Program Overview
The 5-year program with teacher certification in K-12 agricultural science education, offered jointly by the GSE and Rutgers' School of Environmental and Biological Sciences (SEBS), is designed to prepare students with a comprehensive understanding of agricultural science and content-specific teaching methods appropriate for the discipline. Successful completion of the program will lead to a bachelor's degree, master's degree in science education, and initial teacher certification in agricultural education. Individuals who enjoy working with plants and animals and sharing the importance of agriculture are encouraged to apply. Through required coursework and field placements, students will become familiarized with current standards surrounding agricultural science education, including the delivery of supervised agricultural experiences, and possess the ability to successfully integrate technology into their instruction to promote student learning.
To complete the program in 5 years, Rutgers SEBS undergraduates must complete specific pre-admission coursework and field placements during their sophomore and junior years. Students then apply for the 5-year program before the Spring semester of their junior year and if admitted, enter the professional education sequence in the summer before senior year. After senior year, students qualify to have their bachelor's degree awarded by SEBS and continue with the professional sequence in the summer after graduation. Students will return in the fall to complete a full-time student-teaching internship and continue with full-time graduate study, including a field-based research project in the spring.
After the master's degree is awarded, the GSE will make a recommendation to the New Jersey State Department of Education on behalf of the graduate to receive their Certificate of Eligibility with Advanced Standing (CEAS) as a teacher.
