Agricultural Leadership, Education, & Communications: Agricultural Communications, BS

for the degree of Bachelor of Science Major in Agricultural Leadership, Education, & Communications, Agricultural Communications Concentration


Students pursuing the Agricultural Leadership, Education, & Communications, BS select from three concentrations:

for the degree of Bachelor of Science Major in Agricultural Leadership, Education, & Communications, Agricultural Communications Concentration


Graduation Requirements

Minimum hours required for graduation: 126 hours.

University Requirements

A minimum of 40 hours of upper-division coursework, generally at the 300 and 400 level. These hours can be drawn from all elements of the degree. Students should consult their academic advisor for additional guidance in fulfilling this requirement.

The University and residency requirements can be found in the Student Code (§ 3-801) and in the Academic Catalog.

General Education Requirements

Follows the campus General Education (Gen Ed) requirements. Some Gen Ed requirements may be met by courses required and/or electives in the program.

Composition I4-6
Advanced Composition3
fulfilled by AGCM 220; JOUR 200
Humanities & the Arts (6 hours)6
Natural Sciences & Technology (6 hours)6
Social & Behavioral Sciences (6 hours)6
fulfilled by CMN 232, CMN 277, or CMN 280; and ADV 150
Cultural Studies: Non-Western Cultures (1 course)3
Cultural Studies: US Minority Cultures (1 course)3
fulfilled by LEAD 340
Cultural Studies: Western/Comparative Cultures (1 course)3
Quantitative Reasoning (2 courses, at least one course must be Quantitative Reasoning I)6-10
Language Requirement (Completion of the third semester or equivalent of a language other than English is required)0-15
Major Requirements15
ALEC 110Introduction to Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communications3
ALEC 123ALEC Orientation to Illinois1
ALEC 451Professional Development in ALEC2
AGCM 220Communicating Agriculture3
LEAD 340Leadership Ethics & Society: Addressing Contemporary Challenges3
Oral Communication3-6
Let’s Talk about Food, Agriculture, and the Environment
Public Speaking
Oral & Written Comm I
and Oral & Written Comm II
Agricultural Communications Concentration Requirements54
AGCM 310Investigating Agricultural Communications3
AGCM 315Social Media Management in Agricultural Communications3
AGCM 375International Agricultural Communications3
AGCM 420Public Information Campaigns3
ALEC 393Internship in Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communications3
Select 9 additional hours of 300 or 400 level AGCM courses 9
JOUR 200Introduction to Journalism3
ADV 150Introduction to Advertising3
Select any 300- or 400-level Advertising elective course3
Select any 300- or 400-level Journalism elective course3
Select one of the following Communication electives:3
Intro to Intercultural Comm
Introduction to Mediated Communication
Comm Technology & Society
ACES 102Intro Sustainable Food Systems3
ACE 231Food and Agribusiness Mgt3
Select one of the following Animal Science electives:3
Intro to Animal Sciences
Contemporary Animal Issues
Animal Ethics
Select one of the following Food Science electives:3
The Science of Food and How it Relates to You
Contemporary Nutrition
Select one of the following Land and Environment Science electives:3
Fundamentals of Env Sci
Introduction to Crop Sciences
Environment, Agriculture, and Society
Electives
Free electives as needed to total 126 hours minimum
Total Hours:126

for the degree of Bachelor of Science Major in Agricultural Leadership, Education, & Communications, Agricultural Communications Concentration


Sample Sequence

This sample sequence is intended to be used only as a guide for degree completion. All students should work individually with their academic advisors to decide the actual course selection and sequence that works best for them based on their academic preparation and goals. Enrichment programming such as study abroad, minors, internships, and so on may impact the structure of this four-year plan. Course availability is not guaranteed during the semester indicated in the sample sequence.

Students must fulfill their Language Other Than English requirement by successfully completing a third level of a language other than English. For more information, see the corresponding section on the Degree and General Education Requirements page.

First Year
First SemesterHoursSecond SemesterHours
ALEC 1103Composition I or Oral Communication4
ALEC 1231General Education course3
Composition I or Oral Communication3General Education course3
Language Other than English (3rd level)4Free Elective course3
General Education course3ADV 1503
Free Elective course2 
 16 16
Second Year
First SemesterHoursSecond SemesterHours
AGCM 2203ACES 1023
General Education course3General Education course3
CMN 232, 277, or 2803CPSC 113, NRES 100, or CPSC 1123
AGCM elective course3JOUR 2003
Free Elective course3Free Elective course3
 Free Elective course2
 15 17
Third Year
First SemesterHoursSecond SemesterHours
LEAD 3403ADV elective course3
Free Elective course3AGCM elective course3
AGCM 3153ACE 2313
FSHN 101 or 1203AGCM 3103
Free Elective course3ANSC 101, 100, or 2553
 15 15
Fourth Year
First SemesterHoursSecond SemesterHours
ALEC 4512AGCM 4203
JOUR elective course3AGCM Elective course3
ALEC 3933Free elective course3
AGCM 3753Free Elective course3
General Education course3Free Elective course3
Free Elective course3 
 17 15
Total Hours 126

for the degree of Bachelor of Science Major in Agricultural Leadership, Education, & Communications, Agricultural Communications Concentration


  1. Within the scope of food, agriculture, human, and natural resources systems in contemporary society, ALEC students will solve challenges and take advantage of opportunities.
    1. Engage in critical thinking about current issues
    2. Assess situational strengths and obstacles
    3. Use effective communications
    4. Create solutions that respond to current issues
  2. Within the scope of food, agriculture, human, and natural resources systems in contemporary society, ALEC students will demonstrate a strong foundation in theories and empirical knowledge associated with leadership, education, and communications.
    1. Describe current and historical challenges facing people within food, agriculture, human, and natural resource systems
    2. Recall summarize and apply key theories, models, principles and terminology
    3. Apply knowledge to global contexts
    4. Integrate knowledge across courses and content areas
    5. Critique current theoretical and empirical knowledge and methodological approaches
  3. Within the scope of food, agriculture, human, and natural resources systems in contemporary society, ALEC students will lead, educate, and communicate with an awareness and commitment to inclusion.
    1. Critically examine personal backgrounds, biases, and experiences
    2. Use ethical principles and practices
    3. Facilitate environments that foster a sense of belonging

for the degree of Bachelor of Science Major in Agricultural Leadership, Education, & Communications, Agricultural Communications Concentration


Agricultural Leadership, Education, & Communications

Agricultural Leadership, Education, & Communications website

174 Bevier Hall
905 S. Goodwin Ave
Urbana, IL 61801
(217) 333-3165
aces-alec@illinois.edu

College of Agricultural, Consumer & Environmental Sciences

College of Agricultural, Consumer & Environmental Sciences website

ACES Office of Academic Programs

128 Mumford Hall
1301 West Gregory Drive
Urbana, IL 61801
(217) 333-3380
ACES-Academics@illinois.edu

Advising

Advising website
(217) 333-3570
aces-alec@illinois.edu

Admissions

ACES Undergraduate Admissions
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Undergrad Admissions
(217) 333-3380
visitACES@illinois.edu