BS in Agriculture Food and Natural Resources Education

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Michigan State University

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources Education at Michigan State University prepares students to become educators and leaders in agriculture, food systems, and natural resources while building a strong foundation in sustainability and community engagement. Designed for students interested in teaching, extension, government, nonprofit, or agricultural education careers, the program combines scientific knowledge with hands-on teaching experiences, internships, and real-world learning opportunities.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students establish a strong scientific foundation by studying subjects such as Introductory Animal Agriculture, Introduction to Crop Science, and Cell and Molecular Biology. They also begin exploring the role of sustainability and agriculture in society through introductory coursework that connects biological sciences with agricultural systems.

Year 2: The second year develops knowledge of agricultural and environmental systems through courses including Introduction to Sustainability, Fundamentals of Soil Science, and Introduction to Forestry. Students also begin instructional theory with Seminar in Instructional Theory I – Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources Education, preparing them for future teaching and leadership roles.

Year 3: Students strengthen both technical and teaching competencies by studying Foundations of Teaching Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, Community Food and Agriculture Systems, and Campus Apprenticeship in Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources Education. Coursework emphasizes instructional methods, sustainability, community engagement, and practical educational experiences.

Year 4: The final year focuses on professional preparation through courses such as Professional Internship in Community Sustainability, Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources Apprenticeship/Clinical Experience, and Instructional Design and Assessment in Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources Education (teacher certification pathway). Students complete extensive field experiences that prepare them for careers in agricultural education, extension, or graduate study.

Focus Areas: Agricultural education, food systems, sustainability, natural resources, crop science, animal agriculture, environmental stewardship, instructional theory, community food systems, experiential learning, leadership development, agricultural communication.

Learning Outcomes: Develop expertise in agriculture, food, and natural resource systems; apply effective teaching and instructional design strategies; promote sustainable agricultural practices; engage communities through education and outreach; integrate scientific knowledge into agricultural education; demonstrate leadership, communication, and professional skills; prepare for teacher certification, extension, nonprofit, government, or graduate study.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation): Students pursuing the teaching pathway complete Michigan State University's teacher certification requirements and, together with the required work experience, are recommended for the Michigan Career and Technical Education teaching endorsement in Agricultural Education.

Reputation (Employability Rankings): Michigan State University is internationally recognized for excellence in agriculture and natural resources and is consistently ranked among the world's leading universities for Agriculture & Forestry in the QS World University Rankings by Subject, providing graduates with strong industry recognition and employment opportunities.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Students in the B.S. in Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources Education at Michigan State University develop practical teaching and agricultural expertise through classroom instruction, laboratory experiences, clinical teaching, and professional fieldwork. The program combines agriculture, sustainability, and education with hands-on learning opportunities, allowing students to apply their knowledge in real educational and community settings. Students also benefit from internships, undergraduate research, education abroad opportunities, and close collaboration with faculty and industry partners throughout the program.

Students gain these practical experiences through:

Professional Internship: Complete the required CSUS 493 Professional Internship, working with schools, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, or agricultural education partners to gain real-world teaching and outreach experience.
Campus Apprenticeship: Participate in CSUS 316 Campus Apprenticeship to develop instructional, leadership, and classroom management skills through supervised teaching experiences.
Clinical Teaching Experience: Students pursuing teacher certification complete CSUS 417 Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources Apprenticeship/Clinical Experience, gaining supervised teaching practice in secondary school classrooms.
Laboratory Learning: Conduct practical work in biology, ecology, soil science, chemistry, and organismal biology laboratories as part of the program curriculum.
Greenhouse and Agricultural Facilities: Gain practical exposure through greenhouse-based learning and agricultural production environments used in coursework and instructional activities.
Community Engagement Projects: Work on community sustainability and agricultural education projects that connect classroom learning with real community needs.
Education Abroad Opportunities: Participate in faculty-led international study programs and overseas internships designed specifically for College of Agriculture and Natural Resources students.
Undergraduate Research: Engage in faculty-guided research projects related to agriculture, sustainability, education, and community development.
Group Projects: Collaborate with peers on teaching demonstrations, sustainability initiatives, and community-based agricultural education projects integrated throughout the curriculum.
Libraries and Learning Resources: Access the extensive Michigan State University Libraries along with specialized agricultural and natural resources learning resources to support coursework and research.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the BS in Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources Education at Michigan State University are prepared to become educators, trainers, and leaders within the agricultural sector while supporting workforce development and community education. The program combines teaching preparation with agricultural science, allowing graduates to pursue careers in schools, Extension systems, agribusiness, and government agencies. Through extensive field experiences and professional preparation, students develop the knowledge and practical skills needed for long-term career success.

Typical Career Roles: Agricultural Education Teacher, Extension Educator, Agricultural Training and Development Specialist, Agricultural Program Coordinator.

University Career Services: Michigan State University's Career Services Network provides personalized career advising, résumé and cover letter reviews, mock interviews, career fairs, employer networking events, internship support, and access to Handshake for internships and full-time employment opportunities.
Employment Statistics & Salary Figures: According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of career and technical education teachers is expected to remain stable, while agricultural educators continue to be in demand due to teacher shortages across many states. Agricultural education teachers in the United States earn a median annual salary of approximately USD 64,000–68,000, with salaries varying by employer, experience, and location.
University–Industry Partnerships: Students benefit from Michigan State University's strong collaborations with the Michigan Department of Education, Michigan FFA Association, MSU Extension, local school districts, agricultural businesses, commodity organizations, and community partners, providing valuable teaching experiences, internships, and professional networking opportunities.
Long-Term Accreditation Value: Teacher preparation programs at Michigan State University meet state educator preparation standards, enabling graduates to pursue teacher certification requirements and providing a strong foundation for careers in agricultural education and extension.
Graduation Outcomes: Graduates successfully enter careers in secondary agricultural education, Extension education, agricultural leadership organizations, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and agribusiness training, while many also pursue leadership and graduate study opportunities.

Further Academic Progression: After completing this bachelor's degree, students can continue their education through master's or doctoral programs in Agricultural, Food and Resource Economics, Agricultural Education, Higher, Adult and Lifelong Education, Curriculum and Instruction, Educational Leadership, Extension Education, Community Sustainability, or related agricultural and education disciplines offered by Michigan State University and other leading institutions.