Program Overview

Agricultural Education (AGED) Program

The Agricultural Education (AGED) program at Cal Poly is designed to provide students with a comprehensive education in agricultural sciences, teaching methods, and leadership development.

Program Overview

The AGED program offers a range of courses and experiences that prepare students for careers in agricultural education, including teaching, extension, and industry. The program is committed to providing students with a strong foundation in agricultural sciences, as well as the skills and knowledge needed to become effective educators and leaders.

Course Offerings

The AGED program offers a variety of courses, including:

• AGED 2200: Special Problems for Undergraduates (1-3 units) - Individual investigation, research, studies, or surveys of selected problems in Agricultural Education.
• AGED 2220: Agricultural Youth Conferences (2 units) - Problems encountered and practices applied during the annual FFA State Convention.
• AGED 2270: Special Topics (1-3 units) - Directed group study of special topics.
• AGED 3303: Agricultural Youth Leadership Development (3 units) - Historical, philosophical, and social foundations of agricultural education as it relates to the development of youth leadership skills.
• AGED 3350: Early Field Experience in Agriculture Education (1 unit) - Observation of the practices and techniques utilized by agriculture teachers in conducting organized instruction in high school classrooms.
• AGED 4400: Special Problems for Advanced Undergraduates (1-3 units) - Individual investigation, research studies, or surveys of selected problems in Agricultural Education.
• AGED 4410: Computer Applications in Agricultural Education (1 unit) - Use of computer technology to address professional demands in a variety of agricultural education situations.
• AGED 4421: Agricultural Mechanics (3 units) - Identification and use of tools and materials, shop safety, tool sharpening and care.
• AGED 4424: Seminar in Agricultural Education (2 units) - Exploration of critical issues and topics in agricultural education.
• AGED 4440: Agriculture Clinical Practice I (3 units) - Clinical experiences involving observation, limited planning, instruction, assessment, and reflection.
• AGED 4441: Agriculture Clinical Practice II (10 units) - Teacher candidates work full-time alongside cooperating teacher in secondary agriculture classroom.
• AGED 4470: Special Advanced Topics (1-3 units) - Directed group study of special topics for advanced students.
• AGED 4471: Special Advanced Laboratory (1-3 units) - Directed group laboratory study of special topics for advanced students.
• AGED 5500: Individual Study in Agricultural Education (1-3 units) - Advanced independent study planned and completed under the direction of a member of the Agricultural Education and Communication faculty.
• AGED 5501: Professional Seminar in Agricultural Education (1 unit) - Orientation to the Master of Agricultural Education program.
• AGED 5510: Foundations in Agricultural Education & Communication Research (3 units) - Research methodologies in agricultural education and communication.
• AGED 5513: Agriculture Specialist Clinical Practice (6 units) - Practice and techniques in management and supervision of programs in agricultural education.
• AGED 5520: Program Development in Agricultural Education (3 units) - Approaches to the development of an integrated agricultural education program in the comprehensive high school.
• AGED 5522: Laboratory Pedagogy in Agricultural Technology (3 units) - Organizing agricultural technology laboratory instruction, curriculum, and facilities.
• AGED 5523: Laboratory Organization and Management in Agricultural Education (3 units) - Organizing and managing laboratories, including agricultural mechanics curriculum.
• AGED 5524: Instructional Processes in Agricultural Education (3 units) - Principles of agricultural teaching methods and developmentally-appropriate pedagogy.
• AGED 5530: Developing FFA and Supervised Agricultural Experience Programs in Secondary Education (3 units) - Integrating FFA and supervised agricultural experience programs into curriculum.
• AGED 5536: Teaching Agriculture in Higher Education (3 units) - Selection and use of teaching strategies, methods/approaches, and techniques when planning, delivering, and evaluating instruction.
• AGED 5539: Graduate Internship in Agricultural Education and Communication (1-6 units) - Application of theory to the solution of problems of agricultural production or related business in the field of Agricultural Education and Communication.
• AGED 5540: Instructional Planning in Agriculture (1 unit) - Prior to the first day of teaching agriculture, develop a plan for delivery of instruction in a program of agriculture in a K-14 educational setting.
• AGED 5570: Special Advanced Topics (1-3 units) - Directed group study of special topics for advanced students.
• AGED 5571: Special Advanced Laboratory (1-3 units) - Directed group laboratory study of special topics for advanced students.
• AGED 5572: Topics for Teaching Methods in Agriculture, Forestry, and Natural Resource Pathways (3 units) - Topics for advanced students in teaching Agriculture, Forestry, and Natural Resources pathways in secondary education.
• AGED 5580: Special Problems in Agricultural Education (1-3 units) - Individual study of modern issues and problems conducted through research, planning, and development.
• AGED 5581: Graduate Seminar in Agricultural Education (3 units) - Group study of selected developments, trends, and issues in the field of Agricultural Education.
• AGED 5597: Comprehensive Examination (0 units) - Comprehensive assessment for a non-thesis master's student showing integration of knowledge, critical and independent thinking, and mastery of agricultural education.

Program Requirements

The AGED program requires students to complete a minimum of 120 units, including:

• 40 units of general education courses
• 60 units of major-specific courses
• 20 units of elective courses

Admission Criteria

Admission to the AGED program requires:

• A minimum GPA of 2.5
• Completion of prerequisite courses in agricultural sciences and education
• Submission of a personal statement and letters of recommendation

Research Areas

The AGED program offers research opportunities in a variety of areas, including:

• Agricultural education and communication
• Agricultural mechanics and technology
• Agricultural youth leadership development
• Curriculum development and instructional design
• Teacher education and professional development

Faculty and Staff

The AGED program is led by a team of experienced faculty and staff, including:

• Dr. [Name], Program Director
• Dr. [Name], Associate Professor
• Dr. [Name], Assistant Professor
• [Name], Lecturer

Facilities and Resources

The AGED program has access to a range of facilities and resources, including:

• The Agricultural Education and Communication Center
• The Cal Poly Farm
• The Agricultural Mechanics Laboratory
• The Computer Applications Laboratory

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the AGED program are prepared for careers in:

• Agricultural education and teaching
• Extension and outreach
• Industry and private sector
• Government and policy
• Non-profit and advocacy

Alumni Network

The AGED program has a strong alumni network, with graduates working in a variety of fields and locations. Alumni are encouraged to stay connected with the program and each other through regular events and updates.