University Catalog 2024-2025

Agricultural Education (BS): Natural Resources 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 Natural Resources concentration is one of seven concentrations offered for the Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Education.

  • 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, including contact information, 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
Writing and Speaking
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
Other 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
Teaching Content Courses
BAET 201Shop Processes and Management3
or TDE 110 Materials & Processes Technology
ANS 150
ANS 151
Introduction to Animal Science
and Introduction to Animal Science Lab
4
Agriculture Elective5
Select one of the following Economics Courses:3
Introduction to Agricultural & Resource Economics
Introduction to Agricultural & Resource Economics
Principles of Microeconomics
Fundamentals of Economics
Natural Resources Concentration
ARE 336Introduction to Resource and Environmental Economics3
CS 230Introduction to Agroecology3
FOR 252Introduction to Forest Science3
FW 221Conservation of Natural Resources3
FW 353Wildlife Management3
SSC 185Land and Life3
SSC 200
SSC 201
Soil Science
and Soil Science Laboratory
4
GEP Courses In The Major
ENG 101Academic Writing and Research 14
GEP Humanities6
GEP Mathematical Sciences6
GEP Health and Exercise Studies1
GEP Health and Exercise Studies1
GEP US Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion3
GEP Global Knowledge (verify requirement)
World Language Proficiency (verify requirement)
Free Electives
Free Electives (12 Hr S/U Lmt) 25
Total Hours120
1

A grade of C- or higher is required.

