Agricultural Education (BS): Natural Resources Concentration
The Agricultural Education major within the Department of Agricultural and Human Sciences prepares graduates to teach agriculture, serve as FFA advisors, and supervise agricultural experiences (SAE) in public and private schools.听
The Natural Resources concentration is one of seven concentrations offered for the Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Education.
- Students interested in Agricultural Education may be eligible to apply for the North Carolina Teaching Fellows Program at NC State.
- Student teachers of agriculture may apply for Ed Scholars through NC State.
- Many alumni听pursue careers in middle and high schools, universities and community colleges, county extension offices, and in the agricultural industry
Teacher Licensure
Completion of the B.S. program in Agricultural Education leads to teacher licensure in North Carolina for grades 6-12. Because of North Carolina鈥檚 reciprocity agreements, graduates also can pursue certification in about 35 states. Download the听听to review the requirements for admissions to teacher education candidacy and help you stay on course.
For more information about this program, including contact information, visit our听.
Contact
Dr. Joseph L. Donaldson
Director of Undergraduate Programs, Agricultural and Human Sciences
919.515.1758
joseph_donaldson@ncsu.edu听
Dr. Travis Park
Program Coordinator, Agricultural Education
919.515.9441
tdpark@ncsu.edu听
Plan Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Orientation | ||
| AEE听103 | Fundamentals of Agricultural and Extension Education | 1 |
| or听ALS听103 | First-year Success in Agriculture and Life Sciences | |
| or听ALS听303 | Transfer Success in Agriculture and Life Sciences | |
| Writing and Speaking | ||
| COM听110 | Public Speaking | 3 |
| Sciences | ||
| BIO听181 | Introductory Biology: Ecology, Evolution, and Biodiversity | 4 |
| BIO听183 | Introductory Biology: Cellular and Molecular Biology | 4 |
| CH听101 &听CH听102 | Chemistry - A Molecular Science and General Chemistry Laboratory | 4 |
| Agricultural Education | ||
| AEE听101 | Introduction to Career and Technical Education 1 | 1 |
| AEE听206 | Introduction to Teaching Agriculture 1 | 3 |
| AEE听226 | Computer Applications and Information Technology in Agricultural & Extension Ed 1 | 3 |
| AEE听303 | Administration and Supervision of Student Organizations 1 | 3 |
| AEE听322 | Experiential Learning in Agriculture 1 | 3 |
| AEE听326 | Teaching Diverse Learners in AED 1 | 3 |
| AEE听327 | Conducting Summer Programs in Agricultural Education 1 | 1 |
| AEE听424 | Planning Agricultural Educational Programs 1 | 3 |
| AEE听426 | Methods of Teaching Agriculture 1 | 3 |
| AEE听427 | Student Teaching in Agriculture 1 | 8 |
| AEE听491 | Seminar in Agricultural Education 1 | 1 |
| Other Professional Education | ||
| EDP听304 | Educational Psychology 1 | 3 |
| ELP听344 | School and Society 1 | 3 |
| ED听311 | Classroom Assessment Principles and Practices 1 | 2 |
| ED听312 | Classroom Assessment Principles and Practices Professional Learning Lab 1 | 1 |
| Teaching Content Courses | ||
| BAET听201 | Shop Processes and Management | 3 |
| or听TDE听110 | Materials & Processes Technology | |
| ANS听150 &听ANS听151 | Introduction to Animal Science and Introduction to Animal Science Lab | 4 |
| Agriculture Elective | 5 | |
| Select one of the following Economics Courses: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Agricultural & Resource Economics | ||
| Introduction to Agricultural & Resource Economics | ||
| Principles of Microeconomics | ||
| Fundamentals of Economics | ||
| Natural Resources Concentration | ||
| ARE听336 | Introduction to Resource and Environmental Economics | 3 |
| CS听230 | Introduction to Agroecology | 3 |
| FOR听252 | Introduction to Forest Science | 3 |
| FW听221 | Conservation of Natural Resources | 3 |
| FW听353 | Wildlife Management | 3 |
| SSC听185 | Land and Life | 3 |
| SSC听200 &听SSC听201 | Soil Science and Soil Science Laboratory | 4 |
| GEP Courses In The Major | ||
| ENG听101 | Academic Writing and Research 1 | 4 |
| GEP Humanities | 6 | |
| GEP Mathematical Sciences | 6 | |
| GEP Health and Exercise Studies | 1 | |
| GEP Health and Exercise Studies | 1 | |
| GEP Elective | 3 | |
| GEP Global Knowledge (verify requirement) | ||
| GEP Foundations of American Democracy (verify requirement) | ||
| World Language Proficiency (verify requirement) | ||
| Free Electives | ||
| Free Electives (12 Hr S/U Lmt) 2 | 5 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
- 1
A minimum grade of C is required for听teacher听licensure.听A minimum grade of C- is required for听graduation.
