University Catalog 2024-2025

Agricultural Education (BS): Agricultural Business 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. 

The Agricultural Business concentration is one of seven concentrations offered for the Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Education.

  • New 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 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’s reciprocity agreements, graduates also can pursue certification in about 35+ states. Download the Teacher Licensure Checklist to review the requirements for admissions to teacher education candidacy and help you stay on course.

For more information about this program, visit our website.

Contact

Dr. Joseph L. Donaldson
Director of Undergraduate Programs, Agricultural and Human Sciences
919.515.1758
joseph_donaldson@ncsu.edu 

Dr. Travis Park
Program Coordinator, Ag Education
919.515.9441
tdpark@ncsu.edu 

Plan Requirements

Orientation
AEE 103Fundamentals of Agricultural and Extension Education1
or ALS 103 Freshman Transitions and Diversity in Agriculture & Life Sciences
or ALS 303 Transfer Transitions and Diversity in Agriculture & Life Sciences
Communication
COM 110Public Speaking3
Sciences
BIO 181Introductory Biology: Ecology, Evolution, and Biodiversity4
BIO 183Introductory Biology: Cellular and Molecular Biology4
CH 101
CH 102
Chemistry - A Molecular Science
and General Chemistry Laboratory
4
Agricultural Education
AEE 101Introduction to Career and Technical Education 11
AEE 206Introduction to Teaching Agriculture 13
AEE 226Computer Applications and Information Technology in Agricultural & Extension Ed 13
AEE 303Administration and Supervision of Student Organizations 13
AEE 322Experiential Learning in Agriculture 13
AEE 326Teaching Diverse Learners in AED 13
AEE 327Conducting Summer Programs in Agricultural Education1
AEE 424Planning Agricultural Educational Programs 13
AEE 426Methods of Teaching Agriculture 13
AEE 427Student Teaching in Agriculture 18
AEE 491Seminar in Agricultural Education1
Teaching Content Courses
BAET 201Shop Processes and Management3
or TDE 110 Materials & Processes Technology
Plant Science Elective3
ANS 150
ANS 151
Introduction to Animal Science
and Introduction to Animal Science Lab
4
SSC 200
SSC 201
Soil Science
and Soil Science Laboratory
4
Professional Education
EDP 304Educational Psychology 13
ELP 344School and Society 13
ED 311Classroom Assessment Principles and Practices 12
ED 312Classroom Assessment Principles and Practices Professional Learning Lab 11
Concentration Electives
ARE 215Small Business Accounting3
or BUS 225 Personal Finance
ARE 303Farm Management3
or ARE 304 Agribusiness Management
ARE 306Agricultural Law3
or ARE 309 Environmental Law & Economic Policy
ARE 311Agricultural Markets3
or ARE 312 Agribusiness Marketing
ARE 321Agricultural Financial Management3
or ARE 332 Human Resource Management for Agribusiness
ARE, BUS or EC Elective3
Select one of the following Economics electives:3
Introduction to Agricultural & Resource Economics
Introduction to Agricultural & Resource Economics
Principles of Microeconomics
Fundamentals of Economics
GEP Courses
ENG 101Academic Writing and Research 14
GEP Humanities6
GEP Mathematical Sciences6
GEP Health and Exercise Studies2
GEP US Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion3
GEP Interdisciplinary Perspectives5
GEP Global Knowledge (verify requirement)
World Language Proficiency (verify requirement)
Free Electives
Free Electives (12 Hr S/U Lmt) 22
Total Hours120
1

A grade of C- or higher is required.

2

Courses graded "S" for Satisfactory are allowed.

3

Students should consult their academic advisors to determine which courses fill this requirement.

