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Agricultural Education provides students with an opportunity to gain a broad understanding and professional preparation in the areas of animal science, plant and soil sciences, food science, engineering technology, entomology and wildlife conservation, resource economics, agribusiness, natural resource management, and biotechnology. Students develop and practice their leadership skills through participation in FFA activities and other student organizations. Majors take a variety of courses to develop their technical knowledge and prepare them for teacher certification. The curriculum is divided into four components, designed to give students both breadth and depth in their program. The Professional Development area includes courses in education and teaching methods, as well as the student-teaching experience. To ensure that students are specialists in their respective field of study, thirty credits in Technical courses are also required. General Education courses include selections in mathematics, English, communications, physical science, literature and arts, and social sciences and humanities. Finally, there is room for free electives, which many students use to pursue outside interests, a minor, or even a double major in another area of interest. Successful completion of the program positions students for possible certification by the Delaware Department of Public Instruction. (Certification requirements vary by state; students should check with individual states for specifics.)
AREA OF EMPHASIS AT DELAWARE
The major provides the pedagogical skills that give the student a pragmatic hands-on program that uses an investigative, scientific, design-and-construct, and problem-solving approach to teaching. The curriculum is designed to allow students to teach in both the classroom and laboratory setting using modern technology and techniques. The curriculum in this major is arranged individually with the liaison professor in Agricultural Education. Because of the program’s flexibility, students may take a range of courses across departments, opening up mentorship opportunities and research partnerships with students and faculty in lots of areas. During the student-teaching experience, both a faculty member and a supervising teacher guide and evaluate the student regularly, making the transition from student to teacher a rewarding experience. Many local agriscience programs--run by UD alumni--offer excellent opportunities for observation and student teaching experiences.
