Cultivate Your Career in Agriculture

The MS in Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communications will prepare students for entry or advancement as leaders in agricultural organizations, educators at the secondary, postsecondary or extension levels, and communicators within agricultural and food systems organizations and agencies. Additionally, students may earn Texas teacher certification in Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources through this program. Certified teachers may complete the requirements for principal certification while earning the master's in this program. Students interested in research may select the thesis option.

Two men, one in a cowboy hat and another in a blue cap, are standing in a field beside a large green tractor. They appear to be discussing something while looking at a cell phone.

Careers

Nearly 60,000 agricultural job openings are expected annually in the U.S. and are on the rise, but only 35,000 graduates are available to fill these positions. Agricultural sciences students are provided on-the-job experience with internships in the rapidly growing agri-related areas of industry and business. All assignments are at an approved work situation under the supervision of a designated faculty member. Here, you will apply that in-depth knowledge gained in the classroom to face the day-to-day challenges found in the field.

Career Possibilities and Current Median Salaries

Agricultural and Food Scientist
$74,940
Career and Technical Education Teacher
$65,580
Farmer/Rancher
$75,760
Postsecondary Teacher
$84,380
Postsecondary Education Administrator
$102,610

US DOL Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2022

See Yourself Succeed With a Degree in Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems

wheat field.

Grow Your Passion for Agriculture

East Texas A&M has one of the top hands-on agricultural programs in Texas. Explore horticulture, wildlife, livestock herds and more through exciting experiential learning and modern facilities.

A picture of a cow with a calf.

Join the Family

The College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources is a growing family with a supportive student culture, including multiple student organizations and competitive judging and show teams.

Professional showing students how to cut wood.

Expert Faculty

Work with professors who have ambitious research agendas solving problems on the farm, increasing nursery efficiency and improving worker safety.

A male and female wearing plastic caps looking at a laptop in front of a building
Agribusiness office

Career Readiness

The College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources puts you front and center to potential employers by fostering positive relationships and maintaining a strong public presence throughout the agricultural industry.

a group of people standing around a machine.

What You Will Learn

You will study agricultural economics, agricultural mechanization, leadership, animal science, plant and soil science or horticulture with graduate-level research on and off campus. This research and coursework will help you achieve advancement in an agricultural career or prepare you for a doctoral program.

An advanced degree in agricultural leadership will offer you the opportunity to:

  • Study in-depth agricultural economics, agricultural mechanization, animal science, plant and soil science or horticulture.
  • Participate in graduate-level research using on-campus instructional and research farm facilities or off-campus facilities with cooperating institutions.
  • Prepare for further graduate study and doctoral degrees.

Student Organizations

The Agribusiness Club encourages fellowship among students in both agribusiness and agricultural and applied economics. We provide students with unique networking and professional opportunities and experiences.

Course Delivery and Resources

All required courses for this program are delivered in an online format. Students may select electives from online or face to face options. Thesis students are required to complete a field-based research project under the supervision of their thesis advisor.

Please check the schedule of classes for locations and times. Locations and times are subject to change.

PROGRAM COSTS

Tuition and fees for graduate students taking nine credit hours are $3,669 for Texas residents and $7,341 for non-residents.

Admission

Your Path to Becoming a Lion

Deadlines

Applications are accepted throughout the year.

Graduate Step 1 Part 1

Submit Application

  • Create an account or login if you already have one
  • Complete your profile section first once you log into your account
  • Select “School Search” and select Texas A&M University-Commerce
  • Choose the semester you wish to begin
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  • Select “Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communications, MS” as your “Program.”

Domestic Application Fee 395064

  • Pay the $50 application fee.

Wait to receive an application confirmation email before proceeding to the next step.

  • After you submit your application, the Graduate School will send a confirmation email within two business days to the personal email account you used for ApplyTexas.
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Provisional Status

After you submit your application, you may be granted provisional status, which means you can enroll in one semester of courses. You will not be eligible for financial aid until you submit all of your documents and are accepted into the program.

Submit the following documents after you receive an application confirmation email.

Graduate Coordinator DeRene Sutton 395159

Your Graduate Coordinator

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Contact your previous institution(s) and request that they send your official transcripts to your graduate coordinator.

  • We recommend that you request transcripts for all of your academic work.

All international transcripts must be evaluated and the evaluation submitted to the Graduate School.

We accepts evaluations sent directly from the following Agencies.

  • If a normal evaluation is submitted, official original transcripts with all marksheets will still need to be submitted.
  • If a WES ICAP or equivalent is submitted, we will not need the official transcripts to be submitted separately.

