LEAP Teaching Licensure Program

(3 hours). A course in educational psychology is required for teacher licensure. This is a course that is offered at almost any university that has a teacher education program and also at some community colleges. At NCSU the course is EDP 304; however, the number of seats in the online section is often limited. You can complete this course at any institution, as long as it transfers to NC State University as educational psychology. If you are not sure, contact faculty in the AEE Program at NC State. Many of our students have also taken the course PSY 263 at Community College or PSYC 2060 through Louisiana State University Continuing Education to meet this requirement.  Please be aware that courses such as Introduction to Psychology, Abnormal Psychology, or Adolescent Development do not meet this requirement. 

(3 hours – offered in Summer). This course examines the role, mission, structure, and organization of agricultural education as it operates in the public school system. The University of Delaware aided in the development of this course. This course is usually taught every fall and summer.

(3 hours – offered in Fall). Techniques for instructing students is the focal point of this course. Testing, grading, student management and other related topics are also covered. Faculty at the University of Arizona and Washington State University assisted in the development of this course. This is one of the first courses people who have been employed to teach agriculture should take.

(3 hours – offered in Spring). One of the major responsibilities of the agricultural teacher is to develop the leadership potential of young people through the FFA program. This course teaches how to operate and manage the FFA program. University of Missouri faculty assisted in developing this course. This course is taught every spring semester.

(3 hours – offered in Fall). Experiential learning is a hallmark of agricultural education. Students in this course learn how to involve students in supervised agricultural experience (SAE) programs. Fort Valley State University was involved in the design of this course. This course is taught every fall semester.

(3 hours each – 524 offered in Spring, 529 offered in Fall). Principles of program planning applied to educational programs about agriculture; theory and field experiences in planning, organizing, and evaluating secondary agricultural education programs; development of plans for conducting all aspects of the complete agricultural education program.

(3 hours – offered in Spring). Successfully complete a teaching internship in a school under the direction and guidance of an experienced teacher. Distance education technologies such as Skype and Google Talk are used to observe teaching and to conference with the students. There may also be live observations from NCSU faculty members. This course is available in the fall and spring but should be completed after you have taken the majority of the other courses. You will spend eight weeks in a school observing and teaching. For people who are hired to teach on a provisional or emergency teaching certificate, this requirement can be done on-the-job in the school in which you are employed. For those not teaching, we will help you locate a school and make arrangements for this experience.

The graduate certificate is a formal graduate program. You will need to complete a Graduate School application online. In the “Application and Test Information” section, click on “Graduate Certificate,” and then select “Graduate Certificate: Agricultural and Extension Education.” With this option, you will be recognized as a student in our department and will be assigned an advisor. Upon completion, you will also receive a certificate from NC State. Note that Graduate Certificate students register for classes after degree-seeking students, but before NDS students. Note: The AEE graduate certificate requires 15 graduate-level credit hours and must be completed within four years. You must have an undergraduate degree prior to application review. A 3.0 undergraduate GPA is required for admission to the Graduate School.

Visit the Office of Registration and Records website for more information about enrolling in Non-Degree Studies. NDS students do not receive priority in enrolling in courses and do not qualify for financial aid. NDS students are limited to two courses per semester. Note: This route is ideal for students who have less than 15 credit hours needed to complete LEAP, cannot complete the program within four years, or whose GPA is below the Graduate School’s 3.0 minimum.

The application process for a master’s degree in Agricultural and Extension Education is the same as for the graduate certificate program, but three letters of recommendation are required. The MR degree is a 30 graduate-level credit hour program that must be completed within six years. This option is ideal for students who are already considering earning a master’s degree. A 3.0 undergraduate GPA is required for admission into the Graduate School.