 credit hours must be completed, 20 credits of course work and 10 credits of thesis preparation. Students who choose Plan B are required to complete a professional paper based on a current research issue related to the student's emphasis area. Students will take a minimum of 30 hours of course work (no thesis credits). The final selection of the student's research activity will be the student's responsibility in collaboration with the advisor and the graduate committee.

The requirements for students in the on-line program are similar to those for students following the Plan B program. Taking a minimum of 6 credits per semester, students will take a minimum of 30 semester hours of graduate coursework. Their coursework must include: Research Methods in Agricultural Education (AGED 506), Program Planning and Evaluation (AGED 507), Graduate Seminar (AGED 594) each year of the program, and Philosophy of Teaching and Learning in Agricultural Education (AGED 511). A final written exam and a professional paper are required in lieu of a thesis.

Required Core Courses

• AGED 506 Research Methods in Agricultural Education
• AGED 507 Program Planning and Evaluation
• AGED 594 Graduate Seminar
• AGED 591 Philosophy of Teaching and Learning in Agricultural Education