Agricultural Education (B.S.)

FAST FACTS ›

  • Most of our students are heavily involved in the collegiate FFA or 4-H chapters.
  • Agricultural education is the most diverse agricultural degree available covering multiple disciplines.
  • Each student is required to spend a semester in a supervised student teaching experience or an internship.
  • Ag Ed majors take course work in animal science, horticulture, forestry and agribusiness.
ABOUT.

If you enjoy agriculture and working with people and are also looking for a career that is rewarding and diverse, then the agricultural education major may be a great fit for you! There continues to be a high demand for agriculture teachers, and graduates are also sought after for a variety of positions for private industry as well as the public sector. Students in this major have a wide variety of technical interests including animal agriculture, science, plant agriculture, agribusiness, plant sciences, agricultural mechanization and natural resources. 

CLASSES.

What you'll study:

In order to be successful in any of the career opportunities that lead from the agricultural education degree, graduates must have gained a broad knowledge of agriculture. At Clemson, you’ll gain understandings from the science behind genetically modified soybeans, to the political challenges of water management, and onto the complexities of agricultural marketing and commodities. While the curriculum is balanced to expose you to the many facets of agriculture and natural resources, there are also opportunities to select course work specific to your interests.

Teaching Concentration
The teaching concentration is for students who wish to pursue teacher certification for working in secondary education. You must complete a supervised student teaching experience as well as the Praxis examination required by the S.C. Department of Education.

Communication Concentration
The communication concentration is a great fit for anyone who wishes to pursue a career in the agriculture industry. Our graduates are sought after for positions in sales, marketing, program development, public relations or journalism.

Leadership Concentration
The leadership concentration trains you to become a leader, trendsetter and innovator for the agricultural industry. Graduates may find themselves in positions with agricultural corporations, government agencies or nonprofit organizations.

Curriculum:

Popular Minors:

  • Animal and Veterinary Sciences
  • Agricultural Mechanization and Business
  • Agricultural Business
  • Management
  • Communication Studies
  • Forest Resource Management
  • Horticulture

Similar Majors:

BEYOND THE CLASSROOM.

Since agriculture is the No. 1 industry in South Carolina, there are many opportunities to feel its impact within just a few short steps of the classroom. Our Ag Ed program places an emphasis on learning through doing and requires all students to complete an internship or student teaching semester.

Internships and Research Projects:

EXPERIENCE:
Depending on the selected concentration, each student is required to complete one semester of experiential learning. This semester is fundamental for putting into practice the theories and ideas learned through the program.
NETWORK:
Each year, the Clemson Collegiate FFA Chapter sends some members to the National FFA Convention. Programming for collegiate members allows for professional development opportunities and career-focused networking.
FFA:
Clemson's Collegiate FFA Chapter provides members professionally relevant workshops, speakers and networking. They also support the S.C. FFA Association through activities such as career development events.
TOUR:
You'll regularly be required to get out and see firsthand where our graduates are in industry and how agriculture takes product from the field or forest to the table or retail store.
STUDY ABROAD:
Each fall semester, agricultural education students have the chance to travel to Russia and enroll in a semester of agricultural communications course work while gaining a unique cultural experience.

Connect with Other Students:

CAREERS.

What are students doing at graduation?*

84%

Employed

14%

Grad School

2%

Seeking Employment

0%

Other

Where are students headed at graduation?*

Recent employers and job titles*

  • USDA, Natural Resource Conservation Service — Program Specialist
  • Clemson University — Extension Associate
  • Strom Thurmond Career Center — Agricultural Education Instructor

Recent graduate schools and sought degree types*

  • University of Georgia — Master’s
  • Louisiana State University — Master’s
  • Oklahoma State University — Ph.D.

Common Career Areas**

  • Education
    • Teaching
    • Administration
    • Student Affairs 
  • Extension
    • Agricultural Extension Service
    • Family Consumer Sciences Education
    • 4-H and Youth Development
    • Economic and Community Development
  • Agricultural Leadership
    • Sales
    • Management
    • Human Resources
    • Organizational Training
    • Management Consulting
    • Policy Development
    • Governmental Relations
    • Community Development
    • Informal Education
  • Agricultural Communications
    • Journalism
    • Public Relations
    • Technical/Scientific Writing
    • Advertising Sales
    • Promotion
  • Government and Nonprofit
    • State and Federal Conservation
    • Health and Regulatory Inspection
    • Agricultural Inspection
    • Policy Analysis
    • Legislation
    • Association Representation
*Represents only Clemson University graduates who completed Michelin® Career Center surveys from 2009 to 2011.
**Used w/permission from Univ. of Tennessee.
FIND OUT MORE.

Have more questions or want more information? Fill out the form below, which goes directly to the following department contact as well as our admissions office.

Katie Black, Student Recruitment Coordinator
888-472-5433 — hulse@clemson.edu