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. ACEL offers three Master's Degrees: the Online M.S., the In-person M.S. (thesis or non-thesis option), and the M.Ed. degrees. In-person 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. A description of the online coursework can be found below.
Please click on the following ACEL Master's Degree options to learn more:
*This program revision is currently moving through the curriculum approval process. We anticipate approval coming sometime in the spring semester and a program start date of autumn 2026*
The online M.S. program has a fixed curriculum on a static course rotation. Typically, students will take two courses per term. Each course is scheduled in a 7-week session so that students are only working on one course at a time (courses are scheduled in 6-week sessions during the summer term). All students begin the program with two bookend courses and then will take a rotation of six courses before concluding the program with two final bookend courses.
The program capstone project will include two components: 1) a peer reviewed journal publication ready for submission after a successful defense (acceptance not required) and 2) and an outward facing dissemination piece. The scaffolding of the curriculum will help prepare students and encourage them to work on their capstone project throughout the program. Specifically, ACEL 7800, ACEL 8855.01, ACEL 7700.01, and ACEL 8877.01 will prepare and encourage progress on the journal article, while ACEL 8150.01 will prepare and equip them to complete the dissemination piece, and finally ACEL 7999 gives them dedicated research hours. The dissemination piece may include, but is not limited to: a press release, a one-page infographic, a video, a report, an Ohioline document/factsheet, or other outward facing deliverable.
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!