2026-2027 Course Catalog

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

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

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, Agricultural Education concentration

Agricultural Education concentration:

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 | | fullfilled by AGCM 220 | | | | Humanities and the Arts (6 hours) | | 6 | | Natural Sciences and Technology (6 hours) | | 6 | | fulfilled by ACES 102 or CPSC 112; FSHN 101 or 120 | | | | Social & Behavioral Sciences (6 hours) | | 6 | | fulfilled by ACE 100 or ECON 102; PSYC 100 | | | | 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 | |

Course List

 | Code | Title | Hours |

| --- | --- | --- | | Agricultural Education Concentration Requirements | | 72 | | ACE 100 | Introduction to Applied Microeconomics | 3-4 | | or ECON 102 | Microeconomic Principles | | | CPSC 112 | Introduction to Crop Sciences | 3-4 | | or ACES 102 | Intro Sustainable Food Systems | | | PSYC 100 | Intro Psych | 4 | | AGED 220 | Prog Del in Ag & Leadership Ed | 3 | | AGED 250 | Observation and Program Analys | 4 | | AGED 350 | Early Field Experience | 3 | | AGED 420 | Curr Design & Instruction | 3 | | AGED 421 | Teaching Strategies in AGED | 3 | | AGED 450 | Program Delivery and Eval | 4 | | CI 473 | Disciplinary Literacy | 3 | | EPSY 201 | Educational Psychology | 3 | | EPOL 201 | Foundations of Education | 3 | | or EPOL 202 | Foundations of Education-ACP | | | SPED 405 | General Educator's Role in Special Education | 3 | | EDPR 442 | Educational Practice in Secondary Education | 8 | | Technical Subject Matter Required | | | | ANSC 100 | Intro to Animal Sciences | 4 | | ETMA 100 | Technical Systems in Agr | 3 | | Choose one of the following: | | | | ACE 222 | Agricultural Marketing | 3 | | ACE 232 | Farm Management | 3 | | ACE 345 | Small Business Finance | 3 | | Choose one of the following: | | | | HORT 100 | Introduction to Horticulture | 3 | | HORT 105 | Vegetable Gardening | 3 | | Choose one of the following: | | | | FSHN 101 | The Science of Food and How it Relates to You | 3 | | FSHN 120 | Contemporary Nutrition | 3 | | Choose one of the following: | | | | NRES 100 | Fundamentals of Env Sci | 3 | | NRES 101 | Wildlife Conservation in the 21st Century | 3 | | NRES 201 | Introductory Soils | 4 | | NRES 219 | Applied Ecology | 3 | | Choose one of the following: | | | | LEAD 260 | Foundations of Leadership | 3 | | LEAD 425 | Leading Teams | 3 | | 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, Agricultural Education concentration

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, Agricultural Education concentration

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 Education concentration

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