Agricultural Leadership, Education, & Communications, BS

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

The major in Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communications is for students wishing to pursue careers in various professional contexts. The major currently offers three concentrations. Agricultural Communications, where students will learn and apply communication skills in telling the story of food, agriculture, and the environment. Students wishing to pursue a career as a teacher of agricultural science, agribusiness, agricultural mechanics, and horticulture in Illinois high schools should select the Agricultural Education concentration. The Organizational and Community Leadership concentration prepares students for supervisory, training, sales, and outreach positions in agricultural, extension, community, and governmental agencies.

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

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

Graduation Requirements

Minimum hours required for graduation: 126 hours.

University Requirements

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.

Course List
Code	Title	Hours
Composition I		4-6
Advanced Composition		3
fulfilled by AGCM 220
Humanities & the Arts (6 hours)		6
Natural Sciences & Technology (6 hours)		6
fulfilled by concentration coursework and any other course approved as Natural Sciences & Technology
Social & Behavioral Sciences (6 hours)		6-8
fulfilled by concentration coursework
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

Course List
Code	Title	Hours
Major Requirements		15
ALEC 110	Introduction to Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communications	3
ALEC 123	ALEC Orientation to Illinois	1
ALEC 451	Professional Development in ALEC	2
AGCM 220	Communicating Agriculture	3
LEAD 340	Leadership Ethics & Society: Addressing Contemporary Challenges	3
Oral Communication		3-6
ALEC 115	Let’s Talk about Food, Agriculture, and the Environment
or CMN 101	Public Speaking
or CMN 111 & CMN 112	Oral & Written Comm I and Oral & Written Comm II
Required Concentration (choose one):		52-72
Agricultural Communications		54
Agricultural Education		72
Organizational & Community Leadership		52
Electives
Free electives as needed to total 126 hours minimum
Total Hours:		126

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

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 Semester	Hours
ALEC 110	3
ALEC 123	1
Oral Communication or Composition I	3
Language Other Than English (3rd level)	4
General Education course	3
Concentration course	2
	16
Total Hours 16

First Year
Second Semester	Hours
Composition I or Oral Communication	4
General Education course	3
General Education course	3
Free Elective course	3
Concentration course	3
	16
Total Hours 16

Second Year
First Semester	Hours
AGCM 220	3
General Education course	3
General Education course	3
Concentration course	3
Free Elective course	3
	15
Total Hours 15

Second Year
Second Semester	Hours
General Education course	3
General Education course	3
General Education course	3
Concentration course	3
Concentration course	3
	15
Total Hours 15

Third Year
First Semester	Hours
LEAD 340	3
General Education course	3
Concentration course	3
Concentration course	3
Free Elective course	3
	15
Total Hours 15

Third Year
Second Semester	Hours
Concentration course	3
Concentration course	3
Concentration course	3
Concentration course	3
Concentration course	2
Free Elective course	3
	17
Total Hours 17

Fourth Year
First Semester	Hours
ALEC 451	2
Concentration course	3
Concentration course	3
Concentration course	3
General Education course	3
Free Elective course	3
	17
Total Hours 17

Fourth Year
Second Semester	Hours
Concentration course	3
Concentration course	3
Concentration course	3
Free Elective course	3
Free Elective course	3
	15
Total Hours 15

Total Hours: 126

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

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
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
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