Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication

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Description

General Information

A degree in agricultural leadership, education and communication is designed to prepare students with the necessary communication and interpersonal skills, leadership training, and knowledge of technical agriculture, natural resources, and environmental sciences for employment in agribusiness leadership training and/or development, teaching school based agricultural education, and/or careers in communications, advocacy, and public service. The core curriculum gives students a balanced education in communications, leadership development and the teaching and learning process.

Options

Each ALEC student studies a core curriculum that provides a comprehensive approach to human development through leadership, education and communication preparing for a wide range of careers in the human sciences. In addition to the core, there are four different options from which students can choose an area of focus that meets their individual interests and career objectives. These options include:

  • Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Communication
  • Leadership
  • Agricultural Education*
  • Skilled and Technical Sciences*


*Both agricultural education and skilled and technical sciences options lead to a recommendation for Nebraska teacher certification.

Major Department Admission

(Applies only to agricultural education and skilled and technical sciences options)

Student teaching is conducted off campus through university-approved agreements with cooperating secondary schools. Plans for student teaching must be made early.

To be admitted into the student teaching program candidates must have:

  1. A minimum scholastic grade point average of 2.75, including no grades lower than C within the endorsement area and no grade lower than C+ within professional education courses.
  2. One thousand (1,000) hours of verified paid work experience within their intended teaching endorsement area or 300 hours of supervised employment under the direction of a University of Nebraska–Lincoln academic unit.

ALEC 431 Student Teaching is available as Pass/No Pass only. Meet with your advisor to plan for your student teaching experience.

Nebraska Teaching Certificate Requirements

To qualify for a Nebraska Department of Education (NDE) issued teaching certificate a student must successfully complete the teaching endorsement requirements. NDE also requires an institutional verification from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln Certification Officer.

Such certification will include a broad field endorsement to teach either secondary agricultural education or skilled and technical science (6-12). The choice is available to students completing an agricultural education endorsement to complete additional coursework qualifying for subject endorsement in biology. 

Students in other agricultural degree programs may qualify based upon meeting endorsement and teaching certificate requirements.

Criminal History/Background Check

Effective August 2024, individuals enrolled in any Nebraska teacher education course requiring a practicum experience in schools or other institutions must have successfully completed a background review prior to any practicum visitations. One successful background check will be required during your teacher preparation program; one prior to your initial practicum experience and completing a self-report form prior to your student teaching field experience. If any new charges or convictions are acquired after a background check has been completed, students are required to report those to the Director of Field Experiences immediately after the event occurs. Depending upon the infraction or change, an additional background check may be required at your cost. For more information, contact Tylee Hanson (thanson9@unl.edu). You are obligated to immediately report a change in criminal history. Background reviews must be completed through the CEHS vendor. See your advisor or practicum course instructor for the necessary details to request and complete a background review.
 

College Requirements

College Admission

Requirements for admission into the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources (CASNR) are consistent with general University admission requirements (one unit equals one high school year): 4 units of English, 4 units of mathematics, 3 units of natural sciences, 3 units of social sciences, and 2 units of world language. Students must also meet performance requirements: a 3.0 cumulative high school grade point average OR an ACT composite of 20 or higher, writing portion not required OR a score of 1040 or higher on the SAT Critical Reading and Math sections OR rank in the top one-half of graduating class; transfer students must have a 2.0 (on a 4.0 scale) cumulative grade point average and 2.0 on the most recent term of attendance.

Admission Deficiencies/Removal of Deficiencies

Students who are admitted to CASNR with core course deficiencies must remove these deficiencies within the first 30 credit hours at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, or within the first calendar year at Nebraska, whichever takes longer. College-level coursework taken to remove deficiencies may be used to meet degree requirements in CASNR.

Deficiencies in the required entrance subjects can be removed by the completion of specified courses in the University or by correspondence.

The Office of Admissions, Alexander Building (south entrance), City Campus, provides information to new students on how deficiencies can be removed.

College Degree Requirements

Curriculum Requirements

The curriculum requirements of the College consist of three areas: ACE (Achievement-Centered Education), College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources Core, and Degree Program requirements and electives. All three areas of the College Curriculum Requirements are incorporated within the description of the Major/Degree Program sections of the catalog. The individual major/degree program listings of classes ensure that a student will meet the minimum curriculum requirements of the College.

World Languages/Language Requirement

Two units of a world language are required. This requirement is usually met with two years of high school language.

Experiential Learning

All undergraduates in the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources must take an Experiential Learning (EL) designated course. This may include 0-credit courses designed to document co-curricular activities recognized as Experiential Learning.

