2014-15 Academic Catalog

Agricultural and Extension Education

This is an archived copy of the 2014-15 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://catalog.msstate.edu.

Graduate Coordinator: Dr. Kirk Swortzel
214 Lloyd-Ricks-Watson Building
Box 9745
Mississippi State, MS  39762
Telephone: 662-325-7837
E-mail: kswortzel@humansci.msstate.edu

The Agricultural Information Science and Education Program in the School of Human Sciences offers graduate courses leading to the following degrees:

  1. Master of Science in Agricultural and Extension Education with a concentration in Teaching or Leadership
  2. Doctor of Philosophy in Agricultural Sciences with a concentration in Agricultural and Extension Education

Admission Criteria

To obtain admission to the graduate program, the applicant must meet all the general requirements of the Office of the Graduate School.  A student applying to the Master of Science teacher certification concentration must have an undergraduate degree in an agriculturally-related field and submit GRE scores.  The student must qualify for admission to teacher education by presenting an ACT score of 21 (SAT equivalent of 860) with no sub-score below 18, or by obtaining at least the following scores:

Pre-Professional Skills Test (PPST)

Subject Score
Reading156
Writing162
Mathematics150

The applicant for the doctoral degree must have a 3.00 GPA on a 4.00 scale in all prior graduate study.

Provisional Admission

The student who has not fully met the requirements stipulated by the University and the appropriate department for admission to graduate study may be granted admission as a degree-seeking graduate student with provisional status.  Such students must have as their initial objective advancement to regular status. A provisional student must receive a 3.00 GPA on the first 9 hours of graduate-level courses on the program of study taken at Mississippi State University in order to achieve regular status.  Courses with an S grade, transfer credits, or credits earned while in Unclassified status cannot be used to satisfy this requirement.  If a 3.00 is not attained, the provisional student may be dismissed from graduate study.  While in provisional status, a student is not eligible to hold a graduate assistantship.

Academic Performance

Unsatisfactory performance may be defined as the failure to maintain a B average in graduate courses attempted after admission to the program, a grade of U, D, or F in any course, more than two grades below a B, failure of the preliminary/comprehensive examination, an unsatisfactory evaluation of a thesis or dissertation, failure of the research defense, or any other failure of a required component on one’s program of study.  Any one of these or a combination of these may constitute the basis for the termination of a student’s graduate study in a degree program.

Upon the recommendation of the major professor or the graduate coordinator, and the dean, a student whose academic work is unsatisfactory at any period during a given semester or term may be forced to withdraw from a graduate program.  The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences defines “unsatisfactory” as making more than two grades below C.  A student forced to withdraw can appeal to department faculty.  If upheld by the faculty, then the student can submit a written appeal to the director.  If upheld there, the student may appeal to the dean of the college.

Master of Science in Agricultural and Extension Education with Leadership Concentration - Thesis

Core Courses
AIS 8803Applying Research Methods to Agricultural Information Science and Education3
or AIS 8703 Evaluation of Agricultural Information Science and Education Programs
AIS 8403Directing Learning Experience in Agricultural Information Science and Education3
AIS 8503Program Planning and Development in Agricultural Information Science and Education3
AIS 8413Methods of Planned Change in Agricultural and Extension Education3
AIS 8801Graduate Professional Seminar in AIS1
AIS 8263Public Relations in Agricultural Information Science and Education3
or AIS 8203 Advanced Communication in Agricultural Information Science and Education
Graduate-level electives including a required statistics course9
Thesis
AIS 8000Thesis Research/ Thesis in Agricultural Information Science and Education6
Total Hours31

Master of Science in Agricultural and Extension Education with Leadership Concentration - Non-Thesis

AIS 8803Applying Research Methods to Agricultural Information Science and Education3
or AIS 8703 Evaluation of Agricultural Information Science and Education Programs
AIS 8403Directing Learning Experience in Agricultural Information Science and Education3
AIS 8503Program Planning and Development in Agricultural Information Science and Education3
AIS 8413Methods of Planned Change in Agricultural and Extension Education3
AIS 8801Graduate Professional Seminar in AIS1
AIS 8263Public Relations in Agricultural Information Science and Education3
or AIS 8203 Advanced Communication in Agricultural Information Science and Education
Graduate-level coursework9
AIS 8100Creative Component Project in AEE6
Total Hours31

The remaining courses in the leadership concentration may be a combination of approved electives or those courses to comprise a minor.  A faculty member from the minor area should also be a member of the student’s graduate committee.

