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Graduate Program - Distance Degrees: Master's

Master's of Agriculture (general)

The Master of Agriculture is a non-thesis degree requiring a minimum of 36 semester hours of graduate course work. Because the degree program is multi-disciplinary and includes a wide range of professional courses, it prepares students and professionals to enter a wide range of careers as leaders, managers, and executives in the agricultural sciences and natural resources profession.

Students major in agriculture and select an emphasis area available through one of the various departments in the college. For an emphasis in agricultural education and communications, students would normally take 18 hours in the department and the balance of credits in at least three other areas. Courses may be taken from offerings within the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources and from other colleges of the University.

A final oral comprehensive exam is required in the semester of intended graduation. This exam is an evaluation of the student’s synthesis and application of knowledge acquired during the course of study leading to the Master’s degree; no student should expect the evaluation to be based solely on performance in the classroom. The student’s graduate committee (consisting of at least three faculty members) will administer the exam.

Master's of Agriculture (Agricultural Education Concentration with an Educational Leadership Emphasis)

This Master of Science in Agricultural Communications is designed to prepare graduates for entry into or advancement in a variety of mass media, marketing, and public relations positions. This program also provides development of professional communications skills for related careers in agribusiness, government service, education, and extension. The Master's degree program in agricultural communications provides a flexible program, which can be tailored to meet each student's unique situation. Specialization areas such as marketing, mass media, and public relations are also available through cooperation with the College of Mass Communications. This degree program is intended primarily for students who enter with a Bachelor’s degree in agricultural communications, journalism, agricultural communication/journalism, advertising, broadcasting, public relations, or related fields. However, students with an undergraduate degree outside of these areas may still pursue this degree.

This unique non-thesis degree is designed for high school agricultural science teachers who have an interest in certifying as a principal. Of the 36 credits required for the degree, 21 are required in Agricultural Education and 15 in Educational Leadership (see detailed curriculum).

The Colleges of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources and the College of Education at Texas Tech University have teamed up to offer this degree via distance education at Fredericksburg, Junction, Highland Lakes/Marble Falls, and Lubbock campuses.

The TTU Principal Professional Certification Program is a 42-credit hour program which fully incorporates this 36 credit hour Master’s of Agriculture Degree. This program prepares students interested in pursuing careers as elementary or secondary school principals in Texas. Students seeking Principal Professional Certification must have at least two years of Texas Education Agency (TEA)-approved experience and apply for admission into the certification program during the first semester of enrollment in this program. For a school Principal Professional Certification, students must complete six hours of EDLD 5392 – Principal Internship beyond this 36-hour Master’s program. Students must also complete Instructional Leadership Development (ILD) and Professional Development and Supervision (PDAS) training at a Texas Regional Education Service Center (equivalent to 3 semester credit hours). SBEC’s School Principalship TExES examination must also be passed. Students may contact Dr. David Doerfert (david.doerfert@ttu.edu) the department’s Graduate Coordinator at 806.742.2816 for more details.

Master's of Agricultural Education

The Master of Science in Agricultural Education is designed to prepare graduates for teaching, research, extension, leadership, and administrative positions in the public and private sectors. The program is similar to the on-campus Master’s of Agricultural Education degree. Students in the Master's program focus on a core of agricultural education courses along with an emphasis in designing educational/training programs, professional presentation enhancement, leadership development, teaching/training methods, and interpersonal communication.

The Master of Science in Agricultural Education requires a minimum of 36 semester hours of graduate course work and has a thesis or non-thesis option (see the detailed curriculum). Non-thesis option requires the student to complete 6 additional credit hours and successfully complete an examination over their completed course work at the end of the degree program. This degree specialization also allows students to complete the requirements of teacher certification while completing their Master’s degree program (if needed).