Minimum Hours Required for Graduation

The College grants the bachelors degree in programs associated with agricultural sciences, natural resources, and related programs. Students working toward a degree must earn at least 120 semester hours of credit. A minimum cumulative grade point average of C (2.0 on a 4.0 scale) must be maintained throughout the course of studies and is required for graduation. Some degree programs have a higher cumulative grade point average required for graduation. Please check the degree program on its graduation cumulative grade point average.

Grade Rules

Removal of C-, D, and F Grades

Only the most recent letter grade received in a given course will be used in computing a student’s cumulative grade point average if the student has completed the course more than once and previously received a grade or grades below C in that course.

The previous grade (or grades) will not be used in the computation of the cumulative grade point average, but it will remain a part of the academic record and will appear on any transcript.

A student can remove from their cumulative average a course grade of C-, D+, D, D-, or F if the student repeats the same course at the University of Nebraska and receives a grade other than P (pass), I (incomplete), N (no pass), W (withdrew), or NR (no report). If a course is no longer being offered, it is not eligible for the revised grade point average computation process.

For complete procedures and regulations, see the Office of the University Registrar website at http://www.unl.edu/regrec/course-repeats.

Pass/No Pass

Students in CASNR may take any course offered on a Pass/No Pass basis within the 24-hour limitation established by the Faculty Senate. However, a department may specify that the Pass/No Pass status of its courses be limited to non-majors or may choose to offer some courses for letter grades only.

GPA Requirements

A minimum cumulative grade point average of C (2.0 on a 4.0 scale) must be maintained throughout the course of studies and is required for graduation. Some degree programs have a higher cumulative grade point average required for graduation. Please check the degree program on its graduation cumulative grade point average.

Transfer Credit Rules

To be considered for admission a transfer student, Nebraska resident or nonresident, must have an accumulated average of C (2.0 on a 4.0 scale) and a minimum C average in the last semester of attendance at another college. Transfer students who have completed less than 12 credit hours of college study must submit either ACT or SAT scores.

Ordinarily, credits earned at an accredited college are accepted by the University. The College, however, will evaluate all hours submitted on an application for transfer and reserves the right to accept or reject any of them. Sixty (60) is the maximum number of hours the University will accept on transfer from a two-year college. Ninety (90) is the maximum number of hours the University will accept from a four-year college. Transfer credit in the degree program must be approved by the degree program advisor on a Request for Substitution Form to meet specific course requirements, group requirements, or course level requirements in the major. At least 9 hours in the major field, including the capstone course, must be completed at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln regardless of the number of hours transferred.

The College will accept no more than 10 semester hours of C-, D+, D, and D- grades from other schools. The C-, D+, D, and D- grades can only be applied to free electives. This policy does not apply to the transfer of grades from UNO or UNK to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.

Joint Academic Transfer Programs

The College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources has agreements with many institutions to support joint academic programs. The transfer programs include dual degree programs and cooperative degree programs. Dual degree programs offer students the opportunity to receive a degree from a participating institution and also to complete the requirements for a bachelor of science degree in CASNR. Cooperative programs result in a single degree from either the University of Nebraska–Lincoln or the cooperating institution.

Dual Degree Programs

A to B Programs

The A to B Program, a joint academic program offered by the CASNR and participating technical and community colleges, allows students to complete up to 60 credits of a degree program at the participating technical or community college and continue their education and study in a degree program leading toward a bachelor of science degree.

The A to B Program provides a basic knowledge plus specialized coursework. Students transfer into CASNR with junior standing.

Depending on the technical or community college, students enrolled in the A to B Program may complete the requirements for an associate of science degree, transfer to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, and work toward a bachelor of science degree.

Participating technical and community colleges include:

  • Central Community College
  • Metropolitan Community College
  • Mid-Plains Community College
  • Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture
  • Nebraska Indian Community College
  • Northeast Community College
  • Southeast Community College
  • Western Nebraska Community College

3+2 Programs

Two specialized degree programs in animal science and veterinary science are offered jointly with an accredited college or school of veterinary medicine. These two programs permit CASNR animal science or veterinary science students to receive a bachelor of science degree from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln with a degree in animal science or veterinary science after successfully completing two years of the professional curriculum in veterinary medicine at an accredited veterinary school. Students who successfully complete the 3+2 Program, must provide transcripts and complete the Application for Degree form via MyRED. Students without MyRED access may apply for graduation in person at Husker Hub in the Canfield Administration Building, or by mail. Students should discuss these degree programs with their academic advisor.