Plant Science Electives

AEC 423Introduction to Fisheries Sciences Laboratory1
ANS 215Agricultural Genetics3
CS 200Introduction to Turfgrass Management4
CS 210Lawns and Sports Turf3
CS 211Plant Genetics3
CS 213Crop Science3
CS 214Crop Science Laboratory 1
CS 216Southern Row Crop Production - Cotton, Peanuts, and Tobacco3
CS 218Southern Row Crop Production - Corn, Small Grains and Soybeans3
CS 224Seeds, Biotechnology and Societies3
CS 230Introduction to Agroecology3
CS 251Production of Forage Crops3
CS 400Turf Cultural Systems3
CS 410Community Food Systems3
CS 411Crop Ecology3
CS 413Plant Breeding2
CS 414Weed Science4
CS 415Integrated Pest Management3
CS 418Introduction to Regulatory Science in Agriculture3
CS 424Seed Physiology3
CS 430Advanced Agroecology4
CS 465Turf Management Systems and Environmental Quality3
CS 470Advanced Turfgrass Pest Management2
CS 480Sustainable Food Production (capstone)1
CS 502Plant Disease: Methods & Diagnosis2
CS 518Introduction to Regulatory Science in Agriculture3
CS 524Seed Physiology3
CS 541Plant Breeding Methods3
CS 565Turf Management Systems and Environmental Quality3
CS 590Special Topics1-6
CS 5911-6
CSSC 492Professional Internship Experience in Crop and Soil Sciences1-3
ENT 402Forest Entomology3
ENT 470Advanced Turfgrass Pest Management2
FOR 150Critical Thinking and Data Analysis2
FOR 172Forest System Mapping and Mensuration I2
FOR 204Silviculture2
FOR 248Forest History, Technology and Society3
FOR 250Professional Development II: Communications in Natural Resources1
FOR 252Introduction to Forest Science3
FOR 260Forest Ecology4
FOR 261Forest Communities2
FOR 264Forest Wildlife1
FOR 265Fire Management1
FOR 273Forest System Mapping and Mensuration II3
FOR 293Independent Study in Forest Management1-6
FOR 294Independent Study in Forest Management1-6
FOR 295Special Topics in Forestry1-6
FOR 303Silvics and Forest Tree Physiology3
FOR 304Theory of Silviculture4
FOR 318Forest Pathology3
FOR 319Forest Economics3
FOR 330North Carolina Forests3
FOR 334Operations Research Applications in Natural Resources1
FOR 3394
FOR 350Professional Development III: Ethical Dilemmas in Natural Resource Management1
FOR 353GIS and Remote Sensing for Environmental Analysis and Assessment3
FOR 374Forest Measurement, Modeling, and Inventory3
FOR 402Forest Entomology3
FOR 405Forest Management4
FOR 406Forest Inventory, Analysis and Planning4
FOR 408Applied Forest Ecology: Natural Forest Silviculture3
FOR 411Forest Tree Genetics and Biology3
FOR 414World Forestry3
FOR 415World Forestry Study Tour1
FOR 420Watershed and Wetlands Hydrology4
FOR 422Consulting Forestry3
FOR 430Forest Health and Protection3
FOR 434Forest Operations and Analysis3
FOR 472Forest Soils4
FOR 491Special Topics in Forestry and Related Natural Resources1-4
FOR 493Independent Study in Forest Management1-6
FOR 494Independent Study in Forest Management1-6
FOR 501Dendrology3
FOR 502Forest Measurements1
FOR 5031
FOR 504The Practice of Silviculture3
FOR 505Forest Management4
FOR 506Silviculture Laboratory1
FOR 507Silviculture Mini Course1
FOR 508Applied Forest Ecology: Natural Forest Silviculture3
FOR 509Forest Resource Policy1
FOR 510Introduction to GPS1
FOR 513Silviculture for Intensively Managed Plantations3
FOR 514Woodland Stewardship3
FOR 519Forest Economics3
FOR 520Watershed and Wetlands Hydrology4
FOR 522Consulting Forestry3
