Master of Science in Agricultural Education and Communication
About the Program
The Master of Science in Agricultural Education and Communication offers professionals in agricultural education, agricultural communications, extension education, and related fields with opportunities to broaden their knowledge while expanding their technical competence. The degree offers a course-based option (36 credit hours), a report option (32 credit hours), and a thesis option (30 credit hours). Courses are available to both part-time students and full-time students, and the program can be completed either entirely by distance or through a combination of distance and coursework on campus. (Program overview (pdf))
Program of Study/Degree Requirements
For students who seek a greater focus on developing their skills in research or those who are interested in continuing their education through doctoral study, a thesis option is offered. For students who prefer to focus on expanding their technical knowledge with a decreased emphasis on research, report option and course-based options are also available (see the detailed curriculum (pdf)).
The curriculum entails a core of courses in research methods, philosophical contexts, and theoretical foundations of the respective fields of interest. In addition, students pursuing the thesis option supplement this core with coursework in data analysis and thesis research. Students pursuing the report option complete a research study. The balance of coursework in the thesis option includes 12 hours of elective courses, while report option students complete 18 hours of electives. For students completing the course-based option, there are 24 hours of electives.
All students work individually with a faculty adviser to tailor a combination of elective courses and to design independent research with input from a graduate committee. Because we believe graduate education is a highly individualized process, no two students will have identical programs of study. Each student will work with an adviser to identify courses that best meet the student's specific interests and needs.
Visit IDEA for more information on the course schedule and descriptions offered.
Review the Graduate Handbook for more information and departmental forms.
A minimum of a 3.0 GPA on last 60 credits of undergraduate coursework required. If not available, an acceptable Graduate Record Exam (GRE) score is required: a combined verbal/qualitative score of 300 or higher and an analytical writing score of 3.5 or higher.
Deadlines: September 1 for Spring Admission February 1 for Summer and Fall Admission
Step 1: Write a 2-page statement of purpose (professional and educational background, how our program can help you achieve your professional goals, and desired degree concentration (agricultural education or agricultural communications).
- Tell us about yourself, aptitude for graduate study, long-term career goal, and degree concentration- area.
- Describe how you will complete the program - full-time, part-time; on-campus, distance. • Indicate which option you are planning to pursue - Thesis, Report, or Course-based.
- Express if you have any interest in an assistantship with the program
Step 2: Identify three professional contacts (administrators, supervisors, colleagues, advisers, etc.) to write letters of reference.
Step 3: Request transcripts from undergraduate institution(s) if degree was not earned from KSU.
Step 4: Submit online application. Statement of purpose, unofficial transcripts, and requests for letters of recommendation are submitted with the application.
Once you have applied to the graduate program online and paid the application fee, you can check the status of your application or apply through the application system. Your checklist within your application page will reflect ONLY the documents you submitted.
If you have any questions or need assistance with the application, please call/email the coordinators below.
Gaea Hock, PhD
Graduate Coordinator
ghock@ksu.edu
785-532-1166
Fax: 785-532-5633
Ashley Schultz
IDEA Campus Coordinator
ideacc@ksu.edu
785-532-5493