Master of Science in Agricultural and Extension Education with Teaching Concentration - Thesis

EPY 6033Application of Learning Theories in Educational and Related Settings3
or AIS 8693 Philosophical Foundations of Agriculture and Extension Education
EDX 8173Special Education in the Regular Classroom3
AIS 8503Program Planning and Development in Agricultural Information Science and Education3
AIS 8403Directing Learning Experience in Agricultural Information Science and Education3
AIS 6113Methods of Teaching Agriscience3
AIS 6403Development of Youth Programs3
AIS 8000Thesis Research/ Thesis in Agricultural Information Science and Education6
AIS 6703Experiential Learning Programs in Agriculture3
AIS 8603Teaching Internship in AEE I.3
AIS 8613Teaching Internship in AEEII3
AIS 8801Graduate Professional Seminar in AIS1
Total Hours34

A student who chooses to complete a thesis must pass a final thesis defense and submit the thesis to complete degree requirements.

Depending on the courses taken at the undergraduate level, a student in the teaching concentration may be required to take 3-6 additional hours of prerequisite coursework.

Faculty in Agricultural Information Science and Education must approve substitutions for any of the above courses. 

Master of Science in Agricultural and Extension Education with Teaching Concentration - Non-Thesis

EPY 6033Application of Learning Theories in Educational and Related Settings3
or AIS 8693 Philosophical Foundations of Agriculture and Extension Education
EDX 8173Special Education in the Regular Classroom3
AIS 6113Methods of Teaching Agriscience3
AIS 6403Development of Youth Programs3
AIS 6703Experiential Learning Programs in Agriculture3
AIS 8100Creative Component Project in AEE6
AIS 8403Directing Learning Experience in Agricultural Information Science and Education3
AIS 8503Program Planning and Development in Agricultural Information Science and Education3
AIS 8603Teaching Internship in AEE I.3
AIS 8613Teaching Internship in AEEII3
AIS 8801Graduate Professional Seminar in AIS1
Total Hours34

A student who chooses to complete a Creative Component Project must pass the final defense of the Creative Component and complete an oral comprehensive examination over all coursework completed.

Depending on the courses taken at the undergraduate level, a student in the teaching concentration may be required to take 3-6 additional hours of prerequisite coursework.

Faculty in Agricultural Information Science and Education must approve substitutions for any of the above courses. 

A student must have earned at least a 3.00 GPA on coursework taken on the program to be eligible to enroll in AIS 8603 and AIS 8613  (teaching internship).  An Application for Admission to Student Teaching form must be submitted to the Director of Clinical/Field Based Instruction one semester prior to student teaching.  The student must submit the minimum Praxis II – Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades 7-12 (PLT) score as required by the Mississippi State University College of Education to meet graduation requirements and to the Mississippi Department of Education to obtain licensure.  To be eligible for graduation, students must have a 3.00 GPA after completion of all coursework and internships.

To secure a Mississippi educator’s license, the student must request that ETS send a copy of his or her score on the Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT) to Mississippi State University (Code R1480) or to MSU Meridian (Code R3336).  It is imperative that the student retains the originals of test scores in a safe place.

In accordance with statutory provisions, the Mississippi Department of Education, Jackson, Mississippi, has adopted the rules and regulations on issuing and renewing teaching licenses, which are set forth in Guidelines for Mississippi Educator Licensure, July 1999.  The licensure program is applicable to all teacher licenses.  Satisfactory completion of any teaching curriculum offered by the College of Education will enable the graduate to apply for teaching licensure in Mississippi, but this institution can neither waive any licensure requirements nor authorize substitutions for mandatory courses.  Mississippi State University has submitted and received approval for its programs. Consequently, a student who plans to transfer from another university or college to the College of Education should consult with the Director of Clinical/Field-Based instruction or an advisor in the College of Education to ascertain the general education, professional educational, and specialized education courses which must be completed to obtain a teaching license in the field or fields of his or her choice.  Since teacher licenses are issued by the Mississippi Department of Education only, and not by the teacher education institutions, applications for licensure and original test scores must be filed with the Mississippi Department of Education by the applicant.  Information concerning teacher licensure can be obtained from the Office of Clinical/Field-Based Instruction and Outreach.

