A Comparison of the Master's Degrees Offered in the Department of Agricultural and Extension Education at North Carolina State University

Degree Name	Master's of Agricultural Education	Master's of Science in Agricultural Education	Master's of Extension Education	Master's of Science in Extension Education	Master's of Agricultural Education (Distance Track)***
Intended Audience	Individuals who currently (or would like to) teach agriculture at the middle school, high school and/or post-secondary level.  Courses are taught on campus in a live classroom setting.	Individuals who currently (or would like to) teach agriculture at the middle school, high school and/or post-secondary level. Also individuals whom are interested in conducting research or thinking about pursuing a doctoral degree in the future. Courses are taught on campus in a live classroom setting.	Individuals who want to gain an in depth knowledge of informal education that is focused on extension, youth development, rural development, international education and family and consumer sciences. Courses are taught on campus in a live classroom setting.	Individuals who want to gain an in depth knowledge of informal education that is focused on extension, youth development, rural development, international education and family and consumer sciences. Also individuals whom are interested in conducting research or thinking about pursuing a doctoral degree in the future. Courses are taught on campus in a live classroom setting.	Individuals who can not easily come to campus. This program is specifically designed for extension agents, agricultural teachers, youth educators, and other professionals involved in communicating agricultural and family and consumer science information to others.  All of the courses are on-line.
Minimum Hours Required for the Degree	36 Semester Hours	36 Semester Hours	36 Semester Hours	36 Semester Hours	36 Semester Hours
Hours of Distance Education Courses Allowed	9 Semester Hours	9 Semester Hours	9 Semester Hours	9 Semester Hours	36 Semester Hours
Hours That Can be Transferred or Completed as a PBS student*	15 Semester Hours	15 Semester Hours	15 Semester Hours	15 Semester Hours	15 Semester Hours
Entrance Requirements**	3.0 Undergraduate GPA Three Recommendations GRE scores	3.0 Undergraduate GPA Three Recommendations GRE scores	3.0 Undergraduate GPA Three Recommendations GRE Scores	3.0 Undergraduate GPA Three Recommendations GRE scores	3.0 Undergraduate GPA Three Recommendations GRE Scores
Program Requirements	1. Complete the six core required courses (18 hours) AEE 501 AEE 505  AEE 526 AEE 529 or AEE 595E AEE 535 AEE 578 2. Complete 12 hours of subject matter (technical) courses 3. Complete 6 hours of electives.	1. Complete the six core required courses (18 hours) AEE 501 AEE 505  AEE 526 AEE 529 or AEE 595E AEE 535 AEE 578 2. Complete 12 hours of subject matter (technical) courses 3. Write a thesis (student will enroll in AEE 695 for 6 semester hours of credit)	1. Complete the seven core required courses (21 hours) AEE 501 AEE 505  AEE 521 AEE 523 AEE 526 AEE 577 AEE 578 2. Complete 15 hours  of  electives.	1. Complete the seven core required courses (21 hours) AEE 501 AEE 505  AEE 521 AEE 523 AEE 526 AEE 577 AEE 578 2. Complete 9 hours of electives. 3. Write a thesis (student will enroll in AEE 695 for 6 semester hours of credit)	1. Complete the core required courses (18-21 hours) depending upon your specialization: Teaching - AEE 501, 505, 526, 529 or 595E, 535 & 578 Extension - AEE 501, 505, 521, 523, 526, 577 & 578 Other - AEE 501, 505, 526, 530, 560 & 578 2. Complete 15-18 hours of electives.  Those who desire a "M" teaching license will need to complete 12 hours of subject matter (technical) courses
Exit Exam	Comprehensive Exam Presentation of a Professional Portfolio	Defense of the Thesis Presentation of a Professional Portfolio	Comprehensive Exam Presentation of a Professional Portfolio	Defense of the Thesis Presentation of a Professional Portfolio	Comprehensive Exam Presentation of a Professional Portfolio
Curriculum Code	ATE (MR)	ATE (MS)	AEE (MR)	AEE (MS)	ATZ (MR)

Notes:

*Students may transfer up to 15 semester hours into a Master's program. These courses may be from another university or courses taken in the Post Baccalaureate Studies, NDS program at NC State. However there are a number of restrictions that apply. All courses that are to be counted toward the degree must be completed within a six year time span started with the 1st course counted and ending with the last course required for graduation. The courses must be letter graded with a grade of B or better (S or U graded courses do not count). Certain courses such as divinity, veterinary medicine, and other professional degree courses may not be used.

**The student must have a 3.0 overall undergraduate GPA or a 3.0 in the last two years of study or a 3.0 in the major. If none of these are a 3.0, the student might be admitted on a provisional basis if the undergraduate GPA is near a 3.0. Otherwise it is recommended that the student complete some graduate courses as a continuing education student through the McKimmon Center before applying to the Graduate School.

***The term "Agricultural Education" can have two meanings. This Agricultural Education degree is a broad degree designed for extension agents, agricultural teachers, community college instructors and other related professionals in agriculture. The term Agricultural Education encompasses both informal and formal education in agriculture. Some people get hung up on the title because they associate it only with high school instructional programs in agriculture. The USDA uses the term "Agricultural Education" to mean all instruction in agriculture including collegiate instruction. This degree is based on the USDA definition of agricultural education.