Agricultural and Extension Education
Graduate Certificate Requirements
The Department also offers graduate certificates in Agricultural and Extension Education, Family Life Education and Coaching, Leadership in Agricultural and Human Sciences, Leadership and Volunteer Management, and Youth Development and Leadership. More information can be found on our website.
Sixth-Year Certificate
The Department offers an array of courses that are recognized by the NC Department of Public Instruction as comprising a Sixth-Year Certificate. Students are required to complete 24 hours of advanced graduate work past the Master's degree. Contact the Director of Graduate Programs for details.
Faculty
Department Head
- Ben Chapman
Directors
- Joseph Donaldson, Director of Undergraduate Programs
- Annie Hardison-Moody, Director of Graduate Programs
Full Professors
- Carolyn Bird
- Ben Chapman
- Koralalage Sunil Upali Jayaratne
- Sarah Kirby
- Travis Park
- Michael Schulman
Associate Professors
- Dara Bloom
- Jackie Bruce
- Joseph Donaldson
- Harriett Edwards
- Annie Hardison-Moody
- Wendy J. Warner
Assistant Professors
- Jamie Alexander
- Basheerah Enahora
- Maru Gonzalez
- Misty Lambert
- Katherine McKee
- Joy Morgan
- Catherine Elizabeth Sanders
- Sudha Sankar
- Virginia Stage
Adjunct Faculty
- Amber Beseli
- Mitzi Downing
- Autumn Guin
- Rhonda Sutton
Courses
Agricultural and Extension Education
Development and organization of agricultural and extension education in America from colonial times to the present. Emphasis on role of societal and scientific changes, the federal government and philosophy on evolution of agricultural and extension education.
Typically offered in Fall and Summer
Organization and operation of formal and nonformal agricultural education and extension systems in the United States and in other countries. Field trip required - cost approx. $175.00.
Typically offered in Fall only
Principles, theory and techniques of using information technologies to provide instruction to learners, both in person and at a distance, in formal and non formal educational settings.
Typically offered in Spring only
This course is intended to prepare students to be effective managers of volunteer programs. Theory will be emphasized in the course because it is essential to be grounded in theory in order to apply it. Major topics of the course will include, but are not limited to: volunteer recruitment, training, evaluation and reward. Students will be required to be active in and outside of class sessions, including a 20-hour field experience. Students must provide their own transportation for field trips and outside of class activities. Cannot receive credit for both AEE 433 and 533.
Prerequisite: Junior standing
Typically offered in Fall and Spring
Exploration of topics of special interest not covered by existing courses by individual students under faculty member's directions. Readings and independent study, problems or research not related to a thesis.
Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer
Faculty-supervised practicum in an educational, extension or agricultural industry setting.
Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer
Teaching experience under the mentorship of faculty who assist the student in planning for the teaching assignment, observe and provide feedback to the student during the teaching assignment, and evaluate the student upon completion of the assignment.
Prerequisite: Doctoral student
Typically offered in Fall and Spring
Instruction in research and research under the mentorship of a member of the Graduate faculty.
Prerequisite: Doctoral student
Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer
Dissertation research.
Prerequisite: Doctoral student
Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer
For graduate students whose programs of work specify no formal course work during a summer session and who will be devoting full time to thesis research.
Prerequisite: Doctoral student
Typically offered in Summer only
For students who have completed all credit hours, full-time enrollment, preliminary examination, and residency requirements for the doctoral degree, and are writing and defending their dissertations.
Prerequisite: Doctoral student
Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer
Agricultural Education and Human Sciences
The role and structure of modern agricultural education within the overall educational system. School organization and governance, curriculum, teacher roles and responsibilities, educational philosophy and history, multiculturalism, special need students, impact of technology, professionalism, and current educational trends and issues.
Typically offered in Summer only
Development and organization of agricultural and extension education in America from colonial times to the present. Emphasis on role of societal and scientific changes, the federal government and philosophy on evolution of agricultural and extension education.
Typically offered in Fall only
This course will critically compare and evaluate the major human development theories and their application to family life and youth development and examine the usefulness of theory in describing, explaining, predicting, or changing behavior.
