What is the Accelerated Master's Platform?
The Department of Agricultural Education & Agricultural Sciences is accepting applications to the Accelerated Master's Platform. This program allows you to count up to 15 undergraduate credits toward both your bachelor’s and your master’s degree. With careful planning, you may be able to complete your MS in Agricultural Education in one additional year after you complete your undergraduate degree from OSU.
To be admitted during the spring term of your senior year, applications are due on the first Friday during the winter term of your junior or senior year.
Overview
The Agricultural Education Accelerated Master's Program (AMP) provides the training necessary for success in educational, leadership, or communication roles within the agricultural industry or as preparation for further graduate education. The program allows students to complete an undergraduate degree in Agricultural Sciences or related fields and an M.S. in Agricultural Education in 5 years of study.
The focus is on agricultural education, combining skills in leadership development, experiential learning, and teaching instruction. Our students develop strong educational and communication skills essential for educating others about the importance of agriculture, food, and natural resources. Coursework centers on science, communication, leadership, math, and technology, drawing on courses both within the program and from other University departments and colleges.
Who should apply?
Outstanding undergraduate students who have an overall GPA of 3.25 or better and have completed a minimum of 105 of their required 180 credits toward their degree before they apply are eligible. Eligibility is determined on a case-by-case basis after potential applicants have met with their undergraduate advisor and graduate advisor contacts to determine whether they have met the necessary prerequisites. Eligible applicants may apply during the winter term of their junior or senior year.
When will my program start?
The master’s program will notify applicants of admissions decisions during the winter term after applications are due. Accepted students will take master's-level classes during the spring of their senior year. After graduating with their BA/BS, these students will automatically enter the master's program. Students not admitted into AMP may still be eligible for fall admission.
How does it work?
- The pink area represents the 165 credits required exclusively for the BS degree.
- The green area represents the 30 credits required exclusively for the MS degree.
- The overlapping beige area represents the 15 credits that count towards both degrees as part of the Accelerated Master's Program (AMP).
An undergraduate major in Agricultural Sciences allows you to customize your degree and take courses from different areas throughout the College of Agricultural Sciences. The Agricultural Sciences major allows our students to create a purposeful course plan, crossing several areas of study to meet their individual career goals. If admitted to the AMP program in Agricultural Education, graduate courses in Agricultural Education will count in place of up to 15 undergraduate upper-division credits in the Agricultural Sciences major (the major requires 60 upper-division credits).
During their undergraduate senior year, successful applicants can apply for a maximum of 15 graduate-level credits (taken for a letter grade) to also count as upper division credits toward both their undergraduate degree in Agricultural Sciences and master’s degrees. Only graduate credits with a B (3.00) or better letter grades may be counted toward your program of study. Students admitted to the AMP program must maintain a GPA of 3.25 or better throughout their undergraduate and master’s degree programs, or they will be subject to dismissal from the AMP.
Students in the AMP will complete the same requirements as all MS students in Agricultural Education and Agricultural Sciences. Students will be advised to take classes in their concentration area during the senior year of their undergraduate term. Prerequisite courses are essential for ensuring content knowledge and experience in several agricultural fields of study; therefore, program faculty will meet with students at the time of application to discuss their progress on the prerequisite courses. There may be options to waive or replace courses on the list. Any waivers will need to be discussed with the graduate and undergraduate advisors prior to applying.
Possible Areas of Concentration:
- Formal Education (School-Based Agricultural Education – Teacher Licensure)
- Extension, Outreach, and Engagement
- Non-Formal Education
- Communications
Program Track:
-
Non-Thesis Track
- Majority of students
- Typically pursue the Teacher Licensure Program