The Bachelor of Science degree program in Agricultural Education is administratively located in the College of Agriculture and agricultural education students are also in the College of Agriculture. The faculty who work with this program have joint appointments between the College of Agriculture and the College of Human Sciences and Education. The agricultural education degree has two concentrations. Differences between the two concentrations are indicated below. Professional education is offered through courses in methods and techniques for training youth and adults. The professional education for the teaching and learning option prepares students for formal teaching in secondary schools (grades 6-12) while the leadership and communication option prepares students for informal teaching and training, and for other agricultural education positions in business, industry, and government. In addition to professional coursework designed to prepare agricultural educators, course work is provided in various areas of agriculture, including plant and animal sciences, agricultural economics, forestry and wildlife, landscaping, entomology, agronomy, and horticulture.

Recent changes in organizations have created an explosion in the need for professionals capable of developing human capital. Rapid technological change, globalization, restructured workplaces, labor market shifts and pressure for reduced costs and increased productivity have increased demand for HRD professionals. Organizations are increasingly recognizing that human capital, along with technology, is the key to competitive advantage in the global economy. The result is that HRD professionals are more valued and more in demand than any time since World War II. Government agencies, business and industrial firms and nonprofit organizations spent approximately 125 billion dollars in 2009 on formal training for employees (ASTD). When informal, on-the-job training, management development and organization development and restructuring costs are added, this total raises to 200 billion dollars. Such huge expenditures create great demand for competent, innovative professionals to lead HRD. Recent government and industry studies have led American Society of Training and Development (ASTD) to postulate, ” the learning deficit in our nation’s workforce is as threatening to our economy as our monetary deficit.” Through the B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. programs, the SHREWD prepares students to meet the demand for HRD professionals who will lead organizations to higher levels of quality and productivity. Typical Organizations with Human Resource Development Career Paths * Professional Associations * Computers and Data Processing * Non-profit organizations * Educational Institutions * Banking * Electronics and Telecommunications * Federal, State, and Local Governments * Manufacturing * Retail Sales and Distribution * Utilities * Wholesale Sales and Distribution * Military * Consulting/Professional Service Firms * Health Care Institutions