Master's Degree Options
A Master’s degree prepares a person with additional knowledge and necessary skills in the field in order to teach, become a practitioner, or conduct research. Students pursuing a Master's degree are expected to develop an individualized project or thesis in cooperation with their adviser and advisory committee. ACEL offers three Master's Degrees: the M.S. Online (thesis or non-thesis option), the M.S In-person (thesis or non-thesis option), and the M.Ed. degrees. Coursework is comprised of a combination of core foundation courses, specialization requirements, electives, a cognate area outside Agricultural and Extension Education, and a Master's project or thesis.
Please click on the following ACEL Master's Degree options to learn more:
Our online Master of Science (MS) in Agricultural Communication, Education, and Leadership (ACEL) is completely online with no in-person requirements. Students who earn their MS in ACEL have the opportunity to specialize in Agricultural Communication, Agricultural Education, Community and Extension Education, International Development, or Leadership. Our M.S. students may select either a thesis, project, or exam to complete the degree in addition to program coursework. Online students are not eligible for associateship or fellowship consideration.
- Online M.S. - Thesis Option The purpose of a thesis is to discover new knowledge. Students will work closely with their adviser and graduate advisory committee to identify an appropriate topic and conduct research to discover new knowledge in a systematic manner. M.S. programs should include a thesis research project that reflects individual scholarship and addresses a topic significant and important to the student's specialization area. Each M.S. thesis option program must have a minimum of 30 semester credit hours.
Click here to browse MS Theses from 1927-2022
- Online M.S. - Non-Thesis Option This option requires a non-thesis project or assessment (exam) that, generally, applies or restructures existing knowledge. A project will be a creative endeavor. Examples include: a teaching manual, teaching materials, field study, student self-study package, evaluation material, a needs survey, a communication campaign, an online website, an educational video, a magazine/publication, a multimedia package, or a crisis plan. Each M.S. non-thesis option program must have a minimum of 35 semester credit hours.
Click here to browse MS Non-Thesis Projects from 2016-2023
Click here to apply to our Online MS in ACEL
Students who earn their MS in ACEL have the opportunity to specialize in Agricultural Communication, Agricultural Education, Community and Extension Education, International Development, or Leadership. Our M.S. students may select either a thesis, project, or exam to complete the degree in addition to program coursework. Full-time students who wish to be considered for Graduate Associates should indicate so on their application.
- In-person M.S. - Thesis Option The purpose of a thesis is to discover new knowledge. Students will work closely with their adviser and graduate advisory committee to identify an appropriate topic and conduct research to discover new knowledge in a systematic manner. M.S. programs should include a thesis, project, or exam that reflects individual scholarship and addresses a topic significant and important to the student's specialization area. Each M.S. thesis option program must have a minimum of 30 semester credit hours.
Click here to browse MS Theses from 1927-2022
- In-person M.S. - Non-Thesis Option This option requires a non-thesis project that, generally, applies or restructures existing knowledge. A project will be a creative endeavor. Examples include: a teaching manual, teaching materials, field study, student self-study package, evaluation material, a needs survey, a communication campaign, an online website, an educational video, a magazine/publication, a multimedia package, or a crisis plan. Each M.S. non-thesis option program must have a minimum of 35 semester credit hours.
Click here to browse MS Non-Thesis Projects from 2016-2023
Click here to apply to our In-person MS in ACEL
The M.Ed. program helps qualified candidates earn licensure in adherence with the licensure requirements for the State of Ohio. This two-year program can be completed in four or five semesters and includes a student teaching component. The M.Ed. should focus on one area of specialization: Agricultural Education. Each M.Ed. program must have a minimum of 40 semester credit hours. M.Ed. programs must include a written exam or alternate project that addresses a specific topic or problem in the specialization area, involving a synthesis of theories and knowledge; culminating in a tangible contribution to the resource base of the specialization.
Click here to apply to our M.Ed. in ACEL
Ph.D. Degree
The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) program includes potential specializations in Agricultural Communication, Agricultural Education, Community and Extension Education, Leadership, and International Development. Students interested in this program should have completed 80 credit hours beyond their bachelor's degree with up to 30 credit hours counted from their master's degree. Ph.D. students will complete core courses in theory and research as well as departmental electives and outside cognate courses of their choosing. This allows for a significant degree of individualization and flexibility while maintaining a solid research and theoretical foundation. Former ACEL students have completed doctoral dissertations on various topics in these fields. As a potential future student in ACEL, access to these dissertations can be found on the button below.
Click here to browse ACEL Dissertations from 1938-2022
Click here to apply to our Ph.D. in ACEL
Click here to view our Curriculum Sheets and Handbooks!