Typically offered in Fall only
This course will discuss principles, theories, and techniques for organizing, administering and supervising student organization activities specific to the National FFA Organization. This course is appropriate for students preparing to become agriculture teachers or who currently are agriculture teachers.
Typically offered in Spring only
Trends and Issues in Agricultural and Extension Education. Analysis and appraisal of current trends, problems and issues in Agricultural and Extension Education. May include but not limited to scientific, political, demographic, social, educational, technological, and environmental trends and issues that will contribute to the future structure and operation of agricultural and extension education in the United States.
Typically offered in Spring only
In preparation for professional positions in family life & youth development, students will work with a faculty member or organizations to design a Masters capstone study project that aligns with their professional goals. Faculty supervision required.
Typically offered in Fall and Spring
This course is offered alternate odd years
The intent of this course is to prepare students to be effective educators in non-formal settings such as Extension education. Students will learn theoretical concepts and their application for planning an effective educational program to meet the learning needs of target audiences. Students will gain knowledge and skills in conducting needs assessments and environmental scanning; writing objectives; and designing, marketing, and delivering educational programs. This course is appropriate for students preparing for Extension education professions.
Prerequisite: Graduate standing or PBS status
Typically offered in Fall only
A major and critical element in all programs of vocational education is provision for appropriate student learning experiences in a real and simulated employment environment. Due to recent developments in education and agriculture, new and expanded concepts of occupational experience devised. Current research substantiates need and desire of teachers of agriculture for assistance in implementing new concepts. Also designed to develop depth of understanding of theoretical foundations underlying new developments in occupational experiences to stimulate individual growth and creativity in implementing further developments.
Prerequisite: Graduate standing or PBS status
Typically offered in Fall only
Designed to meet needs of adult education leaders in the food, agricultural, natural resources, and human sciences. Opportunity to study some of basic problems and values in working with adult groups. Attention given to practices and problems in Agricultural and Extension Education programs for adults as well as to methods of teaching adults.
Prerequisite: Graduate standing or PBS status
Typically offered in Spring only
Principles of program planning applied to educational programs about agriculture; theory and field experiences in planning, organizing, and evaluating secondary agricultural education programs; development of plans for conducting all aspects of the complete agricultural education programs.
R: Admission to AEE/AEHS graduate program, grad certificate, and /or LEAP (Licensure in education for Ag Professionals) subplan
Typically offered in Spring only
Applications of theories and research about interpersonal relationships and family dynamics to issues facing families over the life course, emphasizing the interplay of social, developmental and health factors in affecting change, continuity and well-being.
Prerequisite: Graduate standing
Typically offered in Fall only
This course is offered alternate even years
Design and development of data-based curriculum and curriculum evaluation procedures in agricultural and extension education. Critique of curriculum development models, contemporary trends and issues, curriculum resources and accountability tools. Analysis of the use of national and state standards, as well as local community needs in curriculum development.
Typically offered in Spring only
Family resource management theory is used to examine personal financial management concepts. Family systems and stress theories will be employed to emphasize the interconnections between families, communities, resources through topics such as personal management (decision-making, time & organizational management, stress management); human and social capital (education, skill building, health, employability, relationships); physical capital (transportation, real estate, and housing); financial management (credit and debt, budgeting, retirement issues, bankruptcy).
Prerequisite: Graduate student status or any PBS student.
Typically offered in Spring only
This course is offered alternate even years
This course will examine educational intervention strategies for family issues that pose particular difficulty for Family Life and Parenting Educators. Topics include: addictions/substance abuse; child abuse and neglect; domestic abuse; Illness, death and dying; divorce/mediation; step-families & single parenting; gang memberships, suicidal ideation, sexuality/teen pregnancy; and rape and other acts of violence. The course will include a discussion of evidence-based prevention and treatment options for referring clients, and a debate of the role of educators in this process.
R: Graduate Standing or Permission of Instructor
Typically offered in Fall only
This course is offered alternate odd years
Application of theoretical models and research on effective teaching in secondary agricultural education programs. teaching strategies, planning required, and instructional management for students with varying backgrounds. Evaluation of student learning and teacher evaluation of instruction.