Cooperative Degree Programs

Academic credit from the University and a cooperating institution are applied towards a four-year degree from either the University of Nebraska–Lincoln (University degree-granting program) or the cooperating institution (non-University degree-granting program). All have approved programs of study.

UNL Degree-Granting Programs

A University of Nebraska–Lincoln degree-granting program is designed to provide students the opportunity to complete a two-year program of study at one of the four-year institutions listed below, transfer to CASNR, and complete the requirements for a bachelor of science degree.
 

Chadron State College. Chadron State College offers a 2+2 program leading to a grassland ecology and management degree program and a transfer program leading to a bachelor of science in agricultural education in the teaching option.

Wayne State College. Wayne State College offers a 3+1 program leading to a bachelor of science in plant biology in the ecology and management option and a 3+1 program leading to a bachelor of science in Applied Science.

University of Nebraska at Kearney. Transfer programs are available for students pursuing degree programs leading to a bachelor of science degree.

University of Nebraska at Omaha. Transfer programs are available for students pursuing degree programs leading to a bachelor of science degree.

Non University of Nebraska–Lincoln Degree-Granting Programs

CASNR cooperates with other institutions to provide coursework that is applied towards a degree at the cooperating institution. Pre-professional programs offered by CASNR allow students to complete the first two or three years of a degree program at the University prior to transferring and completing a degree at the cooperating institution.
 

Chadron State College–Range Science. The 3+1 Program in range science allows Chadron State College students to pursue a range science degree through Chadron State College. Students complete three years of coursework at Chadron State College and one year of specialized range science coursework (32 credit hours) at CASNR.

Residency

Students must complete at least 30 of the total hours for their degree using University of Nebraska–Lincoln credits. At least 18 of the 30 credit hours must be in courses offered through CASNR1 (>299) including the appropriate ACE 10 degree requirement or an approved ACE 10 substitution offered through another Nebraska college and excluding independent study regardless of the number of hours transferred. Credit earned during education abroad may be used toward the residency requirement if students register through the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and participate in prior-approved education abroad programs. The University of Nebraska–Lincoln open enrollment and summer independent study courses count toward residence.

1

Includes courses taught by CASNR faculty through interdisciplinary prefixes (e.g., LIFE, MBIO, ENVR, SCIL, EAEP, ENSC) and CASNR crosslisted courses taught by non-CASNR faculty.

Online and Distance Education

There are many opportunities to earn college credit online through the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. Some of these credits may be applicable not only as elective credits but also toward the fulfillment of the College’s education requirements. Credits earned online may count toward residency. However, certain offerings may not be counted toward scholarship requirements or academic recognition criteria.

For further information, contact:

Office of Online and Distance Education
University of Nebraska–Lincoln
305 Brace Labs
Lincoln, NE 68588-0109
402-472-4681
http://online.unl.edu/

Independent Study Rules

Students wishing to take part in independent studies must obtain permission; complete and sign a contract form; and furnish copies of the contract to the instructor, advisor, departmental office, and the Dean’s Office. The contract should be completed before registration. Forms are available in 103 Agricultural Hall or online at the CASNR website.

Independent study projects include research, literature review or extension of coursework under the supervision and evaluation of a departmental faculty member.

Students may only count 12 hours of independent study toward their degrees and no more than 6 hours can be counted during their last 36 hours earned, excluding senior thesis, internships, and courses taught under an independent study number.

Other College Degree Requirements

Capstone Course Requirement

A capstone course is required for each CASNR degree program. A capstone course is defined as a course in which students are required to integrate diverse bodies of knowledge to solve a problem or formulate a policy of societal importance.

ACE Requirements

All students must fulfill the Achievement Centered Education (ACE) requirements. Information about the ACE program may be viewed at ace.unl.edu.

The minimum requirements of CASNR reflect the common core of courses that apply to students pursuing degrees in the college. Students should work with an advisor to satisfy ACE outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 10 with the college requirements.

Catalog Rule

Students must fulfill the requirements stated in the catalog for the academic year in which they are first admitted to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln or when they were first admitted to a Joint Academic Transfer Program. Students transferring from a community college, but without admission to a Joint Academic Transfer Program, may be eligible to fulfill the requirements as stated in the catalog for an academic year in which they were enrolled at the community college prior to attending the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. This decision should be made in consultation with academic advisors, provided the student a) was enrolled in a community college during the catalog year they are utilizing, b) maintained continuous enrollment at the previous institution for 1 academic year or more, and c) continued enrollment at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln within 1 calendar year from their last term at the previous institution. In consultation with advisors, a student may choose to follow a subsequent catalog for any academic year in which they are admitted to and enrolled as a degree-seeking student at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. Students must complete all degree requirements from a single catalog year. The catalog which a student follows for degree requirements may not be more than 10 years old at the time of graduation.

