Get started with MU
Apply hereOverview
A master’s degree in agricultural education from MU can help you develop your leadership skills and prepare for a role in the public sector or industry. If you want to advance your career in agricultural or extension education, communication or informal adult education, this may be the degree for you.
Quick facts
Official name
Master of science in agricultural leadership, communication and educationCampus
Program type
Master's degreeAcademic home
College of Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources | Division of Applied Social SciencesDelivery mode
100% onlineAccreditation
Higher Learning CommissionCredit hours
30Estimated cost
$18,300.00*This cost is for illustrative purposes only. Your hours and costs will differ, depending on your transfer hours, your course choices and your academic progress. See more about tuition and financial aid.
Career prospects
This degree has potential benefits for
- Classroom or extension educators in agriculture or the environment
- Communications or public relations professionals
- International agricultural development specialists
- Program managers or producers
- Sales professionals
- Youth specialists
Program structure
Delivery of this program is 100 percent online: no campus visits are required.
Courses are semester-based and offered by multiple universities taking part in the Innovative Digital Education Alliance (IDEA) consortium. Depending on which university is teaching your course that semester, your courses may have different start and finish dates.
Students typically take two classes each semester session and finish the program in less than three years.
Course work covers
- Leadership theory
- Advanced teaching methods
- Evaluating educational programs
- Research methods and design
- Technical communication
- Adult education
Delivery
100% onlineCalendar system
Semester-basedTypical program length
Less than 3 yearsTypical course load
2 classes per semesterAccreditation
The University of Missouri is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, one of six regional institutional accreditors in the United States.
Innovative Digital Education Alliance (IDEA)
IDEA is a consortium of 20 renowned public universities from across the United States, offering online degree and certificate programs in human sciences and agriculture. Students apply to and are admitted by one university, enroll in all of their courses through that university and graduate from that university. However, the online courses are taught by faculty in the discipline from several universities.
Faculty spotlight
Jon Simonsen is a professor in the Division of Applied Social Sciences and serves as the program chair for agricultural education. Dr. Simonsen’s areas of teaching include leadership, methods of teaching and teacher preparation. His research focuses on the teaching and learning within leadership education. Dr. Simonsen earned a doctorate in agricultural and extension education from The Ohio State University.
Rebecca Mott is an assistant professor in the Division of Applied Social Sciences and serves as director of graduate studies in agricultural education. Dr. Mott’s areas of teaching include qualitative research methods, program development and evaluation and youth leadership development. Her research focuses on highlighting perspectives of those in agriculture that are frequently overlooked using qualitative methodologies. Dr. Mott earned a doctorate in agricultural education from the University of Missouri.
Jon Tummons is an associate professor in the Division of Applied Social Sciences and serves as the director of undergraduate studies for agricultural education. Dr. Tummons teaches classes in social science research methods, methods of teaching, laboratory management, program management, teacher professional development and leadership. His research focuses on mentoring interns and early-career agriculture professionals. Dr. Simonsen earned a doctorate in agricultural education from the University of Missouri.