Typically offered in Fall only
This course is offered alternate odd years
This course will provide students with an advanced understanding of the physiological, psychological, social and cultural aspects of sexual development throughout the lifespan. This includes, but is not limited to, emotional and psychological aspects of sexuality; gender and sexuality; reproductive health and family planning, and the intersections of sexuality and interpersonal relationships. While some cross-cultural information will be included, the main focus will be sexuality in the United States.
Typically offered in Fall only
AEHS 538 focuses on issues of social and cultural diversity, social identity, and societal manifestations of power, privilege, and oppression within the context of youth and family sciences. Using a social justice education framework, this course will critically examine and analyze social identity development, social group differences, socialization, intergroup relations, and levels and types of oppression in the United States as they relate to youth and families. Students will reflect on their own identities and learn how to work collaboratively toward inclusion, equity, and social change with youth and families.
Typically offered in Summer only
This course examines the intersections of family health and well-being and work using an interdisciplinary approach. Specifically, this course analyzes the influences of parental employment on child outcomes and parental well-being, the interaction between gender and employment on family health and well-being, as well as work-related policies and working environments on family health and well-being. Students must have completed a Bachelor's of Science. Admission to NC State graduate school or permission of instructor required.
Typically offered in Summer only
This course is offered alternate odd years
The course will include an examination of social, economic, and behavioral housing theory, historical and current housing policy and its relationship to the housing, neighborhoods and community development and an investigation of diverse populations and their housing/neighborhood concerns.
Prerequisite: Graduate standing
Typically offered in Summer only
This course is offered alternate odd years
Theoretical and empirical literature in lifespan, family life, and parent education will be explored along with implications for issues affecting families including content, delivery, and evaluation of parent education programs. Offered either face-to-face or in person via Distance Education.
Typically offered in Spring only
This course examines communication in families and integrates the coach approach to communication including identifying individual and family issues; appreciating differences; discovering purpose; practicing forgiveness; resolving conflict; conducting successful critical conversations; mending relationships; effective communication; direct and indirect communication; the art of saying no; the power of words; powerful questions; work/life balance; identifying values; stress management.
Typically offered in Summer only
This course is offered alternate odd years
YFCS 547: Family Life Coaching prepares family science practitioners to meet the growing demands of improving family life through family life and parent Coaching. This graduate-level course examines family life coaching as an approach to services for families and youth. Students will be introduced to coaching as a vital service for helping families better communicate and reach goals and will explore theoretical and empirical literature in coaching. Through practice and skill building exercises, students will learn to coach and will examine the implications for future coaching practice.
Typically offered in Fall only
Leadership is ubiquitous in our society. It remains one of the world's favorite buzz words. However, just because it's everywhere, doesn't mean everything labeled so, is leadership. This graduate course in leadership theory will require you to critically examine your ideas of leadership, and reflect on your own (and society's) notions of "what is leadership". In this class we will separate the skills you gain from going out and doing leadership (the do) and the theories that provide the foundations for leadership (the think). Many successful leaders learn their skills via practice; that is important. AEE 550, however, is a leadership education course where we study leadership theory. We will take those theories, long associated with the academic study of leadership, and deconstruct them using critical theory as our lens. Then, using the text as guide, reconstruct them in new ways to meet today's pressing challenges.
Typically offered in Fall only
This course examines the application of classic and contemporary theories and models of leadership to the work of community-based organizations. Students will examine leadership from diverse perspectives; then analyze the strengths and weaknesses of leadership theories and models when applied to organizational development of community-based systems.
Typically offered in Spring only
Historical and contemporary foundations of program development and evaluation in non-formal, community-based family life and youth development settings are examined including theory, research, and three holistic program development constructs: 1) planning; 2) design and implementation; 3) impact evaluation and accountability.
Typically offered in Spring only
This course explores the fundamental concepts of child and youth development (including early childhood through adolescence) as applied to programmatic and organizational contexts. A special focus is placed upon the concepts as applied to Community Youth theories & practice.
