2026-2027 Course Catalog

Source: https://catalog.illinois.edu/undergraduate/aces/agricultural-leadership-education-communications-bs/ Parent: https://catalog.illinois.edu/undergraduate/

for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Leadership, Education & Communications

The major in Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communications is for students wishing to pursue careers in various professional contexts. The major currently offers three concentrations. Agricultural Communications, where students will learn and apply communication skills in telling the story of food, agriculture, and the environment. Students wishing to pursue a career as a teacher of agricultural science, agribusiness, agricultural mechanics, and horticulture in Illinois high schools should select the Agricultural Education concentration. The Organizational and Community Leadership concentration prepares students for supervisory, training, sales, and outreach positions in agricultural, extension, community, and governmental agencies.

Students pursuing the Agricultural Leadership, Education & Communications, BS select from three concentrations:

• Agricultural Communications
• Agricultural Education
• Organizational & Community Leadership

for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Leadership, Education & Communications

Graduation Requirements

Minimum hours required for graduation: 126 hours.

University Requirements

Minimum of 40 hours of upper-division coursework, generally at the 300 and 400 level. These hours can be drawn from all elements of the degree. Students should consult their academic advisor for additional guidance in fulfilling this requirement.

The university and residency requirements can be found in the Student Code (§ 3-801) and in the Academic Catalog.

General Education Requirements

Follows the campus General Education (Gen Ed) requirements. Some Gen Ed requirements may be met by courses required and/or electives in the program.

Course List

 | Code | Title | Hours |

| --- | --- | --- | | Composition I | | 4-6 | | Advanced Composition | | 3 | | fulfilled by AGCM 220 | | | | Humanities & the Arts (6 hours) | | 6 | | Natural Sciences & Technology (6 hours) | | 6 | | fulfilled by concentration coursework and any other course approved as Natural Sciences & Technology | | | | Social & Behavioral Sciences (6 hours) | | 6-8 | | fulfilled by concentration coursework | | | | Cultural Studies: Non-Western Cultures (1 course) | | 3 | | Cultural Studies: US Minority Cultures (1 course) | | 3 | | fulfilled by LEAD 340 | | | | Cultural Studies: Western/Comparative Cultures (1 course) | | 3 | | Quantitative Reasoning (2 courses, at least one course must be Quantitative Reasoning I) | | 6-10 | | Language Requirement (Completion of the third semester or equivalent of a language other than English is required) | | 0-15 |

Course List

 | Code | Title | Hours |

| --- | --- | --- | | Major Requirements | | 15 | | ALEC 110 | Introduction to Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communications | 3 | | ALEC 123 | ALEC Orientation to Illinois | 1 | | ALEC 451 | Professional Development in ALEC | 2 | | AGCM 220 | Communicating Agriculture | 3 | | LEAD 340 | Leadership Ethics & Society: Addressing Contemporary Challenges | 3 | | Oral Communication | | 3-6 | | ALEC 115 | Let’s Talk about Food, Agriculture, and the Environment | | | or CMN 101 | Public Speaking | | | or CMN 111 & CMN 112 | Oral & Written Comm I and Oral & Written Comm II | | | Required Concentration (choose one): | | 52-72 | | Agricultural Communications | | 54 | | Agricultural Education | | 72 | | Organizational & Community Leadership | | 52 | | Electives | | | | Free electives as needed to total 126 hours minimum | | | | Total Hours: | | 126 |

for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Leadership, Education & Communications

Sample Sequence

This sample sequence is intended to be used only as a guide for degree completion. All students should work individually with their academic advisors to decide the actual course selection and sequence that works best for them based on their academic preparation and goals. Enrichment programming such as study abroad, minors, internships, and so on may impact the structure of this four-year plan. Course availability is not guaranteed during the semester indicated in the sample sequence.

Students must fulfill their Language Other Than English requirement by successfully completing a third level of a language other than English. For more information, see the corresponding section on the Degree and General Education Requirements page.

Total Hours: 126

for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Leadership, Education & Communications

1. Within the scope of food, agriculture, human, and natural resources systems in contemporary society, ALEC students will solve challenges and take advantage of opportunities.
2. Engage in critical thinking about current issues
3. Assess situational strengths and obstacles
4. Use effective communications
5. Create solutions that respond to current issues
6. Within the scope of food, agriculture, human, and natural resources systems in contemporary society, ALEC students will demonstrate a strong foundation in theories and empirical knowledge associated with leadership, education, and communications.
7. Describe current and historical challenges facing people within food, agriculture, human, and natural resource systems
8. Recall summarize and apply key theories, models, principles and terminology
9. Apply knowledge to global contexts
10. Integrate knowledge across courses and content areas
11. Critique current theoretical and empirical knowledge and methodological approaches
12. Within the scope of food, agriculture, human, and natural resources systems in contemporary society, ALEC students will lead, educate, and communicate with an awareness and commitment to inclusion.
13. Critically examine personal backgrounds, biases, and experiences
14. Use ethical principles and practices
15. Facilitate environments that foster a sense of belonging

for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Leadership, Education & Communications

Agricultural Leadership, Education, & Communications

Agricultural Leadership, Education, & Communications Website

174 Bevier Hall\ 905 S. Goodwin Ave\ Urbana, IL 61801\ 217-333-3165\ aces-alec@illinois.edu

College of Agricultural, Consumer & Environmental Sciences

College of Agricultural, Consumer & Environmental Sciences Website

ACES Office of Academic Programs

128 Mumford Hall\ 1301 West Gregory Drive\ Urbana, IL 61801\ (217) 333-3380\ ACES-Academics@illinois.edu

Advising

Advising Website\ 217-333-3570\ aces-alec@illinois.edu

Admissions

ACES Undergraduate Admissions\ University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Undergrad Admissions\ 217-333-3380\ visitACES@illinois.edu