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, Agricultural Education
919.515.9441
tdpark@ncsu.edu
Plan Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Orientation | ||
| AEE 103 | Fundamentals of Agricultural and Extension Education | 1 |
| or ALS 103 | First-year Success in Agriculture and Life Sciences | |
| or ALS 303 | Transfer Success in Agriculture and Life Sciences | |
| Writing and Speaking | ||
| COM 110 | Public Speaking | 3 |
| Sciences | ||
| BIO 181 | Introductory Biology: Ecology, Evolution, and Biodiversity | 4 |
| BIO 183 | Introductory Biology: Cellular and Molecular Biology | 4 |
| CH 101 & CH 102 | Chemistry - A Molecular Science and General Chemistry Laboratory | 4 |
| Agricultural Education | ||
| AEE 101 | Introduction to Career and Technical Education 1 | 1 |
| AEE 206 | Introduction to Teaching Agriculture 1 | 3 |
| AEE 226 | Computer Applications and Information Technology in Agricultural & Extension Ed 1 | 3 |
| AEE 303 | Administration and Supervision of Student Organizations 1 | 3 |
| AEE 322 | Experiential Learning in Agriculture 1 | 3 |
| AEE 326 | Teaching Diverse Learners in AED 1 | 3 |
| AEE 327 | Conducting Summer Programs in Agricultural Education 1 | 1 |
| AEE 424 | Planning Agricultural Educational Programs 1 | 3 |
| AEE 426 | Methods of Teaching Agriculture 1 | 3 |
| AEE 427 | Student Teaching in Agriculture 1 | 8 |
| AEE 491 | Seminar in Agricultural Education 1 | 1 |
| Other Professional Education | ||
| EDP 304 | Educational Psychology 1 | 3 |
| ELP 344 | School and Society 1 | 3 |
| ED 311 | Classroom Assessment Principles and Practices 1 | 2 |
| ED 312 | Classroom Assessment Principles and Practices Professional Learning Lab 1 | 1 |
| Teaching Content Courses | ||
| BAET 201 | Shop Processes and Management | 3 |
| or TDE 110 | Materials & Processes Technology | |
| ANS 150 & ANS 151 | Introduction to Animal Science and Introduction to Animal Science Lab | 4 |
| Agriculture Elective | 5 | |
| 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 336 | Introduction to Resource and Environmental Economics | 3 |
| CS 230 | Introduction to Agroecology | 3 |
| FOR 252 | Introduction to Forest Science | 3 |
| FW 221 | Conservation of Natural Resources | 3 |
| FW 353 | Wildlife Management | 3 |
| SSC 185 | Land and Life | 3 |
| SSC 200 & SSC 201 | Soil Science and Soil Science Laboratory | 4 |
| GEP Courses In The Major | ||
| ENG 101 | Academic Writing and Research 1 | 4 |
| GEP Humanities | 6 | |
| GEP Mathematical Sciences | 6 | |
| GEP Health and Exercise Studies | 1 | |
| GEP Health and Exercise Studies | 1 | |
| GEP Elective | 3 | |
| GEP Global Knowledge (verify requirement) | ||
| GEP Foundations of American Democracy (verify requirement) | ||
| World Language Proficiency (verify requirement) | ||
| Free Electives | ||
| Free Electives (12 Hr S/U Lmt) 2 | 5 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
- 1
A minimum grade of C is required for teacher licensure. A minimum grade of C- is required for graduation.
- 2
Students should consult their academic advisors to determine which courses fill this requirement.