Typically offered in Fall only
This course will cover local food systems history, terminology, research, and model projects in North Carolina. It also includes the economics of local food systems, from basic business plans and structures to the triple bottom line, and a focus on local food value chains, including market channel assessments and value-added ventures. Emphasis is placed throughout on providing existing and aspiring Extension professionals with resources to support translation of research into practice using interdisciplinary, systems approaches.
R: Admission to the Graduate School or approval of instructor. Non-degree students (NDS PBS) are included.
Typically offered in Fall only
Preparation for current and future community-based youth and family professionals to better manage volunteers in local program service delivery. Specific foci include: volunteerism as a social phenomenon; volunteer resource management; new forms of volunteerism; and future trends in volunteerism. Restricted to graduate and post-baccalaureate students only.
Typically offered in Spring only
This course is offered alternate even years
In-depth examination of current and emerging issues and trends impacting volunteer involvement in community-based youth and family organizations to prepare current and future youth and family professionals to manage volunteers in local program delivery; examining contemporary research related to trends and issues, and evaluating historical and current social phenomena so as to understand their impact upon volunteer involvement and consider future challenges for volunteer administrators. Restricted to graduate and post-baccalaureate students only.
Typically offered in Fall only
This course is offered alternate odd years
This course is intended to prepare students to be effective members of organizations, both as team members and team leaders. Theories of organizational behavior will be emphasized in the course; in so much as it is essential to be grounded in theory in order to apply it. Major topics include: motivation, job design, managing diversity, decision making, power, ethics, and organizational design.
Typically offered in Spring only
This course is offered alternate odd years
The Community Leadership course will prepare graduate students for leadership roles within an array of community settings. The three core competencies for community leadership will be shared which include farming ideas, building and using social capital, and mobilizing resources. Tools associated with each of these competencies will be examined as well as the ways in which to apply these tools to various community situations. Leadership theories that have been learned in AEE 550 will also be discussed to show how to move from theory to practice. This is a course that will require student participation both during class sessions and outside of class where students will be engaged in a team project. The course will be offered in the spring of odd years.
Prerequisite: Graduate student status and AEE 550: Leadership Theory
Typically offered in Fall only
Processes by which professional change agents in agricultural and extension education influence the introduction, adoption, and diffusion of planned change. This course requires admission to any program of the NC State University Graduate School such as full graduate status, graduate unclassified status, post-baccalaureate studies, evening degree programs, etc. It has no other prerequisites, requisites, or restrictions.
Restriction: Graduate Standing or PBS status.
Typically offered in Spring only
Evaluation is an important part of many social science disciplines and grant projects. The intent of this course is to teach students how to plan and conduct a meaningful and useful evaluation. Students will gain knowledge and skills in planning evaluations; designing evaluation studies and evaluation instruments; collecting and analyzing data; and using evaluation results. Students will learn evaluation theoretical concepts and their application in real-life situations.
Restriction: Graduate Standing or PBS
Typically offered in Spring only
This course is offered alternate odd years
Philosophy, design, interpretation and practice of scientific research in agricultural and extension education, with a particular focus on the skills necessary to be an effective and critical "consumer" of research that is practiced within the field. Web based course.
Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer
The course emphasis is on designing research and development of research proposals for graduate research or competitive grants in agricultural and human sciences. This course involves critical analysis of research in agricultural and human sciences and proposed research. In consultation with the students' academic advisors, this research proposal may become the basis for either the graduate thesis or a graduate research article (for the non-thesis option). Students are encouraged to discuss this course with their academic advisor and the instructor to fully understand how the course fits into their graduate course of study.
P: AEHS 578 - Research Methods in Agricultural and Human Sciences; R: Students must be MS or EdD students in the Agricultural and Human Sciences Department, and they must have the permission of their advisor to enroll in this course
Typically offered in Spring and Summer
This course explores contemporary issues facing youth, family, and community professionals in the United States. Students will explore respective social, cultural, political, and/or organizational underpinnings of issues as focused in two major domains: (1) professional ethics and practice and (2) family law and public policy. Emphasis will be placed on issues affecting family life educators and their understanding of the legal issues, policies, and laws influencing the well-being of families, along with understanding the character and quality of human social conduct. This includes the ability to critically examine ethical questions and issues as they relate to professional family life education practice.
