Skip to main content
Home / Academics / Programs

Davis College of Agriculture and Natural Resources: School for Community and Economic Development

Agricultural and Extension Education, BSAgr

Get ready for a lifelong career in agricultural teaching, extension, production and technical agriculture positions. You can also use the education you’ll gain to choose roles in government, industry or entrepreneurship where communication and leadership skills are required.

Our curriculum caters to the demands of industry —a fact underscored by the high employment rates of our graduates.

Agricultural and Extension Education majors have options! Choose one of three areas of emphasis:

  • Agriculture Teacher Education
  • Extension Education
  • Agricultural and Environmental Technology

You won’t only graduate with the knowledge and skills necessary for succeeding in those areas; you'll also be ready to take on other career paths — from marketing and selling to research and development.

Your Degree Plan The WVU Difference Learn by Doing Careers and Outcomes Admission Requirements Tuition and Aid Take the Next Steps

Your Degree Plan

Intro

Our program prepares future leaders to meet the growing needs of worldwide agriculture education and sustainable food production.

Tailor this major to your interests by focusing your coursework in one of these areas:

  • Agricultural and Environmental Technology

    Allows the flexibility of designing a curriculum to meet specific requirements of the student's field of interest (e.g., agronomy).

  • Agricultural Teacher Education

    Prepares students to meet the requirements for certification by the West Virginia Department of Education.

  • Extension Education

    Prepares students with the courses needed to enter the profession as an extension agent/educator.

Take advantage of special options related to this major:

  • Honors

    Expand your curiosity — and enhance your curriculum — through the WVU Honors College. Two programs are offered: Honors Foundations for first- and second-year students and Honors EXCEL for third- and fourth-year students.

    Explore Honors

The WVU Difference

What sets this program apart from its competitors?

  • Learn in farms and forests, our Research, Education and Outreach Centers, located throughout West Virginia.
  • Work on one of the oldest and largest certified organic university farms in the U.S.
  • Field experience consists of a 12-week period of teaching under the direction of a master teacher/educator, assisting with extension programming or working under supervision of industry professionals.
  • One of only three Agricultural and Extension Education programs in the northeast.
  • A balanced education in agriculture, leadership and communication prepares you for many agricultural careers, in addition to those in your area of emphasis.
  • Program maintains close working relationships with agricultural education teachers at the state and national level, as well as Department of Education personnel at both levels.
  • Opportunities to work with high school teachers and experience agricultural education programs from a teacher’s perspective.
  • Facilities include Agricultural Mechanics Laboratory, Animal Science Research, Education and Outreach Center, Organic Research, Education and Outreach Center, Hazel Ruby McQuain Equine Education and Resource Center; and state-of-the-art classroom equipment.
  • Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) certified.
  • 94% of agriculture teachers in West Virginia graduated from WVU.
  • Morgantown facilities include the 190-acre Agronomy Research, Education and Outreach Center, 175-acre Organic Agriculture Research, Education and Outreach Center, and the 408-acre Animal Science Research, Education and Outreach Center.
  • Small-school environment with all the resources of a large university. You’ll benefit from one-on-one faculty interactions and develop a close relationship with your faculty and peers.
Scholarships

Over 92% of WVU freshmen receive grants or scholarships (2022-2023).

Learn more

Learn by Doing

Learning happens outside the classroom. Get involved.

Students can work with faculty and participate as presenters at the American Association for Agricultural Educators Regional meeting.

In most states, teachers must go through a special training called the Curriculum for Agricultural Science Education (CASE) to become certified to teach agricultural science. Our students have the unique advantage of earning their CASE certification as they earn their degree.

Connect with other students who share your academic interests as a member of:

View all of the student organizations you can join.

Network with professionals in your field as a student member of:

Live, study and pursue outside-the-classroom learning in a residence hall community that shares your interests:

Outside of the Evansdale Crossing building.

What you learn outside of the classroom is just as important as what you learn during class. We’ll help you follow your curiosity.

Careers and Outcomes

How does this degree prepare students for a career?

Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate the management or operation of farms, ranches, greenhouses, aquacultural operations, nurseries, timber tracts, or other agricultural establishments. May hire, train, and supervise farm workers or contract for services to carry out the day-to-day activities of the managed operation. May engage in or supervise planting, cultivating, harvesting, and financial and marketing activities.