Agriculture Electives
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Agriculture Elective | ||
| ARE 215 | Small Business Accounting | 3 |
| ARE 260 | Marketing and Risk Management in the Pork Industry | 1 |
| ARE 270 | Principles of Agribusiness Entrepreneurship | 3 |
| ARE 295 | Special Topics in Agricultural & Resource Economics (200 Level) | 1-6 |
| ARE 301 | Intermediate Microeconomics | 3 |
| ARE 303 | Farm Management | 3 |
| ARE 304 | Agribusiness Management | 3 |
| ARE 306 | Agricultural Law | 3 |
| ARE 309 | Environmental Law & Economic Policy | 3 |
| ARE 311 | Agricultural Markets | 3 |
| ARE 312 | Agribusiness Marketing | 3 |
| ARE 321 | Agricultural Financial Management | 3 |
| ARE 323 | Agribusiness Finance | 3 |
| ARE 332 | Human Resource Management for Agribusiness | 3 |
| ARE 336 | Introduction to Resource and Environmental Economics | 3 |
| ARE 345 | Global Agribusiness Management | 3 |
| ARE 370 | Agribusiness New Venture Development | 3 |
| ARE 395 | Special Topics in Agricultural and Resource Economics (300 level) | 1-6 |
| ARE 404 | Advanced Agribusiness Management | 3 |
| ARE 412 | Advanced Agribusiness Marketing | 3 |
| ARE 413 | Applied Agribusiness Marketing | 3 |
| ARE 415 | Introduction to Commodity Futures Markets | 3 |
| ARE 420 | Taxation in Agriculture, Production, and Agribusiness | 3 |
| ARE 425 | Contracts and Organizations in Agriculture | 3 |
| ARE 433 | U.S. Agricultural Policy | 3 |
| ARE 444 | Ethics in Agribusiness | 3 |
| ARE 448 | International Agricultural Trade | 3 |
| ARE 455 | Agribusiness Analytics | 3 |
| ARE 470 | Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Clinical Skills Development | 3 |
| ARE 475 | Food Policy | 3 |
| ARE 490 | Career Seminar in Agriculture & Resource Economics | 1 |
| ARE 492 | External Learning Experience | 1-6 |
| ARE 493 | Special Problems/Research Exploration | 1-6 |
| ARE 494 | Agribusiness Study Abroad | 1-6 |
| ARE 495 | Special Topics in Agricultural and Resource Economics | 1-6 |
| EC 301 | Intermediate Microeconomics | 3 |
| EC 336 | Introduction to Resource and Environmental Economics | 3 |
| Group C - Applied Sci & Tech | ||
| ANS 105 | Introduction to Companion Animal Science | 3 |
| ANS 110 | Introduction to Equine Science | 3 |
| ANS 150 | Introduction to Animal Science | 3 |
| ANS 151 | Introduction to Animal Science Lab | 1 |
| ANS 201 | Techniques of Animal Care | 2 |
| ANS 208 | Agricultural Biotechnology: Issues and Implications | 3 |
| ANS 225 | Principles of Animal Nutrition | 3 |
| ANS 303 | Principles of Equine Evaluation | 2 |
| ANS 304 | Dairy Cattle Evaluation | 2 |
| ANS 309 | Livestock Evaluation | 3 |
| ANS 322 | Muscle Foods and Eggs | 3 |
| ANS 324 | Milk and Dairy Products | 3 |
| ANS 400 | Companion Animal Management | 3 |
| ANS 402 | Beef Cattle Management | 3 |
| ANS 403 | Swine Management | 3 |
| ANS 404 | Dairy Cattle Management | 3 |
| ANS 408 | Small Ruminant Management | 3 |
| ANS 410 | Equine Breeding Farm Management | 3 |
| ANS 425 | Feed Manufacturing Technology | 3 |
| ANS 440 | Animal Genetic Improvement | 3 |
| ANS 453 | Physiology and Genetics of Growth and Development | 3 |
| ANS 454 | Lactation, Milk and Nutrition | 3 |
| BAE 100 | Introduction to Biological and Agricultural Engineering and Technology | 1 |
| BAE 202 | Introduction to Biological and Agricultural Engineering Methods | 4 |
| BAE 302 | Transport Phenomena | 3 |
| BAE 322 | Introduction to Food Process Engineering | 3 |
| BAE 361 | Analytical Methods in Engineering Design | 3 |
| BAE 371 | Fundamentals of Hydrology for Engineers | 3 |
| BAE 401 | Sensors and Controls | 3 |
| BAE 435 | Precision Agriculture Technology | 3 |
| BAE 451 | Engineering Design I | 2 |
| BAE 452 | Engineering Design II | 2 |
| BAE 462 | Machinery Design and Applications | 3 |
| BAE 472 | Irrigation and Drainage | 3 |
