What Are the Requirements to Become an Agriculture Teacher?
As well as educating students about agriculture, some agriculture teachers help farmers and homeowners develop effective agricultural practices. Learn about the degree programs you can pursue in agricultural education, the other qualifications for becoming an agriculture teacher, coursework and online study options.
How Do I Become an Agriculture Teacher?
<p>Frequently offered by state land-grant universities around the U.S., agriculture teacher programs prepare you for a career teaching agriculture principles and techniques at secondary schools, colleges and universities - as well as governmental agencies or cooperative extension offices. You need to learn about the natural sciences and agricultural practices, and then fulfill the requirements of your state's teacher licensing or certification guidelines.
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<table border="1"><tr><td><b>Job Requirements</b></td><td>Degree; license or certification</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Program Levels</b></td><td>Bachelor's, master's and doctoral</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Common Courses</b></td><td>Varies by level; may include entomology, plant pathology, research, education program development</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Course Format</b></td><td>Online or on-campus</td></tr>
<tr><td><b> Median Salary (2020)</b> </td><td> $62,870 (<i>for all high school teachers</i>) </td></tr>
<tr><td><b> Job Outlook (2019-2029)</b></td><td> 4% growth (<i>for all high school teachers</i>) </td></tr>
</table><p><i>Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</i>
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<h3 id="section---WhatProgramsAreAvailableToMe">What Programs Are Available to Me?</h3>
<p>Agriculture teaching or agriculture education degree programs are offered at both undergraduate and graduate levels. You can earn a bachelor's, master's or doctoral degree in agriculture education. If you already have a teaching certificate, you may be able to earn a master's degree in agriculture education online; you can read more about this option below.
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<p>If you're pursuing a bachelor's degree, you can find programs in either agriculture education or agriculture studies with a teaching certification option. If you've already earned a bachelor's degree in agriculture or a related field, you can earn a master's degree that prepares you to teach at the postsecondary level. Doctoral degree programs prepare you for research and leadership positions in agriculture education.
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<h3 id="section---WhatCoursesWillITake">What Courses Will I Take?</h3>
<p>Bachelor's degree programs in agriculture education typically cover a wide range of agricultural topics, including natural science, range management, horticulture and soil science. You also take courses in communication and education. Some programs offer electives in veterinary science, entomology, plant pathology and cereal science. You also have to take education courses that offer teaching skills, and you apply them in a supervised setting.
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<p>Master's degree programs in agriculture education usually build on your undergraduate studies through high-level agriculture and specialized teaching courses. You learn how to develop agricultural education programs, teach laboratory classes and teach special needs students, and you fulfill requirements for teacher certification. Independent study, research and field experiences are a large part of master's degree programs, and a thesis is usually required. Doctoral programs for agriculture teaching involve extensive research and a dissertation.
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<h3 id="section---HowDoOnlineProgramsWork">How Do Online Programs Work?</h3>
<p>Online programs for agriculture teachers are usually geared toward students who wish to add to their credentials. You probably won't be able to earn a certificate or license to become an agriculture teacher, but you might enhance your career prospects. Some programs culminate in an oral exam rather than a thesis, and in many programs you have to complete a project regarding agriculture education.</p>