Agricultural Education and Communication

Graduate Program

courses / admissions / funding resources / certificates /AEC Graduate Handbook 23-24

The Agricultural Education and Communication department offers degrees of Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy. While obtaining a degree in Agricultural Education and Communication, students may specialize in one of four areas:

_{Dr. J.C. Bunch discusses some of the things you can expect when selecting UF/IFAS agricultural education and communication for your graduate program. He stands outside on campus, between the two buildings that house AEC faculty and staff. Click the video to take a 360° look.}

The master’s degree is offered in a traditional face-to-face format for on-campus students or in an online format for students pursuing their degree from a distance. The master’s degree is designed to prepare graduates for teaching, research, extension, administrative, and leadership positions in the public and private sectors. The on-campus and distance program each typically take two years to complete.

The Doctor of Philosophy degree is primarily designed to prepare graduates for faculty and/or administrative positions in teaching, research, and extension. The PhD program typically takes 3 years to complete for full-time students.

_{Lizzie Whitehead, a former academic programs specialist, stands in one of our graduate offices to discuss the components of the application to the graduate program in AEC. Please note, the department removed the GRE score requirement from the application after this video was created. The GRE is now an optional component of the application.}

Certificates

Graduate students can also obtain a certificate in addition to their degree through our department. Currently, there are three certificates available.

_{Brad Coleman, PhD student in AEC, stands in the Rolfs Hall classroom to discuss his path to AEC and his experience in the department. Click to take a 360° look at the space.}

Minors

A graduate minor is a block of course work completed in any academic unit outside the student’s major. A graduate minor in AEC is available at both the MS and PhD levels. An AEC minor must be approved and added by the student’s home academic unit. All students with an AEC minor must have an AEC supervisory committee member (often the external member). A special appointment may not serve as the committee member for the minor. The minor appears on the student’s transcript along with the program name and the degree awarded. A 3.00 GPA in minor coursework is required for minor credit. Courses taken elsewhere (not at UF) may not be used to satisfy minor requirements. PhD students must have a minimum of 12 credit hours of graduate-level AEC coursework. Master’s students must have a minimum of 6 credit hours of graduate-level AEC coursework.

Students outside of the department that wish to add Agricultural Education and Communication as a minor should contact Peggy Lowenstein.