- 2
Students should consult their academic advisors to determine which courses fill this requirement.
Agriculture Electives
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Agriculture Elective | ||
| ARE听215 | Small Business Accounting | 3 |
| ARE听260 | Marketing and Risk Management in the Pork Industry | 1 |
| ARE听270 | Principles of Agribusiness Entrepreneurship | 3 |
| ARE听295 | Special Topics in Agricultural & Resource Economics (200 Level) | 1-6 |
| ARE听301 | Intermediate Microeconomics | 3 |
| ARE听303 | Farm Management | 3 |
| ARE听304 | Agribusiness Management | 3 |
| ARE听306 | Agricultural Law | 3 |
| ARE听309 | Environmental Law & Economic Policy | 3 |
| ARE听311 | Agricultural Markets | 3 |
| ARE听312 | Agribusiness Marketing | 3 |
| ARE听321 | Agricultural Financial Management | 3 |
| ARE听323 | Agribusiness Finance | 3 |
| ARE听332 | Human Resource Management for Agribusiness | 3 |
| ARE听336 | Introduction to Resource and Environmental Economics | 3 |
| ARE听345 | Global Agribusiness Management | 3 |
| ARE听370 | Agribusiness New Venture Development | 3 |
| ARE听395 | Special Topics in Agricultural and Resource Economics (300 level) | 1-6 |
| ARE听404 | Advanced Agribusiness Management | 3 |
| ARE听412 | Advanced Agribusiness Marketing | 3 |
| ARE听413 | Applied Agribusiness Marketing | 3 |
| ARE听415 | Introduction to Commodity Futures Markets | 3 |
| ARE听420 | Taxation in Agriculture, Production, and Agribusiness | 3 |
| ARE听425 | Contracts and Organizations in Agriculture | 3 |
| ARE听433 | U.S. Agricultural Policy | 3 |
| ARE听444 | Ethics in Agribusiness | 3 |
| ARE听448 | International Agricultural Trade | 3 |
| ARE听455 | Agribusiness Analytics | 3 |
| ARE听470 | Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Clinical Skills Development | 3 |
| ARE听475 | Food Policy | 3 |
| ARE听490 | Career Seminar in Agriculture & Resource Economics | 1 |
| ARE听492 | External Learning Experience | 1-6 |
| ARE听493 | Special Problems/Research Exploration | 1-6 |
| ARE听494 | Agribusiness Study Abroad | 1-6 |
| ARE听495 | Special Topics in Agricultural and Resource Economics | 1-6 |
| EC听301 | Intermediate Microeconomics | 3 |
| EC听336 | Introduction to Resource and Environmental Economics | 3 |
| Group C - Applied Sci & Tech | ||
| ANS听105 | Introduction to Companion Animal Science | 3 |
| ANS听110 | Introduction to Equine Science | 3 |
| ANS听150 | Introduction to Animal Science | 3 |
| ANS听151 | Introduction to Animal Science Lab | 1 |
| ANS听201 | Techniques of Animal Care | 2 |
| ANS听208 | Agricultural Biotechnology: Issues and Implications | 3 |
| ANS听225 | Principles of Animal Nutrition | 3 |
| ANS听303 | Principles of Equine Evaluation | 2 |
| ANS听304 | Dairy Cattle Evaluation | 2 |
| ANS听309 | Livestock Evaluation | 3 |
| ANS听322 | Muscle Foods and Eggs | 3 |
| ANS听324 | Milk and Dairy Products | 3 |
| ANS听400 | Companion Animal Management | 3 |
| ANS听402 | Beef Cattle Management | 3 |
| ANS听403 | Swine Management | 3 |
| ANS听404 | Dairy Cattle Management | 3 |
| ANS听408 | Small Ruminant Management | 3 |
| ANS听410 | Equine Breeding Farm Management | 3 |
| ANS听425 | Feed Manufacturing Technology | 3 |
| ANS听440 | Animal Genetic Improvement | 3 |
| ANS听453 | Physiology and Genetics of Growth and Development | 3 |
| ANS听454 | Lactation, Milk and Nutrition | 3 |
| BAE听100 | Introduction to Biological and Agricultural Engineering and Technology | 1 |
| BAE听202 | Introduction to Biological and Agricultural Engineering Methods | 4 |
| BAE听302 | Transport Phenomena | 3 |
| BAE听322 | Introduction to Food Process Engineering | 3 |
| BAE听361 | Analytical Methods in Engineering Design | 3 |
| BAE听371 | Fundamentals of Hydrology for Engineers | 3 |
| BAE听401 | Sensors and Controls | 3 |
| BAE听435 | Precision Agriculture Technology | 3 |