Learning Outcomes

Graduates of agricultural leadership, education and communication will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate effective written, visual, and oral communication to communicate to diverse audiences about agricultural and environmental sciences.
  2. Apply leadership knowledge, skills, and competencies to analyze, evaluate, and solve issues effectively with people from diverse backgrounds and perspectives in complex and global environments.
  3. Design and deliver an instructional program that will engage an audience, meet identified learning objectives, and assess learning.
  4. Demonstrate critical thinking, problem solving, and reflective skills to become life-long learners and engage in continual professional growth.

Graduates in the agricultural and environmental sciences communication option will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate competence in visual and written communication techniques.
  2. Apply communication concepts, theories, and principles of critical thinking to real world issues facing agriculture and the environment.
  3. Understand diverse perspectives related to food, fuel, water, landscapes, and people in Nebraska, nationally and globally.
  4. Communicate agricultural and environmental science information in lay language to targeted audiences.

Graduates in the agricultural education option will be able to:

  1. Understand the central concepts, tools of inquiry, and structures of the disciplines he or she teaches and can create learning experiences that make these aspects of subject matter meaningful for students.
  2. Understand how children learn and develop and can provide learning opportunities that support their intellectual, social, and personal development.
  3. Understand how students differ in their approaches to learning and create instructional opportunities that are adapted to diverse learners.
  4. Understand and use a variety of instructional strategies to encourage student’s development of critical thinking, problem solving, and performance skills.
  5. Use an understanding of individual and group motivation and behavior to create a learning environment that encourages positive social interaction, active engagement in learning, and self-motivation.
  6. Use knowledge of effective verbal, nonverbal, and media communication techniques to foster active inquiry, collaboration, and supportive interaction in the classroom.
  7. Plan instruction based upon knowledge of subject manner, students, the community, and curriculum goals.
  8. Understand and use formal and informal assessment strategies to evaluate and ensure the continuous intellectual, social, and physical development of the learner.
  9. Be a reflective practitioner who continually evaluates the effects of his/her choices and actions on others (students, parents and other professionals in the learning community) and who actively seeks out opportunities to grow professionally.
  10. Foster relationships with school colleagues, parents, professional organizations, and agencies in the larger community to support students' learning and well-being. 

Graduates in the skilled and technical sciences option will be able to:

  1. Understand the central concepts, tools of inquiry, and structures of the disciplines he or she teaches and can create learning experiences that make these aspects of subject matter meaningful for students.
  2. Understand how children learn and develop and can provide learning opportunities that support their intellectual, social, and personal development.
  3. Understand how students differ in their approaches to learning and create instructional opportunities that are adapted to diverse learners.
  4. Understand and use a variety of instructional strategies to encourage student’s development of critical thinking, problem solving, and performance skills.
  5. Use an understanding of individual and group motivation and behavior to create a learning environment that encourages positive social interaction, active engagement in learning, and self-motivation.
  6. Use knowledge of effective verbal, nonverbal, and media communication techniques to foster active inquiry, collaboration, and supportive interaction in the classroom.
  7. Plan instruction based upon knowledge of subject manner, students, the community, and curriculum goals.
  8. Understand and use formal and informal assessment strategies to evaluate and ensure the continuous intellectual, social, and physical development of the learner.
  9. Be a reflective practitioner who continually evaluates the effects of his/her choices and actions on others (students, parents and other professionals in the learning community) and who actively seeks out opportunities to grow professionally.
  10. Foster relationships with school colleagues, parents, professional organizations, and agencies in the larger community to support students' learning and well-being. 

Graduates in the leadership option will be able to:

  1. Apply knowledge of leadership theories, models, and behaviors to solve problems in agricultural and environmental sciences fields and beyond.
  2. Develop competence to apply leadership skills at the individual, team, and organizational/community levels.
  3. Develop critical thinking skills to analyze and evaluate leadership issues in complex and global environments.
  4. Develop a level of self-awareness as well as the cognitive and emotional ability to effectively work with and develop people from diverse backgrounds and perspectives.
  5. Develop and implement a personal plan for transfer of knowledge, skills, and behaviors gained to career/professional life via a guided capstone internship.