Bachelor's Agricultural Communications

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Texas Tech University

Program Overview

The Bachelor's Agricultural Communications at Texas Tech University is designed for students who are passionate about agriculture and want to become skilled communicators, storytellers, and advocates for the industry. The program combines agricultural science with professional communication, preparing students to study writing, visual storytelling, digital media, public relations, marketing, and emerging communication technologies while gaining valuable real-world experience through a required internship.

Curriculum structure

Year 1 : Students build a strong academic foundation while exploring the agricultural industry and the communication profession. Courses such as Introduction to Agricultural Communications (ACOM 1300), Introduction to Agricultural Education (AGED 2300), and Scientific Communication in Agriculture and Natural Resources (ACOM 2302) develop essential writing, communication, and agricultural literacy skills.

Year 2 : The second year focuses on professional communication techniques and media development. Students study Professional Development in Agricultural Communications (ACOM 2200), Digital Imaging in Agriculture (ACOM 2303), News Writing (JOUR 2310), and Agricultural and Applied Economics (AAEC 2305) to strengthen visual communication, journalism, and industry knowledge.

Year 3 : Students advance into strategic communication and multimedia production through courses including Communicating Agriculture to the Public (ACOM 3300), Layout and Design in Agricultural Sciences (ACOM 3305), and supporting electives in public relations, print media, or electronic media. These subjects help students create professional communication campaigns and apply design principles for agricultural audiences.

Year 4 : The final year emphasizes professional practice and portfolio development through Development of Agricultural Publications (ACOM 4410), advanced communication electives, and a required Internship in Agricultural Communications. Students integrate writing, editing, photography, advertising, publication design, and software applications while gaining practical industry experience before graduation.

Focus areas : Agricultural Journalism, Digital Media, Public Relations, Agricultural Marketing, Photography, Visual Communication, Publication Design, Multimedia Storytelling, Strategic Communication, Agricultural Advocacy.

Learning outcomes : Produce effective agricultural communication for diverse audiences, apply writing and visual storytelling techniques, create multimedia and digital communication content, develop public relations and marketing strategies, design professional publications, communicate complex agricultural issues clearly, demonstrate ethical communication practices, and build industry-ready professional skills through internship experience.

Professional alignment (accreditation) : The BS Agricultural Communications is offered through the Davis College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources and follows Texas Tech University's accredited institutional academic standards. While the program does not have a specialized programmatic accreditation, it includes a required professional internship and industry-focused curriculum developed with strong agricultural and communication industry partnerships.

Reputation (employability rankings) : Texas Tech University's Agricultural Communications program is ranked among the Top 5 Agricultural Communications Programs by College Raptor (2026). The program is recognized for its strong industry connections, required internship, hands-on learning opportunities, and excellent career placement support within agricultural media, marketing, communications, and public relations.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The Bachelor's Agricultural Communications at Texas Tech University emphasizes hands-on learning by combining classroom instruction with practical communication experiences across agriculture, food, natural resources, and environmental industries. Students develop professional skills through multimedia storytelling, strategic communication projects, writing, photography, videography, and public relations while working with modern communication technologies and agricultural organizations. The program also provides access to specialized laboratories, media production facilities, university research farms, and internship opportunities that prepare graduates for careers in agricultural communication and media. Students strengthen their portfolio and industry readiness through the following experiential opportunities:

Multimedia production projects using digital photography, video production, audio editing, graphic design, and social media communication tools.
Agricultural communications writing assignments covering news writing, feature writing, public relations, advertising, and digital content creation.
Team-based communication campaigns that solve real communication challenges for agricultural businesses and organizations.
Internship opportunities with agricultural companies, commodity organizations, government agencies, media outlets, and agribusiness firms for professional industry experience.
Access to the Department of Agricultural Education and Communications multimedia laboratories equipped for photography, video production, editing, broadcasting, and digital media development.
Practical learning through the university's agricultural research farms, ranches, and field laboratories, allowing students to communicate real-world agricultural research and production practices.
Participation in student organizations such as Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow (ACT), providing leadership development, networking, professional competitions, and industry engagement.
Opportunities to collaborate with faculty on extension, research, and outreach communication initiatives supporting agricultural stakeholders.
Access to the Texas Tech University Library's extensive print, digital, research, and multimedia resources to support communication projects.
Career preparation through portfolio development, professional presentations, networking events, and experiential learning integrated throughout the curriculum.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the Bachelor's Agricultural Communications at Texas Tech University are prepared to communicate complex agricultural and natural resource topics to diverse audiences through digital media, journalism, public relations, and strategic communication. The program combines communication expertise with agricultural knowledge, enabling graduates to pursue careers across agribusiness, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, commodity groups, and media while building a strong foundation for leadership in the agricultural industry.

Typical Job Roles : Agricultural Communications Specialist, Public Relations Specialist, Agricultural Journalist, Marketing and Communications Coordinator.

Career Services & Student Support : Students have access to Texas Tech University's University Career Center, which offers career counseling, résumé and interview preparation, career fairs, employer networking events, internship assistance, and the online job platform Handshake. The Davis College also connects students with agricultural employers through experiential learning opportunities and industry events.
Employment Statistics & Salary Figures : According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for public relations specialists is projected to grow steadily, with a median annual wage of US$69,780 (May 2024). Technical writers earned a median annual wage of US$91,670, while reporters, correspondents, and broadcast news analysts earned a median annual wage of US$62,930, providing graduates with diverse career opportunities depending on their chosen communication pathway.
University–Industry Partnerships : Students benefit from connections with agricultural businesses, commodity organizations, media outlets, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension collaborations, state and federal agencies, and professional organizations through internships, guest speakers, student organizations, and industry-sponsored learning experiences facilitated by the Davis College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources.
Long-term Accreditation Value : Texas Tech University is institutionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), ensuring that the degree is nationally recognized and supports professional employment, graduate education, and career advancement.
Graduation Outcomes : Graduates are equipped to create strategic communication campaigns, produce multimedia content, manage public relations initiatives, communicate scientific and agricultural information effectively, and contribute to the growth of the agriculture and natural resources industries in regional, national, and international settings.

Further Academic Progression : Graduates can continue their education through master's degrees in Agricultural Communications, Agricultural Education, Mass Communications, Strategic Communication, Public Relations, Journalism, Agribusiness, or related fields. The program also provides an excellent foundation for research-based graduate study, leadership development, and specialized careers in agricultural policy, extension education, corporate communications, and higher education.