BS Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Nebraska Lincoln

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln prepares students to become effective leaders, educators, and communicators in the agriculture, natural resources, and environmental sectors. Designed for students who enjoy working with people and making an impact, the program combines technical agricultural knowledge with leadership development, communication, and teaching skills to prepare graduates for diverse careers in industry, education, advocacy, and public service.

Curriculum Structure:

First Year:

Students build a strong foundation in leadership, communication, and agricultural sciences while exploring career opportunities within the industry. Core courses such as ALEC 102: Interpersonal Skills for Leadership, ALEC 136: Fundamentals of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Communication, and SCIL 101: Science and Decision-Making for a Complex World introduce students to effective communication, leadership principles, and scientific decision-making.

Second Year:

During the second year, students strengthen their understanding of teaching, leadership, and organizational development through practical and theoretical learning. Courses including ALEC 202: Foundations of Leadership Theory and Practice, ALEC 206: Teaching and Learning Design, and ALEC 302: Dynamics of Effective Leadership in Organizations help students develop instructional, leadership, and team management skills for agricultural settings.

Third Year:

Students expand their professional expertise through specialized communication, leadership, and experiential learning opportunities tailored to their chosen option. Depending on the pathway selected, they may study courses such as ALEC 260: Introduction to Digital Media in Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, ALEC 350: Agriculture, the Environment & Science in the Media, and advanced leadership or education courses while participating in hands-on projects and community engagement.

Fourth Year:

The final year focuses on applying classroom knowledge in professional environments through internships, field experiences, and capstone learning. Students complete experiences such as ALEC 495B: Internship in Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Communication, ALEC 431: Student Teaching (where applicable), and advanced leadership coursework, graduating with practical experience and career-ready skills.

Focus Areas: Agricultural leadership, agricultural education, leadership development, agricultural communication, environmental communication, teaching and learning, digital media, public engagement, organizational leadership, community development.

Learning Outcomes: Graduates can communicate agricultural and environmental science information effectively through written, visual, and oral formats; apply leadership knowledge to solve complex problems; and design, deliver, and evaluate instructional programs that meet diverse learning needs.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation): The Agricultural Education and Skilled and Technical Sciences options lead to a recommendation for Nebraska teacher certification for grades 6–12. The program also emphasizes experiential learning through internships, community engagement, and industry partnerships to prepare graduates for professional practice.

Reputation (Employability Rankings): The University of Nebraska–Lincoln is recognized for its College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources and provides extensive experiential learning, industry engagement, and career preparation. Graduates are well prepared for careers in agribusiness, agricultural communications, leadership development, education, advocacy, extension, and public service.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Students in the Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln develop practical leadership, communication, and teaching skills through hands-on coursework, field experiences, internships, and community-based projects. The program integrates classroom learning with real-world agricultural and organizational settings, allowing students to apply leadership theories, create digital communication content, participate in supervised teaching experiences, and collaborate with faculty and industry professionals. Throughout the degree, students build professional portfolios while using modern communication technologies and engaging directly with agricultural organizations and communities.

Students enhance their professional experience through:

Early field experiences: Complete structured field placements through courses such as Introduction to Agricultural Education (ALEC 135), including classroom observation, lesson planning, peer teaching, and a required 40-hour early field experience in school-based agricultural education.
Internships: Gain professional experience through approved internships with agricultural or environmental sciences organizations, applying leadership, education, or communication skills in real workplace settings (ALEC 495B).
Student teaching practicum: Students pursuing the education pathway complete supervised off-campus student teaching placements, spending 7–16 weeks in public school agricultural education programs under faculty and mentor supervision.
Digital media tools: Develop professional communication portfolios using digital media technologies in courses such as Introduction to Digital Media in Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (ALEC 260) and advanced video and audio production courses.
Community engagement projects: Participate in experiential leadership activities, supervised service projects, and community-based leadership initiatives through courses such as Interpersonal Skills for Leadership (ALEC 102) and project facilitation courses.
Group projects: Work collaboratively on leadership case studies, communication campaigns, instructional projects, facilitation exercises, and organizational planning activities that reflect real agricultural and community challenges.
Field visits and industry exposure: Explore agricultural careers through guest speakers, organized field trips, and visits to agricultural businesses and educational organizations as part of ALEC coursework.
Teaching and instructional laboratories: Practice instructional delivery, laboratory management, demonstrations, and educational methods in laboratory settings, including mechanics, greenhouse, and land laboratories, with portions of training conducted at Southeast Community College.
Research and independent study: Undertake faculty-supervised individual or group research projects, literature reviews, and independent studies focused on leadership, communication, or agricultural education.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln are prepared for diverse careers that combine leadership, communication, education, and agricultural expertise. Through hands-on learning, internships, and strong industry engagement, students graduate with the practical skills needed to lead organizations, educate future professionals, and communicate complex agricultural issues to a wide range of audiences.

Typical job roles: Agricultural Communications Specialist, Leadership Development Coordinator, Agricultural Educator, Extension Educator.

University services that support employability:

Career preparation: The College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources (CASNR) provides career advising, résumé and interview preparation, career fairs, employer networking events, internship guidance, and faculty mentoring to help students transition into professional careers.
Experiential learning: Students strengthen their professional profile through internships, leadership development projects, student organizations, field experiences, teaching preparation, and communication-based capstone projects integrated throughout the program.
Employment statistics and salary figures: The university does not publish official employment rates or starting salary data specifically for graduates of the Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication program. However, graduates consistently secure positions across agricultural education, communications, agribusiness, public service, and leadership organizations.
University–industry partnerships: Students collaborate with Nebraska Extension, more than 200 agricultural education programs and over 400 skilled and technical sciences programs across Nebraska, while internships and professional experiences connect them with organizations such as the Nebraska Wheat Board, LI-COR Biosciences, Rural Radio Network, Farmway Coop, and government agencies.
Long-term accreditation value: Students completing the Agricultural Education or Skilled and Technical Sciences options become eligible for recommendation for Nebraska teacher certification, providing a recognized professional credential for secondary education careers.
Graduation outcomes: Recent graduates have secured careers as Public Information Officers, Marketing Specialists, Communications Specialists, Deputy Press Secretaries, Farm Broadcasters, Extension professionals, and leadership development specialists in both public and private organizations.

Further Academic Progression:
Graduates can continue their education through master's and doctoral programs offered by the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, including the Master of Science in Leadership Education, Ph.D. in Human Sciences with a Specialization in Leadership Studies, or other graduate programs in agricultural education, communication, leadership, extension education, public administration, or related agricultural and human sciences disciplines. These pathways prepare graduates for advanced leadership, research, university teaching, policy development, and executive management careers.