FOR 531Wildland Fire Science3
FOR 532Wildland Firefighter3
FOR 534Forest Operations and Analysis3
FOR 540Advanced Dendrology3
FOR 561Forest Communities of the Southeastern Coastal Plain1
FOR 562Forest Communities of the Southern Appalachians1
FOR 565Plant Community Ecology4
FOR 574Forest Mensuration and Modeling3
FOR 575Advanced Terrestrial Ecosystem Ecology3
FOR 583Tropical Forestry3
FOR 595Special Topics1-6
FS 462Postharvest Physiology3
FS 562Postharvest Physiology3
FW 221Conservation of Natural Resources3
FW 404Wildlife Habitat Management3
GIS 512Introduction to Environmental Remote Sensing3
HS 200Home Horticulture3
HS 201The World of Horticulture: Principles and Practices3
HS 202Home Plant Identification3
HS 203Home Plant Propagation3
HS 204Home Landscape Maintenance3
HS 205Home Food Production3
HS 215Agricultural Genetics3
HS 242Introduction to Small Scale Landscape Design3
HS 250Home Landscape Design: Creating Garden Spaces3
HS 252Landscape Graphic Communication2
HS 272Landscape Design/Build6
HS 280Hands-On-Horticulture3
HS 290Horticulture: Careers and Opportunities1
HS 301Plant Propagation4
HS 302Gardening with Herbaceous Perennials3
HS 303Ornamental Plant Identification I3
HS 304Ornamental Plant Identification II3
HS 357Landscape Grading and Drainage4
HS 400Residential Landscaping6
HS 410Community Food Systems3
HS 411Nursery Management3
HS 416Planting Design4
HS 418Digital Media Graphic for Landscape Designers3
HS 420Green Infrastructure3
HS 421Temperate-Zone Tree Fruits: Physiology and Culture3
HS 422Small Fruit Production3
HS 4233
HS 428Soil Management Principles for Sustainable Agriculture1
HS 431Vegetable Production4
HS 432Introduction to Permaculture3
HS 433Public Garden Administration3
HS 440Greenhouse Management3
HS 442Floriculture Crop Production3
HS 451Plant Nutrition3
HS 462Postharvest Physiology3
HS 471Landscape Ecosystem Management4
HS 4753
HS 476Crop Physiology and Production in Controlled Environments 3
HS 491Sustainable Agriculture Entrepreneurship Study Abroad3
HS 492Horticulture Internship1-3
HS 493Research Experience in Horticultural Science1-3
HS 495Experimental Courses in Horticultural Science1-6
HS 502Plant Disease: Methods & Diagnosis2
HS 516Planting Design4
HS 520Green Infrastructure3
HS 521Temperate-Zone Tree Fruits: Physiology and Culture3
HS 5233
HS 532Introduction to Permaculture3
HS 533Public Garden Administration3
HS 541Plant Breeding Methods3
HS 550Environmental Nursery Production3
HS 551Plant Nutrition3
HS 562Postharvest Physiology3
HS 576Crop Physiology and Production in Controlled Environments 3
HS 590Special Problems in Horticultural Science1-6
NR 420Watershed and Wetlands Hydrology4
NR 460Renewable Natural Resource Management and Policy3
NR 491Special Topics in Forestry and Related Natural Resources1-4
NR 520Watershed and Wetlands Hydrology4
NR 560Renewable Natural Resource Management and Policy3
PP 318Forest Pathology3
PP 470Advanced Turfgrass Pest Management2
PP 502Plant Disease: Methods & Diagnosis2
SMT 202Anatomy and Properties of Renewable Materials3
SSC 428Soil Management Principles for Sustainable Agriculture1
SSC 440Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in Soil Science and Agriculture3
SSC 462Soil-Crop Management Systems3
SSC 540Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in Soil Science and Agriculture3