Doctor of Philosophy in Agricultural Sciences, Agricultural and Extension Education Concentration

Agricultural and Extension Education
AIS 8593Historical Foundations of Agriculture and Human Science3
AIS 8693Philosophical Foundations of Agriculture and Extension Education3
AIS 8243Administration and Supervision in Agricultural Information Science and Education3
AIS 8513Volunteer Development in Agricultural and Extension Education3
AIS 8413Methods of Planned Change in Agricultural and Extension Education3
Other Agricultural and Extension Education credits15-21
Statistics, Research, and Evaluation
AIS 8803Applying Research Methods to Agricultural Information Science and Education3
AIS 8703Evaluation of Agricultural Information Science and Education Programs3
AIS 9583Analysis and Interpretation of Data in Ag and Extension Education Research3
EPY 8214Advanced Educational and Psychological Statistics4
EPY 9213Advanced Analysis in Educational Research3
Minor or Supporting Area
Gradulate-level coursework12-18
Electives
Graduate-level coursework0-12
Dissertation
AIS 9000Dissertation Research/ Dissertation in Agricultural Information Science and Education20
Total Hours78-102

The minimum requirement for the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree is the completion of 90 semester hours of graduate credit on an approved program of study above the bachelor’s degree.  This 90-hour requirement can be partially met by previous graduate coursework.

Students must pass a written and an oral comprehensive examination in both the major and minor/supporting area. To be eligible for the preliminary/comprehensive examination, a graduate student must have a 3.00 GPA on all graduate courses taken after admission to the degree program. Students must also pass the final dissertation examination.  The student’s graduate committee supervises the dissertation and examinations.

AIS 6103 Objectives and procedures of Programs in Agricultural Information Science and Education: 3 hours.

(Prerequisite: Junior standing). Three hours lecture. Identification and development of objectives; techniques used in Agricultural and Extension educational procedures; relationships with U.S.D.A., experiment stations, and other agrucultural agencies

AIS 6113 Methods of Teaching Agriscience: 3 hours.

Prerequisite: AIS 4203/6203 or consent of instructor. Two hours lecture. Four hours laboratory. Objectives, materials, and teaching methods for planning, organizing, and managing agricultural science programs

AIS 6203 Applications of Information Technologies in Agricultural Information Science and Education: 3 hours.

Prerequisite: CS 1013 or BIS 3713 or equivalent). Two-hours lecture and two-hours laboratory. Application of micro- computer technology in agricultural and extension education; data storage and retrieval; and use of canned computer programs in agricultural and educational settings

AIS 6403 Development of Youth Programs: 3 hours.

Three hours lecture. Needs and interests of youth; developing, managing, and evaluating formal and non-formal youth education programs; volunteer and paraprofessional staff development; securing and developing supportive services

AIS 6503 International Agricultural Education: 3 hours.

Three hours lecture. Examination of formal and non-formal agricultural education systems and related situations and processes that influence agricultural development in developing countries

AIS 6703 Experiential Learning Programs in Agriculture: 3 hours.

Theory and practice in planning experiential learning projects for you in agriculture; roles and responsibilities of teachers and extension agents in supervising and evaluating programs

AIS 6990 Special Topics in Agricultural Information Science and Education: 1-9 hours.

Credit and title to be arranged. This course is to be used on a limited basis to offer developing subject matter areas not covered in existing courses. (Courses limited to two offerings under one title within two academic years)

AIS 7000 Directed Individual Study in Agricultural Information Science and Education: 1-6 hours.

Hours and credits to be arranged

AIS 8000 Thesis Research/ Thesis in Agricultural Information Science and Education: 1-13 hours.

Hours and credits to be arranged

AIS 8100 Creative Component Project in AEE: 1-6 hours.

Capstone experience supervised by student’s major professor and master’s committee. Individual project involving application of coursework to the student’s career goal. (Hours and credits to be arranged)

AIS 8203 Advanced Communication in Agricultural Information Science and Education: 3 hours.