2

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

Agriculture Electives

Agriculture Elective
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
EC 301Intermediate Microeconomics3
EC 336Introduction to Resource and Environmental Economics3
Group C - Applied Sci & Tech
AEE 101Introduction to Career and Technical Education1
AEE 206Introduction to Teaching Agriculture3
AEE 208Agricultural Biotechnology: Issues and Implications3
AEE 230Introduction to Cooperative Extension3
AEE 303Administration and Supervision of Student Organizations3
AEE 311Communication Methods and Media3
AEE 322Experiential Learning in Agriculture3
AEE 323Leadership Development in Agriculture and Life Sciences3
AEE 325Planning and Delivering Non-Formal Education3
AEE 326Teaching Diverse Learners in AED3
AEE 327Conducting Summer Programs in Agricultural Education1
AEE 350Personal Leadership Development in Agriculture and Life Sciences3
AEE 360Developing Team Leadership in Agriculture and Life Sciences3
AEE 423Practicum in Agricultural Extension/Industry8
AEE 424Planning Agricultural Educational Programs3
AEE 426Methods of Teaching Agriculture3
AEE 427Student Teaching in Agriculture8
AEE 433Leadership and Management of Volunteers in Agricultural and Extension Education3
AEE 435Professional Presentations in Agricultural Organizations3
AEE 460Organizational Leadership Development in Agriculture and Life Sciences3
AEE 478Advanced Issues in Extension Education3
AEE 490Seminar in Agricultural and Extension Education1
AEE 533Leadership and Management of Volunteers in Agricultural and Extension Education3
ALS 110Academic and Career Skills Seminar1
ANS 105Introduction to Companion Animal Science3
ANS 110Introduction to Equine Science3
ANS 150Introduction to Animal Science3
ANS 151Introduction to Animal Science Lab1
ANS 201Techniques of Animal Care2
ANS 208Agricultural Biotechnology: Issues and Implications3
ANS 225Principles of Animal Nutrition3
ANS 303Principles of Equine Evaluation2
ANS 304Dairy Cattle Evaluation2
ANS 309Livestock Evaluation3
ANS 322Muscle Foods and Eggs3
ANS 324Milk and Dairy Products3
ANS 400Companion Animal Management3
ANS 402Beef Cattle Management 3
ANS 403Swine Management3
ANS 404Dairy Cattle Management 3
ANS 408Small Ruminant Management3
ANS 410Equine Breeding Farm Management3
ANS 425Feed Manufacturing Technology3
ANS 440Animal Genetic Improvement3
ANS 453Physiology and Genetics of Growth and Development3
ANS 454Lactation, Milk and Nutrition3
ANS 525Feed Manufacturing Technology3
ANS 540Animal Genetic Improvement3
ANS 553Physiology and Genetics of Growth and Development3
ANS 554Lactation, Milk and Nutrition3
BAE 100Introduction to Biological and Agricultural Engineering and Technology1
BAE 202Introduction to Biological and Agricultural Engineering Methods4
BAE 302Transport Phenomena3
BAE 322Introduction to Food Process Engineering3
BAE 361Analytical Methods in Engineering Design3
BAE 371Fundamentals of Hydrology for Engineers3
BAE 401Sensors and Controls3
BAE 435Precision Agriculture Technology3
BAE 451Engineering Design I2
BAE 452Engineering Design II2
BAE 462Machinery Design and Applications3
BAE 472Irrigation and Drainage3
BAE 473Introduction to Hydrologic and Water Quality Modeling3
BAE 474Principles and Applications of Ecological Engineering3
BAE 481Structures & Environment3
BAE 501Sensors and Controls3
BAE 535Precision Agriculture Technology3
BAE 572Irrigation and Drainage3
BAE 573Introduction to Hydrologic and Water Quality Modeling3
BAET 201Shop Processes and Management3
BAET 323Water Management3
BAET 332Management of Animal Environments4
BAET 333Processing Agricultural Products4
BAET 343Agricultural Electrification4
BAET 411Agricultural Machinery and Power Units4
BAET 432Agricultural and Environmental Safety and Health3
BAET 443Environmental Restoration Implementation3
BEC 330Principles and Applications of Bioseparations2
BEC 436Introduction to Downstream Process Development2
BEC 4403
BEC 536Introduction to Downstream Process Development2
BEC 5403
BME 2033
BME 207Biomedical Electronics4
BME 3423
BME 385Bioinstrumentation3
BME 412Biomedical Signal Processing3
BME 425Bioelectricity3
BME 525Bioelectricity3
CS 470Advanced Turfgrass Pest Management2
ECI 424Student Teaching in Modern Foreign Languages12
ENT 470Advanced Turfgrass Pest Management2
FM 425Feed Manufacturing Technology3
FM 525Feed Manufacturing Technology3
FS 322Muscle Foods and Eggs3
FS 324Milk and Dairy Products3
FS 435Food Safety Management Systems3
FS 535Food Safety Management Systems3
MSE 2033
NTR 425Feed Manufacturing Technology3
NTR 454Lactation, Milk and Nutrition3
NTR 525Feed Manufacturing Technology3
PB 208Agricultural Biotechnology: Issues and Implications3
PO 322Muscle Foods and Eggs3
BME 365Linear Systems in Biomedical Engineering3
PO 425Feed Manufacturing Technology3
PO 525Feed Manufacturing Technology3
PP 470Advanced Turfgrass Pest Management2
SSC 440Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in Soil Science and Agriculture3
SSC 473Introduction to Hydrologic and Water Quality Modeling3
SSC 540Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in Soil Science and Agriculture3
SSC 573Introduction to Hydrologic and Water Quality Modeling3
USC 291Service Learning Program Leader Development I1
USC 292Service Learning Program Leader Development II2
Group C - Applied Sci & Tech
AEC 420Introduction to Fisheries Science3
