Program(s) Available: B.S.Ed.
Are you passionate about agriculture and inspired to shape the next generation of agricultural leaders? Northwest Missouri State University’s Bachelor of Science in education: agricultural education combines profession-based learning with regional industry connections, preparing you for a fulfilling teaching career. Our interdisciplinary approach gives you practical field experiences and comprehensive classroom instruction, all from our state-of-the-art facilities and University farm. Northwest is ranked the #1 best value agriculture program in Missouri and #5 in the nation, positioning you for success in classrooms, extension offices and agricultural organizations across the region – and nearly 100% of our graduates find jobs after graduation.
A 4-year degree in agricultural education at Northwest prepares you to nurture your passion for agriculture while making a meaningful impact as a teacher. The program creates well-rounded agricultural educators who possess technical agricultural knowledge and solid teaching methodologies.
The B.S.Ed. in agricultural education requires 63-65 credit hours, including courses in both agricultural disciplines and education theory. You’ll complete coursework across diverse agricultural areas, focusing on:
Throughout the curriculum, you’ll gain valuable, career-relevant experiences through field opportunities that begin early in the program and continue throughout their studies. Your educational journey culminates with an immersive 16-week student teaching experience that puts your knowledge into action and prepares you for teacher licensure.
Northwest’s agricultural education program is accredited by the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation and the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
With individualized instruction, career-ready experiences and more, Northwest trains you to become the educator who inspires future agriculturalists. At Northwest, you’ll learn in small classes where professors know you on a personal level. You’ll gain practical experiences at the University farm and Agricultural Learning Center, building your teaching expertise through field experiences starting in your first year. And, you’ll graduate with the confidence, connections and credentials to go after whatever agriculture education jobs you choose.
Earn an ag education degree from an institution with unmatched effectiveness in preparing graduates for immediate employment. Northwest’s program boasts a remarkable 100% job placement rate in recent years. Our graduates teach in Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska and Kansas. They also work as communications specialists at the Missouri Farm Bureau and youth extension specialists for the University of Missouri Extension and Iowa State University Extension.
Unlike agricultural education programs that focus solely on classroom instruction, Northwest integrates three components: field experiences embedded throughout the curriculum, career-based learning in our state-of-the-art facilities and collaboration with industry initiatives like Agriculture on the Move and Missouri Farmers Care. This three-dimensional approach will boost your confidence in technical agriculture and educational leadership.
Choose an agricultural education degree from a program ranked #1 for value in Missouri and #5 in the nation. At Northwest, your investment gets you smaller classes, access to cutting-edge facilities for immersive learning and a degree employers recognize and respect.
Thu, Jan. 15, 2026
(College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences Webinar)
Thu, April 9, 2026
(secondary education / agricultural education)
Jacqueline Lacy
Instructor
660.562.1126
jlacy@nwmissouri.edu
After completing your ag education major, you’ll be ready to teach, lead and advocate for agriculture in schools and communities. While many of our graduates become middle or high school agricultural educators, the versatile Northwest skillset knows no bounds – classroom teaching is just one of the paths you can pursue.
Specific jobs for ag education majors include:
At Northwest, we make your agricultural education degree affordable through various financial support options. This includes university-wide aid and school-specific scholarships that apply to ag education majors. Search agricultural education scholarships or browse all aid below.
At Northwest, everything is built around your journey to becoming an exceptional educator. Our dedicated agriculture faculty bring industry expertise to the classroom, maintaining open-door policies for mentoring. We continuously adapt our curriculum to help you become a better agricultural leader.
Northwest’s vibrant student organizations are where lasting friendships form, professional connections develop and your identity as an agricultural educator takes root. Join Collegiate FFA (CFFA) to enhance your teaching skills through community service, or expand your leadership potential through Collegiate Farm Bureau or Delta Tau Alpha, the national agricultural honor society
From the moment you arrive on campus, you’ll feel the close-knit Bearcat community that makes Northwest feel like home. Cheer for our NCAA Division II athletic teams alongside fellow ag education majors in the stands, where the roar of “Bearcats!” creates bonds that transcend your major.
“Everyone on campus is super friendly, and the faculty and staff are willing to take you under their wing as if you were part of their family.”
Hannah Viets | Agriculture Teacher, North Platte R-1 School District | Agricultural Education (2021)
Agricultural education is a dynamic, hands-on discipline that prepares students to teach about agriculture, food systems, natural resources and leadership to learners of all ages. As an agricultural educator, you’ll inspire future generations to understand the science, business and technology of modern agriculture. You’ll develop critical thinking and agricultural literacy skills to help you become a more informed citizen.
Northwest leads the nation as a premier institution for agriculture education because of our incredible 100% job placement rate and #1 ranking as Missouri’s best value agricultural program. Our agricultural education major gives you direct access to our university farm facilities and Agricultural Learning Center, early field experiences beginning your first year and a supportive community of seasoned agriculture professionals.
Northwest agricultural education students become experts in both the science of agriculture and the art of teaching.
By graduation, you’ll achieve the following learning outcomes:
Learn from faculty who bring decades of real-world experience as high school agriculture teachers, FFA advisors and agricultural industry professionals to the classroom. They’ll serve as trusted mentors throughout the program, offering one-on-one guidance on everything from lesson planning techniques to career decisions.
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