Ph.D. Program in Agricultural Education

Ph.D. in Education with a Focus in Agricultural Education

If you have a passion for agricultural/natural resources education, youth leadership development, community and civic leadership and engagement, STEM education, or career and technical education- this is a great opportunity for you!

The Department of Agricultural Education and Agricultural Sciences works closely with the College of Education to offer a valuable degree program that allows our students to be well prepared for faculty and administrative positions in universities, cooperative extension, supervisory, and administrative positions in state departments of education; as well as numerous positions in government and related industries. The program takes 3 years on average for degree completion if entering the program with a master’s degree.

This Ph.D. in education, with an emphasis in agricultural education, was co-developed by both colleges and provides our Ph.D. students with an unique and diverse program. Our graduates are highly sought after and are high performers in their careers.

In addition to receiving a high-quality education, our graduate students are given ample opportunity to receive graduate assistantships to help support them financially throughout their academic journey. Our graduate students positively impact agriculture education nationwide through active involvement in professional organizations, hands-on teaching experiences, research endeavors, and industry engagement.

Graduate students also have multiple opportunities to attend regional and national conferences where they present original research, create professional networks, and seek out new opportunities to grow both personally and professionally.

Explore more information about our program and how to apply below! 

More About the Program

The Agricultural Education doctoral option has a primary focus of preparing candidates to assume faculty positions in colleges or university agricultural education programs. Candidates assemble an individual program of study that provides a comprehensive knowledge of the teaching and learning process with a strong theoretical foundation and practical research experience in agricultural education. This program combines rigorous education with instruction and advising duties, along with multiple opportunities for professional development. 

Assistantships

Qualified candidates will receive assistantship funding to teach graduate and undergraduate courses in agricultural education, leadership, agricultural communications, and agricultural sciences. Assistantships are 9-month, .49 FTE positions with the opportunity for summer teaching employment. Salary and benefits are competitive and funded assistantships include tuition waivers. 

Areas of Research and Interest in Agricultural Education:

  • K-12 and Postsecondary Student Motivation
  • Leadership assessment and development
  • Teacher preparation and early career retention
  • Teaching Methods
  • Teacher recruitment, retention, and professional development
  • Equitable and inclusive practices in agricultural education

Connect with us and tell us more about your research inquiries!

Learning Outcomes 

Agricultural Education Learning Outcomes

Three overarching Graduate Council-approved Learning Outcomes for the PhD program are:

  • Produce and defend an original significant contribution to knowledge
  • Demonstrate mastery of subject material
  • Conduct scholarly activities in a responsible and ethical manner

In addition, the major aim of the Agricultural Education Ph.D. option is to develop students’ analytic skills, knowledge and sensibilities to:

  • Use meaningful and relevant social science literature to better understand and investigate questions in agricultural education research
  • Critically evaluate key social science research to construct arguments which further understanding of research in agricultural education
  • Synthesize a coherent point of view using evidence-based and theoretical arguments relevant to questions in agricultural education research

Application Process/Requirements

The Agricultural Education program is a minimum of 108 credits which include: a core curriculum in quantitative and qualitative research, 13 credits in a specialty area, a practicum, and a dissertation. Additional research methods and elective courses as approved by the major professor (faculty advisor). 

Applicant Requirements: 

  • Ability to pass the state of Oregon background check
  • 3.0 GPA or better 
  • Master’s degree in an appropriate field or equivalent professional experience (preferably in the areas of Agricultural Education, Extension Education, Agricultural Leadership, Agricultural Communications, or other related degrees)
  • Demonstrated capability of working independently as well as in teams
  • Willingness to collaborate in multi-disciplinary projects 

*Applicants are encouraged to contact KJ Joseph to discuss relevant prior experiences and education. 

Preferred qualifications include: 

  • Three or more years of experience working in agricultural education or related fields.
    • Demonstrated excellent teaching skills
  • Demonstrated outstanding verbal and written communication skills

Application Materials: 

To apply, please send a current resume, unofficial transcript(s), contact information for three professional references, and a 2-page, double spaced personal statement describing your experience with teaching and desire to pursue a Ph.D. graduate degree to either KJ Joseph ([email protected]). After reviewing the application materials, qualified candidates will be invited for a video or on-campus interview.

Application Deadlines: The Agricultural Education option has a rolling application process. Applicants are encouraged to contact KJ Joseph (541-737-5926) if interested. Upon departmental acceptance, applicants will then be asked to apply to the program through the College of Education