House of Raeford Farms School of Agriculture & Biological Sciences

Agricultural Education

Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Education

The BS in Agricultural Education provides students who love agriculture and want to teach a career pathway that will make a significant difference in the lives of young leaders and FFA members. Upon graduation, students receive not only a degree in agricultural education but also a North Carolina Teaching Professional Educator’s License.

Students engage behind the scenes with the agricultural industry, with individual school districts, and with the North Carolina and National FFA Organizations. Agricultural education graduates have the skills and passion to share their love of agriculture with their own students.

100% of Agricultural Education graduates have been employed as teachers or in agriculture / education fields.

Credential NC License Professional Educator’s License included upon graduation

Partnership FFA Active engagement with NC and National FFA Organizations

Placement Student Teaching Required final-semester classroom placement statewide

Agricultural education students at the University of Mount Olive

Key Program Features

Design engaging learning opportunities in the agricultural education classroom.

Construct engaging learning opportunities in the agricultural lab.

Develop a successful FFA chapter.

Evaluate student experiential learning opportunities (SAE Projects).

What Makes It Unique?

A Teacher-First Mindset from Day One The Agricultural Education Program at UMO is designed to turn students into effective classroom teachers prior to their first day in the professional classroom. Agricultural Education majors are asked to develop the mindset of being a future teacher from the first time they step foot into the program. By adopting this approach, students view their coursework as a way to become a better professional — not just a checklist of graduation requirements.

Program Details

All Agricultural Education students are required to complete a student teaching experience during their last semester at the University of Mount Olive. Agricultural Education students will complete this internship with an assigned cooperating teacher at a School-Based Agricultural Education (SBAE) program within the state.

Agricultural education students are also eligible to apply for any other internship programs that are available to all other agricultural students at the university.

In addition to certifications offered in other agricultural classes, Agricultural Education graduates have the opportunity to earn their North Carolina Hunter Safety Instructor Certification. This certification is required if a student seeks to train a Hunter Safety team.

Students also have the opportunity to gain the same professional certifications offered to all agricultural education students across the university.

What Can You Do With an Agricultural Education Degree?

Agricultural Education Teacher / FFA Advisor (6–12) The primary career pathway — shaping the next generation of agriculture leaders.

Beyond the Classroom: If a student decides not to enter the classroom, agricultural education graduates are sought after in industry. The degree provides students with a well-versed background in agriculture combined with the social sciences — a combination that opens doors across agribusiness, government, and nonprofit sectors.