| BAE听451 | Engineering Design I | 2 |
| BAE听452 | Engineering Design II | 2 |
| BAE听462 | Machinery Design and Applications | 3 |
| BAE听472 | Irrigation and Drainage | 3 |
| BAE听473 | Introduction to Hydrologic and Water Quality Modeling | 3 |
| BAE听474 | Principles and Applications of Ecological Engineering | 3 |
| BAE听481 | Structures & Environment | 3 |
| BAET听201 | Shop Processes and Management | 3 |
| BAET听323 | Water Management | 3 |
| BAET听332 | Management of Animal Environments | 4 |
| BAET听333 | Processing Agricultural Products | 3 |
| BAET听343 | Agricultural Electrification | 4 |
| BAET听411 | Agricultural Machinery and Power Units | 4 |
| BAET听432 | Agricultural and Environmental Safety and Health | 3 |
| BAET听443 | Environmental Restoration Implementation | 3 |
| CS听470 | Advanced Turfgrass Pest Management | 2 |
| ENT听470 | Advanced Turfgrass Pest Management | 2 |
| FM听425 | Feed Manufacturing Technology | 3 |
| FS听322 | Muscle Foods and Eggs | 3 |
| FS听324 | Milk and Dairy Products | 3 |
| FS听435 | Food Safety Management Systems | 3 |
| NTR听425 | Feed Manufacturing Technology | 3 |
| NTR听454 | Lactation, Milk and Nutrition | 3 |
| PB听208 | Agricultural Biotechnology: Issues and Implications | 3 |
| PO听322 | Muscle Foods and Eggs | 3 |
| BME听365 | Linear Systems in Biomedical Engineering | 3 |
| PO听425 | Feed Manufacturing Technology | 3 |
| PP听470 | Advanced Turfgrass Pest Management | 2 |
| SSC听440 | Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in Soil Science and Agriculture | 3 |
| SSC听473 | Introduction to Hydrologic and Water Quality Modeling | 3 |
| Group C - Applied Sci & Tech | ||
| AEC听420 | Introduction to Fisheries Science | 3 |
| ANS听322 | Muscle Foods and Eggs | 3 |
| ANS听324 | Milk and Dairy Products | 3 |
| ANS听330 | Laboratory Animal Science | 3 |
| ANS听411 | Management of Growing and Performance Horses | 3 |
| ANS听425 | Feed Manufacturing Technology | 3 |
| BAE听325 | Introductory Geomatics | 3 |
| BAE听425 | Industrial Microbiology and Bioprocessing | 3 |
| BAE听435 | Precision Agriculture Technology | 3 |
| BBS听201 | Introduction to Biopharmaceutical Science | 3 |
| BCH听220 | Role of Biotechnology in Society | 3 |
| CS听200 | Introduction to Turfgrass Management | 4 |
| CS听210 | Lawns and Sports Turf | 3 |
| CS听213 | Crop Science | 3 |
| CS听216 | Southern Row Crop Production - Cotton, Peanuts, and Tobacco | 3 |
| CS听218 | Southern Row Crop Production - Corn, Small Grains and Soybeans | 3 |
| CS听230 | Introduction to Agroecology | 3 |
| CS听400 | Turf Cultural Systems | 3 |
| CS听413 | Plant Breeding | 3 |
| CS听414 | Weed Science | 4 |
| CS听415 | Integrated Pest Management | 3 |
| CS听424 | Seed Physiology | 3 |
| CS听430 | Advanced Agroecology | 4 |
| CS听465 | Turf Management Systems and Environmental Quality | 3 |
| ENT听203 | An Introduction to the Honey Bee and Beekeeping | 3 |
| ENT听401 | Honey Bee Biology and Management | 3 |
| ES听100 | Introduction to Environmental Sciences | 3 |
| ES听200 | Climate Change and Sustainability | 3 |
| ES听300 | Energy and Environment | 3 |
| ES听400 | Analysis of Environmental Issues | 3 |
| FM听425 | Feed Manufacturing Technology | 3 |
| FM听460 | Feed Mill Operations and Leadership | 3 |
| FM听480 | Feed Quality Assurance & Formulation | 3 |
| FOR听318 | Forest Pathology | 3 |
| FOR听420 | Watershed and Wetlands Hydrology | 4 |
| FOR听472 | Forest Soils | 4 |
| FS听201 | Introduction to Food Science | 3 |
| FS听322 | Muscle Foods and Eggs | 3 |
| FS听324 | Milk and Dairy Products | 3 |
| FS听330 | Science of Food Preparation | 3 |
| FS听352 | Introduction to Microbiological Food Safety Hazards | 3 |
| FS听354 | Food Sanitation | 3 |
| FS听416 | Quality Control in Food and Bioprocessing | 3 |
| FS听421 | Food Preservation | 3 |
| FS听426 | Upstream Biomanufacturing Laboratory | 2 |