Two hours lecture. (1 1/2 hours each). Updating of priciples of communicating information in the fields of agriculture/ agribusiness, natural resources, and home economics; review and updating of communications techniques

AIS 8243 Administration and Supervision in Agricultural Information Science and Education: 3 hours.

Three hours lecture. Principles in developing and administering programs in agricultural and extension education with attention to federal-state-local relationships and surpervisory procedures

AIS 8263 Public Relations in Agricultural Information Science and Education: 3 hours.

Three hours lecture. Publics to be dealt with, public relations media; methods and techniques of establishing and maintaining desirable public relations

AIS 8403 Directing Learning Experience in Agricultural Information Science and Education: 3 hours.

Two hours lecture. Two hours laboratory. Theory and practice in directing learning activities. Using instructional technology. Delivering instruction for formal and non-formal groups

AIS 8413 Methods of Planned Change in Agricultural and Extension Education: 3 hours.

Three hours lecture.A study of the theories and processes used by change agents to plan, influence and accomplish change in social, educational and corporate environments

AIS 8503 Program Planning and Development in Agricultural Information Science and Education: 3 hours.

Three hours lecture. Principles, theory, and practice in developing local and state programs of vocational, technical, and extension education

AIS 8513 Volunteer Development in Agricultural and Extension Education: 3 hours.

Three hours lecture. Principles, theory and practice of volunteer development in extension education, high schools, communities, and/or non-profit organizations

AIS 8523 Teaching Out-of-School Groups in Agricultural Information Science and Education: 3 hours.

Three hours lecture. Orginizing, planning, and instructing out-of-school groups in agricultural and extension education; identifying and assessing needs of clientele; and evaluating effectiveness

AIS 8593 Historical Foundations of Agriculture and Human Science: 3 hours.

Three hours lecture. Historical development of agricultural education/human sciences program; implications, influences, and evaluation of polices impacting the future of agricultural education and human sciences

AIS 8603 Teaching Internship in AEE I.: 3 hours.

(Co-requisite: AIS 8613). Professional full-day public school teaching experience in diverse settings and grade levels for 8 weeks (320 hours) under classroom mentor teachers and university supervisors

AIS 8606 Teaching Internship in Agricultural Information Science and Education: 6 hours.

(Prerequisites: Admission to the graduate certification pro- gram, teacher education and student teaching). Supervised observation and directed teaching in Agricultural Infor- mation Science and Education

AIS 8613 Teaching Internship in AEEII: 3 hours.

(Co-requisite: AIS 8603). Professional full-day public school experience in diverse settings and grade levels for 8 weeks (320 hours) under classroom mentor teachers and university supervisors

AIS 8693 Philosophical Foundations of Agriculture and Extension Education: 3 hours.

Three hours lecture. Philosophies, foundational theories, and research on teaching and learning process applied to formal and non-formal programs in agricultural and extension education

AIS 8703 Evaluation of Agricultural Information Science and Education Programs: 3 hours.

Three hours lecture. Evaluation principles and procedures used in developing and analyzing vocational, technical, and extension education programs

AIS 8801 Graduate Professional Seminar in AIS: 1 hour.

One hour lecture. Preparing research adn programs for publication and dissemination and participating as a professional in the publication process

AIS 8803 Applying Research Methods to Agricultural Information Science and Education: 3 hours.

Three hours lecture. Principles and techniques for planning, conducting, and reporting research; development of effective design of research problems; emphasis on understanding and evaluating scientific reports

AIS 8990 Special Topics in Agricultural Information Science and Education: 1-9 hours.

Credit and title to be arranged. This course is to be used on a limited basis to offer developing subject matter areas not covered in existing courses. (Courses limited to two offerings under one title within two academic years)

AIS 9000 Dissertation Research/ Dissertation in Agricultural Information Science and Education: 1-13 hours.

Hours and credits to be arranged

AIS 9583 Analysis and Interpretation of Data in Ag and Extension Education Research: 3 hours.

(Prerequisite: permission of instructor). Three hours lecture. Principles and techniques for collecting, analyzing, and reporting research in agricultural and extension education. Emphasis on student research project development, student authorship