ARE/BUS/EC Electives

ARE 215Small Business Accounting3
ARE 260Marketing and Risk Management in the Pork Industry1
ARE 270Principles of Agribusiness Entrepreneurship3
ARE 295Special Topics in Agricultural & Resource Economics (200 Level)1-6
ARE 301Intermediate Microeconomics3
ARE 303Farm Management3
ARE 304Agribusiness Management3
ARE 306Agricultural Law3
ARE 309Environmental Law & Economic Policy3
ARE 311Agricultural Markets3
ARE 312Agribusiness Marketing3
ARE 321Agricultural Financial Management3
ARE 323Agribusiness Finance3
ARE 332Human Resource Management for Agribusiness3
ARE 336Introduction to Resource and Environmental Economics3
ARE 345Global Agribusiness Management3
ARE 370Agribusiness New Venture Development3
ARE 395Special Topics in Agricultural and Resource Economics (300 level)1-6
ARE 404Advanced Agribusiness Management3
ARE 412Advanced Agribusiness Marketing3
ARE 413Applied Agribusiness Marketing3
ARE 415Introduction to Commodity Futures Markets3
ARE 420Taxation in Agriculture, Production, and Agribusiness3
ARE 425Contracts and Organizations in Agriculture3
ARE 433U.S. Agricultural Policy3
ARE 444Ethics in Agribusiness3
ARE 448International Agricultural Trade3
ARE 455Agribusiness Analytics3
ARE 470Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Clinical Skills Development3
ARE 475Food Policy3
ARE 490Career Seminar in Agriculture & Resource Economics1
ARE 492External Learning Experience1-6
ARE 493Special Problems/Research Exploration1-6
ARE 494Agribusiness Study Abroad1-6
ARE 495Special Topics in Agricultural and Resource Economics1-6
ARE 590Special Topics in ARE1-99
BUS 225Personal Finance3
BUS 295Special Topics in Business Management1-6
BUS 320Financial Management3
BUS 340Information Systems Management3
BUS 350Economics and Business Statistics3
BUS 351Introduction to Business Analytics3
BUS 360Marketing Methods3
BUS 370Operations and Supply Chain Management3
BUS 420Financial Management of Corporations3
BUS 422Investments and Portfolio Management3
BUS 425Advanced Personal Financial Management3
BUS 426International Financial Management3
BUS 428Financial Analytics3
BUS 429Financial Modeling3
BUS 440Database Management3
BUS 441Business Data Communications and Networking3
BUS 442Information Systems Development3
BUS 443Web Development for Business Applications3
BUS 444Systems Analysis and Design3
BUS 449Information Technology Capstone3
BUS 458Analytics: From Data to Decisions3
BUS 459Business Analytics Practicum3
BUS 460Consumer Behavior3
BUS 461Channel and Retail Marketing3
BUS 462Marketing Research3
BUS 464International Marketing3
BUS 465Traditional and Digital Brand Promotion3
BUS 466Personal Selling3
BUS 467Product and Brand Management3
BUS 468Marketing Strategy3
BUS 469Digital Marketing Practicum3
BUS 470Operations Modeling and Analysis3
BUS 472Operations Planning and Control Systems3
BUS 473Supply Chain Strategy3
BUS 474Logistics Management3
BUS 475Purchasing and Supply Management3
BUS 476Decision Modeling and Analysis3
BUS 479Supply Chain Management Undergraduate Practicum3
BUS 495Special Topics in Business Management1-6
BUS 498Independent Study in Business Management1-6
BUS 501Strategic Management Foundations3
BUS 554Project Management3
BUS 571High Growth Entrepreneurship3
BUS 590Special Topics In Business Management1-6
EC 202Principles of Macroeconomics3
EC 301Intermediate Microeconomics3
EC 302Intermediate Macroeconomics3
EC 305A Closer Look at Capitalism3
EC 336Introduction to Resource and Environmental Economics3
EC 348Introduction to International Economics3
EC 351Econometrics I3
EC 404Money, Financial Markets, and the Economy3
EC 410Public Finance3
EC 413Industrial Organization3
EC 431Labor Economics3
EC 449International Finance3
EC 451Econometrics II3
EC 468Game Theory3
EC 474Economics of Financial Institutions and Markets3
EC 490Research Seminar in Economics3
EC 495Special Topics in Economics1-6
EC 498Independent Study in Economics1-6
FTM 482Global Brand Management in Textiles and Apparel3
M 100Personal and Professional Identity Development1
MBA 577Technology Entrepreneurship and Commercialization II3
MIE 201Introduction to Business Processes3
MIE 305Legal and Regulatory Environment3
MIE 310Introduction to Entrepreneurship3
MIE 330Human Resource Management3
MIE 335Organizational Behavior3
MIE 412Finance and Accounting for Entrepreneurs3
MIE 413New Venture Planning3
MIE 419Entrepreneurship Practicum3
MIE 432Employee Relations3
MIE 434Compensation Systems3
MIE 435Leadership and Management3
MIE 436Training and Development3
MIE 438Staffing3
MIE 480Business Policy and Strategy3
MSE 577Technology Entrepreneurship and Commercialization II3
PRT 406Sports Law3
ST 350Economics and Business Statistics3