| FS听435 | Food Safety Management Systems | 3 |
| FS听453 | Food Laws and Regulations | 3 |
| FS听462 | Postharvest Physiology | 3 |
| FS听475 | Problems and Design in Food and Bioprocessing Science | 4 |
| FW听221 | Conservation of Natural Resources | 3 |
| FW听311 | Piedmont Wildlife Ecology and Management | 3 |
| FW听312 | Fisheries Techniques and Management | 1 |
| FW听313 | Mountain Wildlife Ecology and Management | 1 |
| FW听314 | Coastal Ecology and Management | 1 |
| FW听353 | Wildlife Management | 3 |
| FW听403 | Urban Wildlife Management | 3 |
| FW听411 | Human Dimensions of Wildlife and Fisheries | 3 |
| FW听453 | Principles of Wildlife Science | 4 |
| FW听460 | International Wildlife Management and Conservation | 3 |
| FW听465 | African Ecology and Conservation | 4 |
| HS听432 | Introduction to Permaculture | 3 |
| HS听462 | Postharvest Physiology | 3 |
| IDS听303 | Humans and the Environment | 3 |
| NR听303 | Humans and the Environment | 3 |
| NR听350 | International Sustainable Resource Use | 4 |
| NR听406 | Conservation of Biological Diversity | 3 |
| NR听420 | Watershed and Wetlands Hydrology | 4 |
| NR听460 | Renewable Natural Resource Management and Policy | 3 |
| NTR听425 | Feed Manufacturing Technology | 3 |
| NTR听525 | Feed Manufacturing Technology | 3 |
| PO听322 | Muscle Foods and Eggs | 3 |
| PO听424 | Poultry Meat Production | 3 |
| PO听425 | Feed Manufacturing Technology | 3 |
| PO听435 | Poultry Incubation & Breeding | 4 |
| PP听318 | Forest Pathology | 3 |
| SSC听440 | Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in Soil Science and Agriculture | 3 |
| SSC听462 | Soil-Crop Management Systems | 3 |
| TE听466 | Polymeric Biomaterials Engineering | 3 |
| TE听467 | Mechanics of Tissues & Implants Requirements | 3 |
| VMP听401 | Poultry Diseases | 4 |
| VMP听420 | Disease of Farm Animals | 3 |
Semester Sequence
This is a sample.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Hours | |
| AEE听101 | Introduction to Career and Technical Education 1 | 1 |
| AEE听103 | Fundamentals of Agricultural and Extension Education 2 | 1 |
| BIO听181 | Introductory Biology: Ecology, Evolution, and Biodiversity | 4 |
| COM听110 | Public Speaking | 3 |
| ENG听101 | Academic Writing and Research | 4 |
| GEP Mathematical Sciences | 3 | |
| GEP Health and Exercise Studies | 1 | |
| 听 | Hours | 17 |
| Spring Semester | ||
| AEE听226 | Computer Applications and Information Technology in Agricultural & Extension Ed 1 | 3 |
| ANS听150 &听ANS听151 | Introduction to Animal Science and Introduction to Animal Science Lab | 4 |
| BIO听183 | Introductory Biology: Cellular and Molecular Biology | 4 |
| GEP Mathematical Sciences | 3 | |
| GEP Health and Exercise Studies | 1 | |
| 听 | Hours | 15 |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| AEE听206 | Introduction to Teaching Agriculture 1 | 3 |
| CS听230 | Introduction to Agroecology | 3 |
| BAET听201 or TDE听110 | Shop Processes and Management or Materials & Processes Technology | 3 |
| FW听221 | Conservation of Natural Resources | 3 |
| Economics Elective | 3 | |
| 听 | Hours | 15 |
| Spring Semester | ||
| CH听101 &听CH听102 | Chemistry - A Molecular Science and General Chemistry Laboratory | 4 |
| FOR听252 | Introduction to Forest Science | 3 |
| SSC听185 | Land and Life | 3 |
| GEP Elective | 3 | |
| 听 | Hours | 13 |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| AEE听322 | Experiential Learning in Agriculture 1 | 3 |
| ARE听336 | Introduction to Resource and Environmental Economics | 3 |
| EDP听304 | Educational Psychology 1 | 3 |
| SSC听200 &听SSC听201 | Soil Science and Soil Science Laboratory | 4 |
| Agriculture Elective | 5 | |
| 听 | Hours | 18 |
| Spring Semester | ||
| AEE听303 | Administration and Supervision of Student Organizations 1 | 3 |
| AEE听326 | Teaching Diverse Learners in AED 1 | 3 |
