courses / admissions / funding resources / certificates / AEC Graduate Handbook 22-23 / Program of Study M.S. or Program of Study PhD / Individual Development Plan

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:

• Agricultural Communication
• Agricultural Education
• Extension Education
• Agricultural Leadership Education

_{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.

• Teaching and Learning in Agricultural and Life Sciences
• Leadership in Agriculture and Natural Resources 
• Agriscience Secondary Teaching Preparation 

_{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

Minor work must be in an academic unit other than the major. If an academic unit contributes more than one course (as specified in the curriculum inventory and/or the Graduate Catalog) to the major, the student is not eligible to earn a minor from the contributing academic unit. A 3.00 (truncated) GPA is required for minor credit. See additional requirements in the Graduate Catalog.

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