AEE 206Introduction to Teaching Agriculture3
AEE 303Administration and Supervision of Student Organizations3
AEE 322Experiential Learning in Agriculture3
AEE 327Conducting Summer Programs in Agricultural Education1
AEE 424Planning Agricultural Educational Programs3
AEE 426Methods of Teaching Agriculture3
AEE 427Student Teaching in Agriculture8
ANS 322Muscle Foods and Eggs3
ANS 324Milk and Dairy Products3
ANS 330Laboratory Animal Science3
ANS 411Management of Growing and Performance Horses3
ANS 425Feed Manufacturing Technology3
ANS 525Feed Manufacturing Technology3
BAE 325Introductory Geomatics3
BAE 425Industrial Microbiology and Bioprocessing3
BAE 435Precision Agriculture Technology3
BAE 525Industrial Microbiology and Bioprocessing3
BAE 535Precision Agriculture Technology3
BBS 201Introduction to Biopharmaceutical Science3
BBS 301Process Validation Science3
BBS 426Upstream Biomanufacturing Laboratory2
BBS 526Upstream Biomanufacturing Laboratory2
BCH 220Role of Biotechnology in Society3
BEC 426Upstream Biomanufacturing Laboratory2
BEC 483Tissue Engineering Technologies2
BEC 526Upstream Biomanufacturing Laboratory2
BEC 583Tissue Engineering Technologies2
BME 375Biomedical Microcontroller Applications3
BME 444Orthopaedic Biomechanics3
BME 451BME Senior Design: Product Development3
BME 452BME Senior Design: Product Implementation and Strategy3
BME 466Polymeric Biomaterials Engineering3
BME 467Mechanics of Tissues & Implants Requirements3
BME 483Tissue Engineering Technologies2
BME 484Fundamentals of Tissue Engineering3
BME 544Orthopaedic Biomechanics3
BME 566Polymeric Biomaterials Engineering3
BME 583Tissue Engineering Technologies2
BME 584Fundamentals of Tissue Engineering3
CS 200Introduction to Turfgrass Management4
CS 210Lawns and Sports Turf3
CS 213Crop Science3
CS 216Southern Row Crop Production - Cotton, Peanuts, and Tobacco3
CS 218Southern Row Crop Production - Corn, Small Grains and Soybeans3
CS 230Introduction to Agroecology3
CS 3123
CS 400Turf Cultural Systems3
CS 411Crop Ecology3
CS 413Plant Breeding2
CS 414Weed Science4
CS 415Integrated Pest Management3
CS 424Seed Physiology3
CS 430Advanced Agroecology4
CS 465Turf Management Systems and Environmental Quality3
CS 524Seed Physiology3
CS 565Turf Management Systems and Environmental Quality3
CSSC 490Senior Seminar in Crop Science and Soil Science1
ECI 424Student Teaching in Modern Foreign Languages12
ENT 203An Introduction to the Honey Bee and Beekeeping3
ENT 401Honey Bee Biology and Management3
ES 100Introduction to Environmental Sciences3
ES 200Climate Change and Sustainability3
ES 300Energy and Environment3
ES 400Analysis of Environmental Issues3
FM 425Feed Manufacturing Technology3
FM 460Feed Mill Operations and Leadership3
FM 480Feed Quality Assurance & Formulation3
FM 490Feed Science Seminar1
FM 525Feed Manufacturing Technology3
FOR 318Forest Pathology3
FOR 420Watershed and Wetlands Hydrology4
FOR 472Forest Soils4
FOR 520Watershed and Wetlands Hydrology4
FS 201Introduction to Food Science3
FS 290Careers in Food and Bioprocessing Sciences1
FS 322Muscle Foods and Eggs3
FS 324Milk and Dairy Products3
FS 330Science of Food Preparation3
FS 352Introduction to Microbiological Food Safety Hazards3
FS 354Food Sanitation3
FS 416Quality Control in Food and Bioprocessing3
FS 421Food Preservation3
FS 426Upstream Biomanufacturing Laboratory2
FS 435Food Safety Management Systems3
FS 453Food Laws and Regulations3
FS 462Postharvest Physiology3
FS 475Problems and Design in Food and Bioprocessing Science3
FS 516Quality Control in Food and Bioprocessing3
FS 521Food Preservation3
FS 526Upstream Biomanufacturing Laboratory2
FS 535Food Safety Management Systems3
FS 553Food Laws and Regulations3
FS 562Postharvest Physiology3
FW 221Conservation of Natural Resources3
FW 311Piedmont Wildlife Ecology and Management3
FW 312Fisheries Techniques and Management1
FW 313Mountain Wildlife Ecology and Management1
FW 314Coastal Ecology and Management1
FW 353Wildlife Management3
FW 403Urban Wildlife Management3
FW 411Human Dimensions of Wildlife and Fisheries3
FW 453Principles of Wildlife Science4
FW 460International Wildlife Management and Conservation3
FW 465African Ecology and Conservation4
FW 511Human Dimensions of Wildlife and Fisheries3
FW 560International Wildlife Management and Conservation3
FW 565African Ecology and Conservation4
GPH 201Fundamentals of Global Public Health3
HS 432Introduction to Permaculture3
HS 462Postharvest Physiology3
HS 532Introduction to Permaculture3
HS 562Postharvest Physiology3
IDS 303Humans and the Environment3
NR 303Humans and the Environment3
NR 350International Sustainable Resource Use4
NR 406Conservation of Biological Diversity3
NR 420Watershed and Wetlands Hydrology4
NR 460Renewable Natural Resource Management and Policy3
NR 520Watershed and Wetlands Hydrology4
NR 560Renewable Natural Resource Management and Policy3
NTR 425Feed Manufacturing Technology3
NTR 525Feed Manufacturing Technology3
PO 322Muscle Foods and Eggs3
PO 424Poultry Meat Production3
PO 425Feed Manufacturing Technology3
PO 435Poultry Incubation & Breeding4
PO 525Feed Manufacturing Technology3
PP 318Forest Pathology3
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
TE 466Polymeric Biomaterials Engineering3
TE 467Mechanics of Tissues & Implants Requirements3
TE 566Polymeric Biomaterials Engineering3
VMP 401Poultry Diseases4
VMP 420Disease of Farm Animals3