| ED听311 | Classroom Assessment Principles and Practices 1 | 2 |
| ED听312 | Classroom Assessment Principles and Practices Professional Learning Lab 1 | 1 |
| ELP听344 | School and Society 1 | 3 |
| GEP Humanities | 3 | |
| 听 | Hours | 15 |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| AEE听327 | Conducting Summer Programs in Agricultural Education 1 | 1 |
| AEE听426 | Methods of Teaching Agriculture 1 | 3 |
| FW听353 | Wildlife Management | 3 |
| GEP Humanities | 3 | |
| Free Electives 3 | 5 | |
| 听 | Hours | 15 |
| Spring Semester | ||
| AEE听424 | Planning Agricultural Educational Programs 1 | 3 |
| AEE听427 | Student Teaching in Agriculture 1 | 8 |
| AEE听491 | Seminar in Agricultural Education 1 | 1 |
| 听 | Hours | 12 |
| 听 | Total Hours | 120 |
- 1
A minimum grade of C is required for听teacher听licensure.听A minimum grade of C- is required for听graduation.
- 2
Incoming freshmen complete AEE听103 Fundamentals of Agricultural and Extension Education. Transfer students may complete ALS听103 First-year Success in Agriculture and Life Sciences or ALS听303 Transfer Success in Agriculture and Life Sciences.
- 3
Total hours of free electives vary in order to allow the minimum hours required for the degree to equal 120 credit hrs.
Career Opportunities
The Agricultural Business Management Program prepares graduates for careers in management, marketing, sales, finance, supply chain, entrepreneurship, and related fields. The program has sufficient flexibility to provide more extensive course work in science and math for those students desiring to prepare for advanced graduate study. The concentration in biological sciences prepares graduates for management, marketing, and sales careers in fields such as biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, health care, environmental protection, and food processing. Graduates specializing in agribusiness entrepreneurship are trained in value creation and prepared to address the strong demand in agtech, biotech, and foodtech.
Career Titles
- Agricultural Inspector
- Agricultural Technician
- Aquaculture Specialist
- Bank and Branch Managers
- Buyer
- Farm and Ranch Manager
- Farm Management Advisor
- Farm Product Buyer
- Farm Products Purchasing Agent
- Farmers and Ranchers
- Financial Analyst
- Food & Drug Inspector
- Greenhouse and Nursery Manager
- Insurance Agent
- Loan Officer
- Market Research Analyst
- Purchasing Manager
- Real Estate Broker
- Sales Representative (Agricultural Products)
- Winemaker / Vinter
Learn More About Careers
Explore North Carolina鈥檚 central online resource for students, parents, educators, job seekers and career counselors looking for high quality job and career information.
Browse the Occupational Outlook Handbook published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics to view state and area employment and wage statistics. You can also identify and compare similar occupations based on your interests.
View videos that provide career details and information on wages, employment trends, skills needed, and more for any occupation. Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor.
(NC State student email address required)
This career, major and education planning system is available to current NC State students to learn about how your values, interests, competencies, and personality fit into the NC State majors and your future career. An NC State email address is required to create an account. Make an appointment with your to discuss the results.
(Available to prospective students)
A career assessment tool designed to support prospective students in exploring and choosing the right major and career path based on your unique personality, interests, skills and values. Get started with Focus 2 Apply and see how it can guide your journey at NC State.