Semester Sequence

This is a sample.

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Fall SemesterHours
AEE 101 Introduction to Career and Technical Education 1 1
AEE 103 Fundamentals of Agricultural and Extension Education 2 1
BIO 181 Introductory Biology: Ecology, Evolution, and Biodiversity 4
ENG 101 Academic Writing and Research 1 4
GEP Mathematical Sciences 3
GEP Health and Exercise Studies 1
 Hours14
Spring Semester
AEE 226 Computer Applications and Information Technology in Agricultural & Extension Ed 1 3
BIO 183 Introductory Biology: Cellular and Molecular Biology 4
COM 110 Public Speaking 3
Economics Elective 3
GEP Mathematical Sciences 3
GEP Health and Exercise Studies 1
 Hours17
Second Year
Fall Semester
AEE 206 Introduction to Teaching Agriculture 1 3
ARE 215
Small Business Accounting
or Personal Finance
3
BAET 201
Shop Processes and Management
or Materials & Processes Technology
3
GEP Humanities 3
Plant Science Elective 3
 Hours15
Spring Semester
ANS 150
ANS 151
Introduction to Animal Science
and Introduction to Animal Science Lab
4
ARE 311
Agricultural Markets
or Agribusiness Marketing
3
CH 101
CH 102
Chemistry - A Molecular Science
and General Chemistry Laboratory
4
GEP US Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion 3
 Hours14
Third Year
Fall Semester
AEE 322 Experiential Learning in Agriculture 1 3
ARE 306
Agricultural Law
or Environmental Law & Economic Policy
3
EDP 304 Educational Psychology 1 3
SSC 200
SSC 201
Soil Science
and Soil Science Laboratory
4
GEP Interdisciplinary Perspectives 3
 Hours16
Spring Semester
AEE 303 Administration and Supervision of Student Organizations 1 3
AEE 326 Teaching Diverse Learners in AED 1 3
ARE 303
Farm Management 1
or Agribusiness Management
3
ED 311 Classroom Assessment Principles and Practices 1 2
ED 312 Classroom Assessment Principles and Practices Professional Learning Lab 1 1
ELP 344 School and Society 1 3
Agricultural Business Elective 3
 Hours18
Fourth Year
Fall Semester
AEE 327 Conducting Summer Programs in Agricultural Education 1
AEE 426 Methods of Teaching Agriculture 1 3
ARE 321
Agricultural Financial Management
or Human Resource Management for Agribusiness
3
GEP Humanities 3
GEP Interdisciplinary Perspectives 2
Free Electives 3 2
 Hours14
Spring Semester
AEE 424 Planning Agricultural Educational Programs 1 3
AEE 427 Student Teaching in Agriculture 1 8
AEE 491 Seminar in Agricultural Education 1
 Hours12
 Total Hours120
1

A minimum grade of C- is required for graduation. A minimum grade of C is required for teacher licensure.

2

Incoming freshmen complete AEE 103 Fundamentals of Agricultural and Extension Education. Transfer students may complete ALS 103 Freshman Transitions and Diversity in Agriculture & Life Sciences or ALS 303 Transfer Transitions and Diversity in Agriculture & 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

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Occupational Outlook Handbook
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