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
COM 110 Public Speaking 3
ENG 101 Academic Writing and Research 4
GEP Mathematical Sciences 3
GEP Health and Exercise Studies 1
 Hours17
Spring Semester
AEE 226 Computer Applications and Information Technology in Agricultural & Extension Ed 1 3
ANS 150
ANS 151
Introduction to Animal Science
and Introduction to Animal Science Lab
4
BIO 183 Introductory Biology: Cellular and Molecular Biology 4
GEP Mathematical Sciences 3
GEP Health and Exercise Studies 1
 Hours15
Second Year
Fall Semester
AEE 206 Introduction to Teaching Agriculture 1 3
CS 230 Introduction to Agroecology 3
BAET 201
Shop Processes and Management
or Materials & Processes Technology
3
FW 221 Conservation of Natural Resources 3
Economics Elective 3
 Hours15
Spring Semester
CH 101
CH 102
Chemistry - A Molecular Science
and General Chemistry Laboratory
4
FOR 252 Introduction to Forest Science 3
SSC 185 Land and Life 3
GEP US Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion 3
 Hours13
Third Year
Fall Semester
AEE 322 Experiential Learning in Agriculture 1 3
ARE 336 Introduction to Resource and Environmental Economics 3
EDP 304 Educational Psychology 1 3
SSC 200
SSC 201
Soil Science
and Soil Science Laboratory
4
Agriculture Elective 5
 Hours18
Spring Semester
AEE 303 Administration and Supervision of Student Organizations 1 3
AEE 326 Teaching Diverse Learners in AED 1 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
GEP Humanities 3
 Hours15
Fourth Year
Fall Semester
AEE 327 Conducting Summer Programs in Agricultural Education 1
AEE 426 Methods of Teaching Agriculture 1 3
FW 353 Wildlife Management 3
GEP Humanities 3
Free Electives 3 5
 Hours15
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

NCcareers.org
Explore North Carolina’s central online resource for students, parents, educators, job seekers and career counselors looking for high quality job and career information.

Occupational Outlook Handbook
Browse the Occupational Outlook Handbook published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics to view state and area employment and wage statistics. You can also identify and compare similar occupations based on your interests.

Career One Stop Videos
View videos that provide career details and information on wages, employment trends, skills needed, and more for any occupation. Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor.

Focus 2 Career Assessment (NC State student email address required)
This career, major and education planning system is available to current NC State students to learn about how your values, interests, competencies, and personality fit into the NC State majors and your future career. An NC State email address is required to create an account. Make an appointment with your career counselor to discuss the results.

Agricultural and Applied Economics Association
AgCareers.com
National Agri-Marketing Association