Median Salary: $83,770

Possible job titles include: Greenhouse Manager, Grower, Nursery Manager, Production Manager, Aquaculture Director.

Explore Career

Natural Sciences Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as life sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, statistics, and research and development in these fields.

Has a Bright Outlook , May require a Graduate Degree

Median Salary: $157,740

Possible job titles include: Environmental Program Manager, Natural Science Manager, Senior Investigator, Water Team Leader.

Explore Career

Agricultural Technicians

Set up or maintain laboratory equipment and collect samples from crops or animals. Prepare specimens or record data to assist scientists in biology or related life science experiments.

Has a Bright Outlook

Median Salary: $43,180

Possible job titles include: Agricultural Research Technician, Laboratory Technician (Lab Tech), Research Associate, Seed Analyst.

Explore Career

Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in the agricultural sciences. Includes teachers of agronomy, dairy sciences, fisheries management, horticultural sciences, poultry sciences, range management, and agricultural soil conservation. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

Has a Bright Outlook , May require a Graduate Degree

Median Salary: $85,260

Possible job titles include: Agriculture Professor, Animal Science Professor, Instructor, Professor.

Explore Career

Secondary School Teachers

Teach students in one or more subjects, such as English, mathematics or social studies, at the secondary level in public or private schools. May be designated according to subject matter specialty.

Median Salary: $65,220

Possible job titles include: English Teacher, Math Teacher (Mathematics Teacher), Social Studies Teacher, Teacher.

Explore Career

First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers

Directly supervise and coordinate the activities of agricultural, forestry, aquacultural, and related workers.

Median Salary: $57,320

Possible job titles include: Farm Manager, Fish Hatchery Manager, Fish Hatchery Specialist, Hatchery Manager, Wildlife Manager, Pest Management Supervisor, Logging Supervisor.

Explore Career

Career Pathways

Education
High school agriculture teacher, county extension agent, middle school agriculture teacher, principals (middle school and/or high school) and college/university instructor/professor.

Government
Natural Resources Conservation Service, Farm Service Agency, state soil conservation services, state departments of agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture and state beef councils.

Business
Farmers/ranchers, farm managers, meat inspectors, owners/operators of nursery and/or landscape companies, field supervisors for poultry producers, Farm Supply Agency managers, livestock breeding and sales associates and managers, marketing and public relations specialists and managers, employees in the Farm Credit Agency and artificial insemination companies (or DNA companies).

Admission Requirements

To be admitted to WVU's Agricultural and Extension Education major, first-time freshmen must meet WVU's first-time freshman admission requirements. Interested in transferring? Review the transfer admission requirements.

Tuition and Aid

How much does Agricultural and Extension Education at WVU cost? And how can you save?

Tuition and Fees

Estimated rates are available on our tuition website. Anyone who is not a current West Virginia resident, including international students, will be charged non-resident rates.

View Tuition and Fees

Scholarships

Estimate your eligibility for merit scholarships at WVU Morgantown.

Find Scholarships

Net Price Calculator

Estimate your cost of attendance and eligibility for financial aid and scholarships at any WVU System campus.

Visit the Net Price Calculator

Ways to Save

Here are a few ways for you to save on the cost of attending WVU in addition to university scholarships.

Financial Aid

The most important step toward funding your future with financial aid for the Agricultural and Extension Education major is submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA.

How to Complete the FAFSA

Ohio Tuition Reciprocity

As the result of a special agreement, students from Ohio who are fully admitted to Agricultural and Extension Education can enroll at WVU and pay in-state tuition rates. Students must be admitted to both the University and this major.

Learn More

Transfer Articulation Agreements

To simplify the transfer process, we have formal agreements with certain institutions. These agreements outline the courses you should take to prepare for transferring to WVU.

Review the full list of transfer articulation agreements to see if your institution is listed.

Learn How to Transfer Course Credits

Ready to take the next step?

Learn how to join the WVU family.

Request Info

Want to know more about Agricultural and Extension Education at WVU? Fill out our request form to receive more information.

Request Info

Visit

​​Experiencing campus is the best way to see if WVU is the right fit. Choose from in-person and virtual options.

Visit WVU

Apply

Your first step to becoming a Mountaineer is applying for admission using our convenient online application.

Apply Now