Typically offered in Spring only
Special Topics Family Life and Youth Development
Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer
Presentation of material not normally available in regular graduate course offerings or for offerings of new 500 level courses on a trial basis.
Prerequisite: Graduate standing or PBS status
Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer
Current topics and issues in agricultural and extension education. Selection and research of topics, presentation of seminars, and leading group discussions.
Prerequisite: Graduate standing or PBS status
Typically offered in Spring only
Presentation of material not normally available in regular graduate course offerings or for offerings of new 500 level courses on a trial basis.
Prerequisite: Graduate standing or PBS status
Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer
Exploration of topics of special interest not covered by existing courses by individual students under faculty member's directions. Readings and independent study, problems or research not related to a thesis.
Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer
Students engaged in independently designed study guided by specific objectives constructed under the supervision of a faculty member.
Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer
Faculty-supervised practicum in an educational, extension or agricultural industry setting.
Typically offered in Spring only
Teaching experience under the mentorship of faculty who assist the student in planning for the teaching assignment, observe and provide feedback to the student during the teaching assignment, and evaluate the student upon completion of the assignment.
Prerequisite: Master's student
Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer
For students in non-thesis master's programs who have completed all other requirements of the degree except preparing for and taking the final master's exam.
Prerequisite: Master's student
Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer
Instruction in research and research under the mentorship of a member of the Graduate Faculty.
Prerequisite: Master's student
Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer
Thesis research
Prerequisite: Master's student
Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer
For graduate students whose programs of work specify no formal course work during a summer session and who will be devoting full time to thesis research.
Prerequisite: Master's student
Typically offered in Summer only
For students who have completed all credit hour requirements and full-time enrollment for the master's degree and are writing and defending their thesis.
Prerequisite: Master's student
Typically offered in Fall, Spring, and Summer
In Foundations of Agricultural and Human Sciences, students will explore the intersection of Agricultural and Human Sciences and answer two questions: how does family impact agriculture and how does agriculture impact family. Students will explore the history of the Land Grant system and learn about the three pillars: Extension, Research, and Teaching. Students will explore the importance of translational research and getting science into the hands of individuals within communities. Students will learn the functions of family systems and explore the human impacts on agriculture as well as environmental influences on youth and families. Finally, students will explore ways of meeting the grand challenges of agricultural and human sciences.
P: Graduate Standing
Typically offered in Fall only
This course provides an opportunity to learn about global agricultural and extension education issues, challenges and opportunities relating to agricultural development. The course emphasis is on building necessary knowledge and skills for analyzing global agricultural and extension education issues and formulating alternatives for agricultural development. This course has been designed to help graduate students understand agriculture and extension education with a global perspective.
Restriction: Graduate Standing or PBS
Typically offered in Fall only
Theory and practice of effective teaching in agricultural and life sciences. Emphasis on course planning, teaching and learning styles, instructional techniques, laboratory instruction, text construction, student evaluation, instructional technology, and faculty roles and responsibilities.
Prerequisite: Graduate standing
Typically offered in Fall only
Qualitative research methods continue to gain popularity in the disciplines of agricultural & life sciences. It is becoming increasingly important for graduates to have a practical working knowledge of the development, implementation, and evaluation of these methodologies. Topics in the course will include but not be limited to: the foundation of qualitative research, data collection and analysis techniques, and review of qualitative research. Students are encouraged to have completed an introductory research methods course prior to enrolling. Introductory Research Methods course taken at the graduate level.
Typically offered in Fall only
This course is offered alternate odd years
This course will examine the richness and diversity of scholarship in agricultural and human sciences and its applications to professional practice in a colloquium setting. A primary purpose is to build capacities for individual, professional, and civic work as students apply their learning to develop scholarship and professionalism. The course explores advanced topics and research methods and supports students in presenting and defending their research and research proposals. In successive fall semesters, graduate students participate in three, one-credit colloquia that engage faculty and students from across the Department of Agricultural and Human Sciences. This course requires admission to any program of the NC State University Graduate School such as full graduate status, graduate unclassified status, post-baccalaureate studies, evening degree programs, etc.
Typically offered in Fall only