Agricultural and Extension Education Major
Learn by teaching.
Agricultural and Extension Education is hands-on education in teaching tomorrow’s agricultural professionals. Graduates take leadership roles in schools, extension agencies, the ag industry, and government agencies, or continue their studies at graduate school.
Seed the future.
Agricultural and Extension Education grads supply the learning and inspiration for the next generation of leaders in agriculture.
We start you with the science and business tools ag professionals need. Then, we give you a hands-on exploration of the skills, methods, and mindset needed to be an expert educator, including a required 15-week student teaching internship. You'll earn an Instructional I teaching certificate to teach in Pennsylvania’s public schools. Career opportunities for our graduates remain strong in Pennsylvania and beyond.
Agricultural and Extension Education is the right major if you’re:
- passionate about working with youth, community stakeholders, and fellow educators
- interested in advocating for the agriculture industry
- want to equip students with the problem-solving skills necessary to address global challenges
See the University Bulletin for details on program requirements, suggested academic plan, and more.
One major. Two options. Infinite destinations.
Environmental Science option
Lay the groundwork for a career teaching natural resources and environmental science. Coursework focuses on biological and physical ecosystems; social, political, and legal aspects of environmental science; environmental impact management; and environmental learning.
Example Courses
- Environmental Impact Management
- Introductory Soil Science
- Biology: Populations and Communities
- Methods of Teaching Agriculture and Environmental Science
Production option
Prepare to teach in specialized areas of agriculture such as animal and plant production, forestry, and ag mechanics. Grads teach agriculture in high school programs, through cooperative extension offices, as industry professionals and representatives, and continue to grad school.
Example Courses
- Introduction to International Agriculture
- Ag Systems Management
- School-Based Program Planning and Instructional Development
Teacher certification
In cooperation with the College of Education, AEE offers a Pennsylvania Department of Education approved pathway to teacher certification. This program leads to an Instructional I teaching certificate to teach agriculture or environmental education in Pennsylvania’s public schools.
Ag Journeys
“My biggest thing about being a teacher is that I want to change lives. I want to be that person for someone.”
– Madelyn Bentz
Get ready for the classroom, outside the classroom.
Our clubs and other extracurricular activities are a great place to make friends and have fun.
Craft your experience.
Related clubs and teams
- Ag Advocates
- Collegiate 4-H
- Literacy, Education, and Agricultural Development Society
- Sustainable Agriculture Club
- See all clubs and teams
Student teaching
All Ag and Extension Education students complete a 15-week high school student teaching internship. These are completed in Pennsylvania and across the nation.
Recent internships
- Agricultural corporations
- Community agricultural agencies
- City zoos
- FFA
- Arboretums
- State government bureaus
Domestic study away
- Arizona
- Colorado
- Montana
- Tennessee
- Wisconsin
Popular study abroad
- Belize
- Malaysia
- South Korea
A practical, workforce-ready degree—and a college experience you’ll love.
Penn State Agricultural and Extension Education grads are teaching, working, leading, and learning all over the world, right now.
Our alumni out in the world
- Agricultural education
- Corporate sustainability
- Extension education
- Soil conservation organizations
- Non-profit associations
- Public and private education institutions
- Trade publications
Agricultural and Extension Education Career Options
Harness the power of a truly unique education at one of the world’s most prestigious universities. Here are just a few career examples.
School-based agricultural educator
Ag science educators use science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) when teaching high school students about, food, fiber, and natural resources. They blend dynamic instruction with hands-on activities to help students develop skills that will prepare them for the workforce or further educational opportunities.
What will I do?
- Cultivate engaging lesson plans and instructional materials to ensure effective learning
- Recruit members and manage FFA programs
- Facilitate classroom discussions
- Promote and support rural and urban agriculture settings
- Remain current on agriculture science, technology, market trends, and legislations
- Manage ag facilities (farms, grow beds, labs, animal equipment storage, etc.)
Ag industry sales representative
An ag industry sales representative combines science-based knowledge of animals, plants, soils, equipment, and more with industry business knowledge to market products to agricultural enterprises.
What will I do?
- Stay current on ag trends
- Provide exceptional customer service
- Research and understand competing companies and products
- Consult with customers on specific needs and desired outcomes
- Work with vendors to procure desired products
Extension educator
Extension educators provide science-based education to people, businesses, and communities. They work to create engaging, impactful learning experiences for participants in both formal and informal settings.
What will I do?
- Cultivate engaging lesson plans and instructional materials to ensure effective learning
- Facilitate classroom discussions
- Promote and support rural and urban agriculture settings
- Remain current on agriculture science, technology, market trends, and legislations
- Manage ag facilities (farms, grow beds, labs, animal equipment storage, etc.)
Farm-based educator/manager
A farm-based educator/manager oversees all aspects of a farm business, including informal educational opportunities for school-aged children and the general public.
What will I do?
- Plan, coordinate, and oversee onsite educational programming
- Communicate with surrounding community stakeholders about informal educational opportunities
- Coordinate and monitor plant and animal care
- Maintain equipment and farm records
Agricultural and Extension Education Students in the News
November 24, 2021
College of Ag Sciences junior grows ag education knowledge through internship
Morgan Bear, a third-year agricultural and education extension major in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, exchanged a typical classroom setting for a mobile agriculture education lab last summer as an educational intern for the Pennsylvania Friends of Agriculture Foundation.
Read More
October 6, 2021
Penn State alumnus furthers agricultural education abroad despite pandemic
After his plans to serve with the Peace Corps were disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, Manny Catala pivoted quickly to continue his service to students abroad. Catala, a 2019 graduate of Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, will teach in Ghana this year as part of the International Agricultural Education Fellowship Program.
Read More
October 13, 2020
Agricultural and extension education alumna receives national teaching award
Earlier this year, Krista Pontius, who earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in agricultural and extension education from Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, was named one of three 2020 National Teach Ag Champions.
Read More
August 10, 2020
College of Ag Sciences students receive Gilman grant for international study
Two students in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, Janelle Answer and Justin Kurtz, have received the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship.
Read More