If your institution is unable to submit a digital copy, hard copies may be mailed to:

East Texas A&M University
Attn: Graduate School
PO Box 3011
Commerce, Texas 75429-3011

Submit a statement of educational and professional goals of 500 words or less on the following prompt:

  • Discuss your educational and professional goals and how you believe this graduate degree will help you achieve them.

Submit a resume or curriculum vitae (CV) which includes your academic and professional history and achievements.

Look for application updates in myLeo > Apps > Check Application Status

  • Once an admission decision has been made, you will receive an email to your student email account at myLeo > Apps > Leomail.

  • Apply for scholarships and graduate assistantships once you are admitted.
  • Apply for financial aid by submitting a FAFSA and sending it to school code 003565.
  • Contact your financial aid advisor with any questions.

Once registration opens and you are eligible to enroll, your graduate enrollment specialist will contact you to complete registration.

  • View your degree plan in DegreeWorks.
  • To register for classes, go to myLeo > Student Resources > Registration Menu.

Contact your graduate enrollment specialist if you have any questions regarding your degree plan and registration.

Graduate Enrollment Specialist Lydia Carrascosa 395115

Your Graduate Enrollment Specialist

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Deadlines

  • Fall admission consideration: May 15
  • Spring admission consideration: October 15
  • Summer admission consideration: March 15

Graduate Step 1 Part 1

Submit Application

  • Create an account or login if you already have one
  • Complete your profile section first once you log into your account
  • Select “School Search” and select Texas A&M University-Commerce
  • Choose the semester you wish to begin
Back to menu

  • Select “Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communications, MS” as your “Program.”

International Application Fee

  • Pay the $75 application fee

Wait to receive an application confirmation email before proceeding to the next step.

  • After you submit your application, the Graduate School will send a confirmation email within two business days to the personal email account you used for ApplyTexas.
Back to menu

Provisional Status

After you submit your application, you may be granted provisional status, which means you can enroll in one semester of courses. You will not be eligible for financial aid until you submit all of your documents and are accepted into the program.

Submit the following documents after you receive an application confirmation email.

Graduate Coordinator DeRene Sutton 395159

Your Graduate Coordinator

Back to menu

  • Contact your previous institution(s) and request that they send your official transcripts to:
    East Texas A&M University

    Attn: Graduate School
    2600 S. Neal St.
    Commerce, Texas 75428

All international transcripts must be evaluated and the evaluation submitted to the Graduate School.

We accepts evaluations sent directly from the following Agencies.

  • If a normal evaluation is submitted, official original transcripts with all marksheets will still need to be submitted.
  • If a WES ICAP or equivalent is submitted, we will not need the official transcripts to be submitted separately.

Describe your preparation for graduate work, your academic interests and goals in no more than 500 words.

Submit a resume or curriculum vitae (CV) which includes your academic and professional history and achievements.

You do not need to submit test scores if you have completed (all years) of a bachelor's or higher degree from a regionally accredited university in the United States.

Request that your scores from one of the following be sent to East Texas A&M University:

  • TOEFL (Minimum Scores: IBT 79, or CBT 213, or PBT 550)
  • IELTS (Minimum Score: 6.00 band overall)
  • PTE (Minimum Score: 53 overall or higher)
  • Duo Lingo (Minimum Score: 105)

*Scores must be less than two years old.

Submit these documents to the Office of International Programs once you have been admitted

  • Official sponsor statement
  • Bank statement from the sponsor with a balance of at least $26,025 USD which is less than 1 year old

See the Office of International Program’s “Confirmation of Financial Resource” for more details.

Look for application updates in myLeo > Apps > Check Application Status

  • Once an admission decision has been made, you will receive an email to your student email account at myLeo > Apps > Leomail.

  • Apply for scholarships and graduate assistantships once you are admitted.
  • Apply for financial aid by submitting a FAFSA and sending it to school code 003565.
  • Contact your financial aid advisor with any questions.

Once registration opens and you are eligible to enroll, your graduate enrollment specialist will contact you to complete registration.

  • View your degree plan in DegreeWorks.
  • To register for classes, go to myLeo > Student Resources > Registration Menu.

Contact your graduate enrollment specialist if you have any questions regarding your degree plan and registration.

Graduate Enrollment Specialist Lydia Carrascosa 395115

Your Graduate Enrollment Specialist

Back to menu

We Are Here To Help!

Our faculty and staff are excited to guide you through the admission process and answer questions or concerns. Give us a call or email and we will get back to you right away.

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