AgEd Master of Science Program - Teacher Certification Option

This degree program in Agricultural Education offers students the opportunity to earn a Master of Science degree and acquire a teaching certificate. The program is designed to meet the needs of those individuals with a B.S. degree in some field of agriculture who desire to teach agriculture at the secondary level and earn a Masters Degree in Agricultural Education. The program cannot be completed by distance education.

The program is viewed as a practitioner’s program oriented strongly toward improving the candidate’s professional proficiency and status. The program includes courses and educational experiences that enhance the candidate’s skills and knowledge in the processes of teaching and learning. All graduate students in the teacher certification option must earn two credits for a creative component. The required creative component for this option is the student teaching portfolio. The portfolio is designed to document your achievement of the Iowa Teaching Standards. The portfolio will include a self assessment with reflection and documentation of accomplishments. Graduate students will highlight their accomplishments and answer questions posed by their program of study committee during their final oral examination.

Each student’s record will be reviewed to determine if they meet specific requirements for teacher education and licensure. Students may be required to take undergraduate courses to correct deficiencies. Information about teacher education at Iowa State University is available at: http://www.teacher.hs.iastate.edu/.

Program of Study Requirements

Program Requirements	Required Course or Equivalent	Credits
Program Planning	AGEDS 501	3
Instructional Methods	AGEDS 502	3
Introduction to Research	AGEDS 510	3
Foundations of Agricultural Education	AGEDS 550	3
Early Field Experience	AGEDS 590B	1
Creative Component	AGEDS 599	2
Student Teaching	AGEDS 617	4
Technology in Learning & Teaching	CI 505	2
Multicultural Education	CI 506	3
Teaching Students with Exceptionalities	SpEd 501	3
Educational Psychology & the Secondary Classroom	CI 529	3
Total Required Credits		30
Required Undergraduate Course
Developmental Psychology	PSYCH 230	3

Note: 22 credits must be earned at Iowa State University.

For a specialization in Agricultural Extension Education, a graduate course in each of the following areas is required: program planning, program evaluation, and instructional methods. The thesis or creative component must be related to agricultural extension education. Students who wish to focus on extension are encouraged to review “A Sampling of Courses Supportive of an Extension Graduate Focus” (Adobe Reader Required).

Potential Course Sequence

Year 1 - Fall	Credits	Year 1 - Spring	Credits
AGEDS 550 CI 505 Psych 230	3 2 3	AGEDS 510 CI 506	3 3
Year 2 - Summer Session
Sp Ed 501	3
Year 2 - Fall		Year 2 - Spring
AGEDS 501 CI 533	3 3	AGEDS 502 AGEDS 590B AGEDS 599 AGEDS 617	3 1 2 4

 

Admission Procedures

Before applying for admission, students are encouraged to acquaint themselves with the Department of Agricultural Education and Studies. Explore the following website: http://www.ageds.iastate.edu/index.htm. Contact any of our faculty and staff at anytime with questions. It is important that your educational goals and interests align with the expertise and focus areas of the department. If you decide that one of our programs would help you to achieve your personal and professional goals, we cordially invite you to apply for admission.

Directions for admission that are outlined on the Internet at: http://www.admissions.iastate.edu/graduate/index.php

Key components of the application for admission include:

Application Deadlines

March 15 - Deadline for persons desiring admission in the following summer or fall semester.

October 15 - Deadline for persons desiring admission for the following spring semester.