What you'll learn as an Agricultural Education major at UW-Platteville
The primary purpose of the Agricultural Education program at UW-Platteville is to prepare graduates for entry-level positions as high school agriculture teachers. Graduates are licensed to teach agriculture in Wisconsin high schools. Teaching licenses can also be obtained in other states, particularly neighboring states of Illinois and Iowa. You can also seek employment as youth educators in the County Extension Service, as company trainers, or in any other field of agriculture.
Our agricultural education major also features a dual licensure emphasis combined with technology engineering education. Graduates who are licensed in both agricultural education and technology engineering education are highly sought after by schools with both programs, as these teachers can move from one program to the other or teach a combined load of classes in both programs.
A non-licensure emphasis in agricultural education is for students who want a general agriculture program but do not want to teach immediately upon graduation. These graduates can find employment in almost any area of agriculture. They can also return later to gain their teaching license.
As one of two universities in Wisconsin that offers a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture Education, our program includes a selection of courses from all areas of agriculture and instruction in teaching methods. We provide a broad-based background of agriculture enabling you to teach in industry, continue to a master’s degree, or work in other areas of agriculture.
Our School of Agriculture offers agricultural education majors opportunities to acquire leadership skills through several organizations including Agricultural Education Society. Study abroad opportunities in several countries are available through short-term faculty-led experiences as well as semester-long experiences. Internships provide opportunities to learn more about agriculture while earning money.
Agricultural education teachers are in high demand in Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, as well as throughout the United States. The demand for technology engineering education is also high. As a result, our employment rate is excellent. Any graduate willing to seek a teaching position in a broad geographical area has been able to secure a position.
To learn more about the program, review the fact sheet.
Careers in Agricultural Education
The agricultural industry is thriving, relying on workers in farm environments as well as distribution and retail settings. Farms and businesses need entry-level workers who are well-prepared for careers in the field. This, in turn, drives demand for qualified education professionals. This major field of study may be the perfect choice if you are passionate about agriculture and education. Earning this degree will prepare you to teach agriculture or agricultural science at the secondary- or post-secondary level.
While many people who choose this major find career satisfaction as classroom educators, there are other potential roles you could pursue after graduation. These include:
- High school agricultural sciences teacher
- College/University agricultural sciences professor
- Agricultural program coordinator
- Crop consultant
- Young farmer instructor
- Agriculture camp director
- Agricultural sales leader
- Farm manager
Most people who pursue agricultural science education degrees work for high schools, colleges, universities, and professional schools; however, there are also opportunities to work for state government agencies, as well as public and private businesses.
Discover by doing
At UW-Platteville, students learn in the classroom as well as through numerous experiential learning opportunities, such as research projects, internships, and university events designed to prepare graduates for success as educators in the agricultural field.
