Pre-agricultural Education
Pre-agricultural education majors pursue an Associate of Science degree
which enables them to complete the first half of a major in agricultural
education in a Bachelor of Science degree program at The Ohio State
University.
This degree also includes the transfer module, a common set of courses
which apply to other bachelor's degree programs in Ohio.
Other options prepare students for extension work as 4-H agents or program
assistants and in agribusiness education and training.
Career Opportunities in Agricultural Education
Agricultural education graduates have many career options. A few of
the possibilities include: high school teacher of agriculture or horticulture;
two- or four-year agriculture college instructor; agricultural extension
agent; 4-H agent; farm business planning and analysis instructor; adult
education instructor; agriculture organization personnel trainer; farm
manager; sales consultant; sales representative; and public relations
specialist.
Salary Trends
Beginning salaries for agricultural education graduates range from $24,500
to $34,000 per year, depending upon the position, candidates' skills,
and other factors determined by employers.
High School Preparation
Students pursuing the Associate of Science program must complete the
following high school curriculum in order to be admitted to the program
without conditions: four units of English; three units of mathematics;
two units of natural science; two units of social science; two units
of the same foreign language; one unit of visual or performing arts;
and one additional unit from any of the above categories.
Applicants to the Associate of Science program in pre-agricultural education
who have not followed this curriculum will have conditions placed on
their enrollment. These conditions must be satisfied by earning college
course credits in the high school subject areas in which the students
are deficient.
How to Major in Pre-agricultural Education
Students seeking an Associate of Science degree in Pre-agricultural
Education at The Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute
enter directly into the program upon completion of their admission requirements.
All applicants are strongly advised to arrange a pre-admission conference
with a faculty member in the pre-agricultural education program in order
to acquaint themselves with the various aspects of this major.
General Degree Requirements
With the Associate of Science degree, pre-agricultural education majors
complete a combination of technical and general courses that allow them
to gain hands-on experience while completing 50 percent of the curriculum
for a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture degree in the College of Food,
Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences.
When students complete this curriculum, they will be able to apply 100
percent of their Ohio State ATI credits toward a degree at the Columbus
campus of The Ohio State University.
Students must complete a minimum of 102 quarter credit hours of technical
and general studies courses, with a cumulative point-hour ratio of 2.00
or above, to earn the Associate of Science degree in pre-agricultural
education. A minimum of 45 quarter credit hours must be earned through
regular course work at the institute.
Technical courses emphasize principles of animal nutrition, soil management,
crop production, turf practices, greenhouse control, and hydraulic and
electronic systems, depending upon the students' choice in specialization.
A minimum of 33 quarter credit hours are required in technical courses.
Pre-agricultural education students also complete 55 credit hours of
general studies which include communications, social sciences, mathematics,
and biological and chemical sciences. Fourteen credit hours of electives,
either technical or general, round out the curriculum.
Students in the pre-agricultural education program do not complete an
internship while attending Ohio State ATI. Students complete two field-based
experiences in the schools, in extension or in agribusiness, depending
upon their chosen area of emphasis. As part of the curriculum, students
participate in an early experience, which allows them to "try on"
the role of an agricultural educator. Once they transfer to the Columbus
campus of The Ohio State University, students complete a full quarter
of student teaching, during which they apply what they have learned
in a classroom setting.
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