Career & Technical Education
Teaching isn’t for everyone—you can rattle off the names of bad teachers you’ve had. But good teachers can change a life forever. The Career and Technical Education degree includes our Agricultural Education and Family and Consumer Sciences Education programs. There is strong demand for Agricultural and Family and Consumer Science educators at the middle and high school level. These teachers are instrumental in promoting and providing education about agriculture and the human sciences to new generations of leaders. As a teacher you have the opportunity to shape the future when you major in Career and Technical Education with an option in either Agricultural or Family and Consumer Science Education.
Students take courses in disciplinary, education, and professional content. Graduates of this degree pursue careers in both formal and informal education of agriculture or family and consumer sciences. Formal education opportunities include teaching in the middle school or high school classroom. Informal education opportunities include working in Extension and the public or private sectors of industry.
Agricultural Education
If you love agriculture and want to share your knowledge with kids and adults, then consider a future in agricultural education. You can specialize in one area, such as horticulture, or you may be a generalist and teach one course each in several areas. You’ll have flexibility in the ages you teach, and whether you work indoors or outdoors, or in a rural or urban setting. The broad technical agricultural background obtained in the Agricultural Education option is also good preparation for employment in the public and private sectors.
Your College Courses
The two options share a common core of education coursework that provides a solid foundation in the science of teaching and learning. Each option offers you choices. Working closely with your faculty advisor, you will shape your undergraduate degree program to match your interests and career goals.
I’ve been able to find my dream career thanks to the Agricultural Education program. I had the opportunity to learn ‘people’ skills at the same time I was enrolled in turf management courses, and now I’m representing Dow AgriSciences at golf tournaments and trade shows. How can an avid amateur golfer do better than that?
—Robert Stewart, Agricultural Education, Sales Representative
National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) Information
Potential Career Pathways
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Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics
Student Groups Associated with this Program
Our college supports dozens of organizations to help students apply their learning outside the classroom and gain valuable work and leadership experience. To learn more about the organizations listed below, click here.
- Agricultural Education Society
partners with students passionate about sharing the story of agricultural and serve affiliated youth organizations - Kentucky Education Association- Student Program
join nearly 2,500 future educators to prepare and advocate for the education field - National Association of Agricultural Educators
professionals providing agricultural education for the global community through leadership, advocacy and service
Pre-Professional Tracks
The College of Agriculture, Food and Environment has specialized advising services for students planning to attend professional school (Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Law, etc.).
In addition to helping students fulfill foundational coursework, the college's pre-professional advisor also helps student secure relevant experience such as internships, volunteer opportunities, and job shadowing positions.
For more information on the college's pre-professional advising, click here.