| BAE 473 | Introduction to Hydrologic and Water Quality Modeling | 3 |
| BAE 474 | Principles and Applications of Ecological Engineering | 3 |
| BAE 481 | Structures & Environment | 3 |
| BAET 201 | Shop Processes and Management | 3 |
| BAET 323 | Water Management | 3 |
| BAET 332 | Management of Animal Environments | 4 |
| BAET 333 | Processing Agricultural Products | 3 |
| BAET 343 | Agricultural Electrification | 4 |
| BAET 411 | Agricultural Machinery and Power Units | 4 |
| BAET 432 | Agricultural and Environmental Safety and Health | 3 |
| BAET 443 | Environmental Restoration Implementation | 3 |
| CS 470 | Advanced Turfgrass Pest Management | 2 |
| ENT 470 | Advanced Turfgrass Pest Management | 2 |
| FM 425 | Feed Manufacturing Technology | 3 |
| FS 322 | Muscle Foods and Eggs | 3 |
| FS 324 | Milk and Dairy Products | 3 |
| FS 435 | Food Safety Management Systems | 3 |
| NTR 425 | Feed Manufacturing Technology | 3 |
| NTR 454 | Lactation, Milk and Nutrition | 3 |
| PB 208 | Agricultural Biotechnology: Issues and Implications | 3 |
| PO 322 | Muscle Foods and Eggs | 3 |
| BME 365 | Linear Systems in Biomedical Engineering | 3 |
| PO 425 | Feed Manufacturing Technology | 3 |
| PP 470 | Advanced Turfgrass Pest Management | 2 |
| SSC 440 | Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in Soil Science and Agriculture | 3 |
| SSC 473 | Introduction to Hydrologic and Water Quality Modeling | 3 |
| Group C - Applied Sci & Tech | ||
| AEC 420 | Introduction to Fisheries Science | 3 |
| ANS 322 | Muscle Foods and Eggs | 3 |
| ANS 324 | Milk and Dairy Products | 3 |
| ANS 330 | Laboratory Animal Science | 3 |
| ANS 411 | Management of Growing and Performance Horses | 3 |
| ANS 425 | Feed Manufacturing Technology | 3 |
| BAE 325 | Introductory Geomatics | 3 |
| BAE 425 | Industrial Microbiology and Bioprocessing | 3 |
| BAE 435 | Precision Agriculture Technology | 3 |
| BBS 201 | Introduction to Biopharmaceutical Science | 3 |
| BCH 220 | Role of Biotechnology in Society | 3 |
| CS 200 | Introduction to Turfgrass Management | 4 |
| CS 210 | Lawns and Sports Turf | 3 |
| CS 213 | Crop Science | 3 |
| CS 216 | Southern Row Crop Production - Cotton, Peanuts, and Tobacco | 3 |
| CS 218 | Southern Row Crop Production - Corn, Small Grains and Soybeans | 3 |
| CS 230 | Introduction to Agroecology | 3 |
| CS 400 | Turf Cultural Systems | 3 |
| CS 413 | Plant Breeding | 3 |
| CS 414 | Weed Science | 4 |
| CS 415 | Integrated Pest Management | 3 |
| CS 424 | Seed Physiology | 3 |
| CS 430 | Advanced Agroecology | 4 |
| CS 465 | Turf Management Systems and Environmental Quality | 3 |
| ENT 203 | An Introduction to the Honey Bee and Beekeeping | 3 |
| ENT 401 | Honey Bee Biology and Management | 3 |
| ES 100 | Introduction to Environmental Sciences | 3 |
| ES 200 | Climate Change and Sustainability | 3 |
| ES 300 | Energy and Environment | 3 |
| ES 400 | Analysis of Environmental Issues | 3 |
| FM 425 | Feed Manufacturing Technology | 3 |
| FM 460 | Feed Mill Operations and Leadership | 3 |
| FM 480 | Feed Quality Assurance & Formulation | 3 |
| FOR 318 | Forest Pathology | 3 |
| FOR 420 | Watershed and Wetlands Hydrology | 4 |
| FOR 472 | Forest Soils | 4 |
| FS 201 | Introduction to Food Science | 3 |
| FS 322 | Muscle Foods and Eggs | 3 |
| FS 324 | Milk and Dairy Products | 3 |
| FS 330 | Science of Food Preparation | 3 |
| FS 352 | Introduction to Microbiological Food Safety Hazards | 3 |
| FS 354 | Food Sanitation | 3 |
| FS 416 | Quality Control in Food and Bioprocessing | 3 |
| FS 421 | Food Preservation | 3 |
| FS 426 | Upstream Biomanufacturing Laboratory | 2 |
| FS 435 | Food Safety Management Systems | 3 |
| FS 453 | Food Laws and Regulations | 3 |
| FS 462 | Postharvest Physiology | 3 |
| FS 475 | Problems and Design in Food and Bioprocessing Science | 4 |
| FW 221 | Conservation of Natural Resources | 3 |
