Bachelor of Science in Agricultural and Environmental Education

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of California Davis

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Science in Agricultural and Environmental Education at the University of California, Davis prepares students to combine agricultural and environmental science with teaching, communication and outreach, making it well suited to students who want to educate and lead people in agricultural, environmental and sustainability settings. Students study a broad range of disciplines—including animal science, plant and soil science, environmental horticulture, agricultural and environmental engineering, economics and environmental sciences—along with educational theory and practice, before choosing an upper-division area of specialization.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students build their foundation through fundamental study in science, mathematics, biology and environmental science, while beginning to understand agricultural and environmental systems. The curriculum is intentionally broad so students can explore different areas before progressing into more specialised study.

Year 2: Students broaden their agricultural knowledge through subjects covering areas such as animal science, plant and soil science, environmental horticulture, agricultural and environmental engineering, economics and environmental sciences. This multidisciplinary approach helps students connect scientific knowledge with the people, organisations and communities affected by agricultural and environmental issues.

Year 3: Students move into upper-division study and select an area of specialization/focus depth from fields including Agricultural Business and Economics, Animal Science, Applied Biological Systems Technology, Environmental Horticulture, Environmental Science and Natural Resources, and Plant and Soil Science. Alongside this scientific preparation, education-related study develops the skills needed to work with learners of different ages and in different educational settings.

Year 4: Students consolidate their agricultural and environmental knowledge with education, communication and outreach skills, preparing them for professional settings such as schools, extension programs, community organisations and environmental education. The program also provides practical experiences through fieldwork, school placements and non-formal learning-site placements, allowing students to apply their knowledge beyond the classroom.

Focus areas:

Agricultural education, environmental education, teaching, agricultural and environmental sciences, communications, outreach, agricultural business and economics, animal science, applied biological systems technology, environmental horticulture, environmental science and natural resources, plant and soil science.

Learning outcomes:

Understanding natural and social science principles underlying agricultural and environmental systems; applying these principles in educational, organisational and community settings; interpreting, gathering and processing agricultural and environmental information; communicating concepts and issues effectively; and contributing to problem-solving as a team member, collaborator or community organiser.

Professional alignment (accreditation):

The program meets state and federal requirements for entry into teacher preparation in agriculture and science, as well as requirements in Career Technical Education (CTE). It therefore provides a strong academic foundation for students intending to progress into teacher preparation and agricultural or environmental education careers.

Reputation (employability rankings):

UC Davis places this major within its College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, with graduates prepared for roles across public schools, nonprofit organisations, government agencies, nature preserves, community organisations and sustainable development. The university identifies career pathways including agricultural science teacher, agricultural/environmental communications or marketing specialist, agricultural/environmental extension educator, environmental science teacher and outdoor education specialist.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The Bachelor of Science in Agricultural and Environmental Education at UC Davis is strongly practice-oriented, combining agricultural and environmental science with teaching, communication, outreach and field experience. Students gain practical experience through fieldwork, school placements and non-formal learning sites, while coursework develops their ability to apply agricultural and environmental concepts in educational, organisational and community settings.

Students can build hands-on expertise through:

Agricultural & environmental education internships: AED 092 and AED 192 – Internship provide supervised internship experience both on and off campus in agricultural education, with 1–12 units available depending on the internship.
Teaching field experience: AED 300 – Directed Field Experience in Teaching places students in public-school agriculture or home-economics programs as teaching assistants, giving them direct classroom experience.
Garden and farm-based education: Through PLS 193 – Garden and Farm-Based Experiential Education Methods, students learn ecological concepts and teaching techniques and then apply them while leading educational activities for visiting K–6 students at the Ecological Garden and Student Farm.
Field trips and outdoor teaching: Students participating in the Garden and Farm program lead school field trips involving activities such as harvesting vegetables, exploring insects, composting and learning about garden ecosystems.
Student Farm experience: AEE students can undertake internships at the UC Davis Student Farm, gaining practical experience in agriculture and connecting food-system knowledge with education and outreach.
Agricultural and environmental placements: The degree specifically incorporates practical experiences through fieldwork, school placements and non-formal learning sites, or placements connected to a student's selected area of focus.
Group projects and collaboration: AED 098/AED 198 – Directed Group Study provides structured opportunities for students to undertake collaborative study in agricultural education.
Capstone preparation: AED 178 – Capstone for Agricultural & Environmental Education Majors develops critical thinking, assesses student learning outcomes and prepares students to apply their knowledge and skills professionally.
Faculty-supported research: UC Davis provides opportunities for AEE students to become involved in agricultural and environmental research; the university has documented AEE graduates completing research internships in areas including cover crops, wheat production and organic agricultural systems.
Agricultural science exposure: The curriculum draws from animal science, plant and soil science, environmental horticulture, agricultural and environmental engineering, economics and environmental science, giving students practical breadth across agricultural and environmental systems.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The Bachelor of Science in Agricultural and Environmental Education at University of California, Davis prepares graduates for careers that combine agricultural and environmental knowledge with teaching, communication, outreach and community development. The degree can lead to opportunities in schools, extension services, government agencies, nonprofit organisations, environmental education and agricultural businesses.

Typical career opportunities include:

Agricultural Science Teacher
Agricultural/Environmental Extension Educator
Agricultural/Environmental Communications or Marketing Specialist
Youth Development Educator
Agricultural Sales Representative
Community Organizer/Advocate

Career progression is supported through:

Internship and Career Center: UC Davis provides career advising, internship resources, employer connections and career fairs. The university's internship system allows students to undertake supervised professional experiences, with eligible internships documented through transcript notation and potentially receiving academic credit.
Practical professional preparation: The AEE major includes practical experiences through fieldwork, school placements and non-formal learning-site placements, allowing students to apply agricultural and environmental knowledge in educational and development settings.
Employment sectors: UC Davis reports that AEE graduates have found employment in public schools, nonprofit organisations, financial institutions, state and federal agencies, nature preserves, community organisations and sustainable development.
Potential employers: The university identifies organisations and settings such as K–12 school districts, community colleges, EPCOT Center and the Zoological Society of San Diego among alumni/employer destinations.
Industry and government pathways: The department provides resources for pursuing positions with organisations such as the USDA, while its career guidance also highlights agricultural industry opportunities and employers.
Career-focused specialisations: Students can develop their agricultural expertise through areas including Agricultural Business and Economics, Animal Science, Environmental Horticulture, Environmental Science and Natural Resources, and Plant and Soil Science, helping them tailor their career direction.
Employment statistics: UC Davis's official AEE career database currently states that the available internship and employment sample is insufficient to display programme-specific statistics; therefore, the university does not publish a reliable AEE-specific employment rate or salary figure that should be quoted.
Professional/teaching value: The program meets state and federal requirements for entry into teacher preparation in agriculture and science as well as requirements in Career Technical Education (CTE), providing particular value for students pursuing agricultural or environmental education.

Further Academic Progression: Graduates can continue into postgraduate study in areas such as Education, Agricultural Science, Law, Environmental Science and Business. UC Davis specifically identifies these as graduate-study directions for AEE graduates, making the bachelor's degree a useful foundation for advanced professional, research or education-focused study.