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Department of Agricultural Education and Communications

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Undergraduate ProgramGraduate ProgramCourse DescriptionsFaculty

CONTACT INFORMATION: 103 Agricultural Education and Communications Building
Box 42131, Lubbock, TX 79409-2131
T 806.742.2816, F 806.742.2880, steven.fraze@ttu.edu, www.depts.ttu.edu/aged

About the Program

This department supervises the following degree programs:

        • Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Agriculture
        • Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Communications
        • Master of Science in Agricultural Education
        • Master of Science in Agricultural Communications
        • Doctor of Education in Agricultural Education
        • Doctor of Philosophy in Agricultural Communications and Education
        • Graduate Certificate in Agricultural Leadership

The department participates in the interdepartmental program leading to the Master of Agriculture degree with an option in educational leadership, agricultural communications, agricultural extension education, or agricultural education. Back to Top


Undergraduate Program

Students majoring in interdisciplinary agriculture for the B.S. degree may choose from two tracks: teacher certification or agricultural leadership. The teacher certification track involves courses from many departments in the college. Elective courses can be selected in areas of special interest. Job placement in high schools, cooperative extension, and community colleges offers a life-long career for many graduates and alternative employment opportunities for others. Students seeking teacher certification also may receive a degree in another agricultural area and, with proper planning, receive certification in agricultural education. Students seeking teacher certification also should refer to the College of Education section of this catalog. The agricultural leadership track prepares students to enter a broad array of careers either in the public sector (legislature assistants, agricultural agencies) or private sector (training and development, management, or sales in agricultural, food, and natural resource industries).

Agricultural communications allows students to specialize in both mass communications and agriculture. The communications component consists of prescribed courses in journalism, speech, public relations, photography, and advertising. Students select technical agriculture courses that allow them to specialize in areas of interest and to reinforce their general knowledge in agriculture.
Examples of careers in agricultural communications are communications specialist, photographer, lobbyist, editor, reporter, public relations specialist, event planner, and graphic designer. Agricultural communications majors gain hands-on experience while interning with a variety of professional communication entities, including national publications, television stations, and major agricultural events.

These degrees are also recommended for students interested in continued studies in professional schools such as law or business.

Minors. The department offers two minors for students outside the department: agricultural leadership and agricultural communication studies.

Required courses for the agricultural leadership minor are as follows:

  • AGSC 3301
  • AGED 3315, 3314 or 4308
  • nine hours from ACOM 1300, 2302, 3300; AGED 2300, 3330, 4000 (3 hours only), 4303; AGED 4309.

Required courses for the agricultural communication studies minor are the following:

  • ACOM 1300, 2302, 2305, 3300
  • JOUR 2410
  • one of ACOM 3301, 3305, or 3311.

All undergraduate students in the department are required to have a laptop computer. Specifications are posted at www.depts.ttu.edu/aged/ugrad/gen_info.php and www.depts.ttu.edu/ithelpcentral/recommend.php.

Curriculum Tables

 

Graduate Program

Master’s Programs

The department offers two Master of Science programs, one in agricultural education and one in agricultural communications. These programs may be completed with 36 hours of approved graduate courses or 30 hours of graduate courses plus 6 hours of thesis research.

The department also participates in the college’s Master of Agriculture degree, a 36-hour program. Public school teachers may have a particular interest in the Master of Agriculture degree with an agricultural education concentration and an educational leadership emphasis. Courses in this unique program count toward the 42-hour Texas Tech Principalship Professional Certification Program. Students must have at least two years of Texas Education Agency-approved experience and apply for admission into the certification program during the first semester of enrollment in the master’s program.

 

Doctoral Program

The department offers two doctoral programs to meet unique career goals and personal needs. The Doctor of Philosophy in Agricultural Communications and Education is a resident degree designed to prepare students for a career as a faculty member. The program provides an opportunity for advanced study in the human dimensions of agriculture (agricultural communications, agricultural education, and agricultural leadership) to meet the growing demand for college and university faculty who can provide instruction in more than one dimension. This degree program requires a minimum of 48 semester hours of graduate coursework along with the development of a dissertation (12 hours) beyond a master’s degree (total of 60 hours post-master’s degree).

The Doctor of Education in Agricultural Education is a unique distance-delivered degree that is awarded by both Texas Tech and Texas A&M University. Students in this program must apply for admission at both universities. Most coursework associated with this joint degree is delivered via the ITV and World Wide Web. Students in this program take a 40-hour disciplinary core, 12 hours in an area of specialization, and 12 hours of dissertation or record of study.

 

Graduate Certificate

A 12-hour Graduate Certificate in Agricultural Leadership will enable individuals working in any sector of the agricultural industry to develop an understanding of theoretical leadership principles as well as the basics of applying leadership techniques to groups in a variety of situations. Required courses include AGLS 5304, 5305, 5306, and 5307.
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Course Descriptions

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Faculty

Click here to view alphabetical listing of all TTU faculty and their academic credentials.

Steven Fraze, Ph.D., Chairperson

Professors: Akers, Baker, Briers, Doerfert, Dooley, Elliot, Fraze, Larke, Lawver, Lindner, Murphy, Shinn
Associate Professors: Boleman, Boyd, Brashears, Burris, Cummings, Elbert, Harlin, Rutherford, Vestal, Wingenbach
Assistant Professors: Irlbeck, Meyers, Murphrey, Rayfield, Ritz, Ulmer
Adjunct Faculty: Alexander, Dromgoole
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