| FW 311 | Piedmont Wildlife Ecology and Management | 3 |
| FW 312 | Fisheries Techniques and Management | 1 |
| FW 313 | Mountain Wildlife Ecology and Management | 1 |
| FW 314 | Coastal Ecology and Management | 1 |
| FW 353 | Wildlife Management | 3 |
| FW 403 | Urban Wildlife Management | 3 |
| FW 411 | Human Dimensions of Wildlife and Fisheries | 3 |
| FW 453 | Principles of Wildlife Science | 4 |
| FW 460 | International Wildlife Management and Conservation | 3 |
| FW 465 | African Ecology and Conservation | 4 |
| HS 432 | Introduction to Permaculture | 3 |
| HS 462 | Postharvest Physiology | 3 |
| IDS 303 | Humans and the Environment | 3 |
| NR 303 | Humans and the Environment | 3 |
| NR 350 | International Sustainable Resource Use | 4 |
| NR 406 | Conservation of Biological Diversity | 3 |
| NR 420 | Watershed and Wetlands Hydrology | 4 |
| NR 460 | Renewable Natural Resource Management and Policy | 3 |
| NTR 425 | Feed Manufacturing Technology | 3 |
| NTR 525 | Feed Manufacturing Technology | 3 |
| PO 322 | Muscle Foods and Eggs | 3 |
| PO 424 | Poultry Meat Production | 3 |
| PO 425 | Feed Manufacturing Technology | 3 |
| PO 435 | Poultry Incubation & Breeding | 4 |
| PP 318 | Forest Pathology | 3 |
| SSC 440 | Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in Soil Science and Agriculture | 3 |
| SSC 462 | Soil-Crop Management Systems | 3 |
| TE 466 | Polymeric Biomaterials Engineering | 3 |
| TE 467 | Mechanics of Tissues & Implants Requirements | 3 |
| VMP 401 | Poultry Diseases | 4 |
| VMP 420 | Disease of Farm Animals | 3 |
Semester Sequence
This is a sample.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Hours | |
| 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 | |
| Hours | 17 | |
| 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 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| AEE 206 | Introduction to Teaching Agriculture 1 | 3 |
| CS 230 | Introduction to Agroecology | 3 |
| BAET 201 or TDE 110 | Shop Processes and Management or Materials & Processes Technology | 3 |
| FW 221 | Conservation of Natural Resources | 3 |
| Economics Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| 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 Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 13 | |
| 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 | |
| Hours | 18 | |
| 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 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| AEE 327 | Conducting Summer Programs in Agricultural Education 1 | 1 |
| AEE 426 | Methods of Teaching Agriculture 1 | 3 |
| FW 353 | Wildlife Management | 3 |
| GEP Humanities | 3 | |
| Free Electives 3 | 5 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| 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 | 1 |
| Hours | 12 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
- 1
A minimum grade of C is required for teacher licensure. A minimum grade of C- is required for graduation.
- 2
Incoming freshmen complete AEE 103 Fundamentals of Agricultural and Extension Education. Transfer students may complete ALS 103 First-year Success in Agriculture and Life Sciences or ALS 303 Transfer Success in Agriculture and 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
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Career One Stop Videos
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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.
Focus 2 Apply Assessment (Available to prospective students)
A career assessment tool designed to support prospective students in exploring and choosing the right major and career path based on your unique personality, interests, skills and values. Get started with Focus 2 Apply and see how it can guide your journey at NC State.
Agricultural and Applied Economics Association
AgCareers.com
National Agri-Marketing Association