Our Undergraduate and Graduate Programs

Undergraduate Programs

Agricultural Education

A major in agricultural education is designed to prepare students with the necessary communication and interpersonal skills, leadership training, and knowledge of technical agriculture to be a teacher of agricultural education at the secondary or postsecondary level, or accept employment in agribusiness leading to positions in training and/or development. The major provides good preparation for work in agricultural extension, positions in foreign service, and agricultural educators in business and industry. Many students graduate with a dual major in agricultural education and another major in the College. Agricultural education majors may elect to follow the teaching option or the agricultural leadership option. Students desiring to be admitted to the Teacher Education program in the Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication should apply as early as possible after the completion of at least 42 credit hours (at least one year before they plan to student teach). Student teaching is conducted off campus through university-approved agreements with cooperating secondary schools. Plans for student teaching must be made early. To be admitted in full standing for student teaching, the student must have passed the Pre-Professional Skills Test, and have a minimum scholastic grade point average of 2.50. Students with less than a 2.50 GPA may be given provisional admission.

Teaching Certificate. Successful completion of the teaching endorsement requirements, along with a recommendation by the Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication, warrants recommendation for a Nebraska Secondary Teaching Certificate by the Nebraska Department of Education, with an endorsement to teach secondary agricultural education (7-12). The choice is available to students to complete course work qualifying for subject endorsement in biology.

Agricultural Journalism

This major is designed to prepare students for careers in agricultural and natural resources journalism and public relations. The major gives the student a broad education in agricultural sciences and natural resources combined with journalism and leadership skills. Graduates are also qualified to pursue careers in journalism and public relations that do not deal with agriculture or natural resources. Students will complete the Advertising, Broadcasting, or News-Editorial sequence in Journalism and the Agricultural Journalism core. Students may select one of three areas of emphasis within the agricultural journalism major: 1) Agricultural and Natural Resources Policy, 2) Production Agriculture, or 3) Agricultural and Natural Resources Public Relations. The general education requirements give the student a well-rounded introduction to science, communications, humanities and social sciences. The Agricultural Journalism core provides an introduction to the major content areas a journalist/public relations professional should know including leadership development. The journalism core is offered through the College of Journalism and Mass Communications, which is an accredited program.

Hospitality, Restaurant & Tourism Management

The Bachelor of Science in Hospitality, Restaurant & Tourism Management is jointly offered by the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources and College of Education & Human Sciences. The degree prepares individuals to serve as general managers and directors of hospitality operations by providing an excellent foundation in hospitality, leadership, and business. The program integrates hospitality marketing strategies, communications, and financial management into a curriculum focused on managing facilities and operations that provide hospitality services to the public. Students select from six emphasis areas offered through the two emphasis areas offered by the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources: Ecotourism, and Parks and Recreation or College of Education & Human Sciences: Food & Beverage, Lodging, Convention and Meeting Planning, Human Resources, Public Relations, and Journalism and Mass Communication.

Cooperative Extension Minor

A minor program in cooperative extension is available through the Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication. In addition to enhancing and developing leadership and educational presentation skills, the minor is designed to gain a working knowledge of the interactions that can and do exist by using the resources, structure and services available through the land grant institution and cooperative extension. It will provide expertise that can be used in a variety of career paths and settings for students with interests in cooperative extension, environment and natural resources, community resource development and a variety of education and agricultural related environments.

Environmental Communications Minor

A minor program in environmental communications is available through the Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication in cooperation with the School of Natural Resources. The minor is designed to provide students with interests in environmental studies and natural resources, additional expertise that can be used in a variety of career paths and settings. It is also designed to provide the student with a general understanding and working knowledge of the interactions that do and can exist between the agricultural sciences, natural resources, and the environment. The ability to communicate effectively with the public about these relevant issues, in articulate, analytical and substantive ways, is becoming an increasingly valued and necessary skill, self-evident to many groups including policy makers, legislators, regulators, advocates, business and the general public.

Environmental Education Minor

A minor in environmental education is designed to provide additional qualifications for students interested in pursuing a career in the field of environmental and natural resources education. Career options for students pursuing and environmental education minor include working in formal and informal educational settings; employment in the public or private sector; and service as educational specialists, extension educators, and program leaders.

Leadership and Communication Minor

Two minor programs in leadership and communication are available through the Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication. Combining a leadership and communication minor with any CASNR major strengthens students "employability" base by making them competent technical professionals who are also strong leaders, and effective communicators.

Graduate Programs

Leadership Education & Leadership Studies

Master of Science in Leadership Education

Candidates for the degree must possess a bachelors degree from an accredited institution. The program welcomes applicants from a variety of disciplines and fields.The MS in leadership education may be earned in an area of emphasis in Leadership Development or in one of three specializations (Teaching and Extension Education; Distance Education; Nutritional Outreach Education). Leadership Education students may also participate in the interdisciplinary specialization of Environmental Studies or Great Plains Studies. Programs are planned to meet individual student background experiences and desired graduate program goals. The degree may be earned by successfully completing a minimum of 30 credit hours (Option I) or 36 credit hours (Options II and III) beyond the bachelors degree. Option I includes a thesis. Option II is non-thesis and requires a minor from another department. Option III is open to students admitted into the Doctoral Specialization in Leadership Studies. In Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication, the degree may be pursued in one of four areas described below.

Leadership Development Emphasis

The Leadership Development Emphasis immerses students in the increasingly complex area of leadership. The program is designed to enhance prior education and experience to prepare for careers related to leadership, organization or community development. Leadership courses offered range from the foundations of leadership to applications for leadership development, leading change, community leadership and leadership in cross-cultural settings.

Teaching and Extension Education Specialization

The Teaching and Extension Education specialization prepares students for careers in community college or university teaching, public school teaching, outreach programs and Cooperative Extension. The specialization is valuable to international students planning teaching careers, as well as for individuals providing educational services. Teaching and extension courses range from teaching strategies to program planning and use of technology in education.

Distance Education Specialization

The Distance Education specialization prepares students for careers in formal and informal settings in business, training, or education. Courses range from distance education fundamentals, research foundations, applications and to management of distance technologies.

Nutritional Outreach Education Specialization

The department offers the Nutritional Outreach Education Specialization in cooperation with the Department of Nutritional Science and Dietetics. Students design their program to encompass the areas of learning, teaching and outreach in nutritional education.

Doctoral Program in Human Sciences, Leadership Studies Specialization

The Department offers a Doctoral Specialization in Leadership Studies within the Education and Human Sciences Doctoral Program. The Ed.D. or Ph.D. specialization is recommended for individuals preparing for a variety of careers. The Ed.D. specialization is recommended for those whose primary interest is in the application of theory and knowledge to improve leadership practice. Most Ed.D. graduates pursue practitioner-based careers in the leadership field. The Ph.D. is designed for students seeking to conduct research to generate new knowledge or reform leadership theory. Most Ph.D. graduates pursue faculty or high-level leadership careers.