Advance Your Career with a Degree from Mississippi State

Master of Agriculture – Agricultural and Extension Education Concentration

Advance your career in agriculture with the fully online, 30-credit hour, non-thesis Master of Agriculture with a concentration in Agricultural and Extension Education (MAGAEE) from Mississippi State University. This graduate program is designed for professionals who want to lead, educate, and make a lasting impact in agricultural communities.

Program Highlights

The Agricultural and Extension Education concentration prepares students to:

  • Design and deliver formal and non-formal educational programs tailored to the needs of agricultural stakeholders
  • Apply research-based evaluation methods to improve programs continuously
  • Communicate agricultural knowledge effectively to diverse audiences
  • Strengthen leadership and communication skills essential for careers in education, extension, and outreach

Students also deepen their expertise in agricultural science while gaining the tools to educate and lead in today’s evolving agricultural landscape.

Tuition & Fees

Tuition per credit hour $581.00
Instructional Support Fee per credit hour $25.00

Tuition and fees listed are subject to change and do not include all possible charges. Additional fees may apply. Please refer to the master class schedule for individual course charges.

Is This Program Right for You?

This program is a great fit for professionals who are passionate about the human side of agriculture—those who want to teach, mentor, and support agricultural development in schools, communities, and organizations.

  • 100% Online – Complete all coursework from anywhere in Mississippi or across the country
  • Flexible Schedule – Courses are delivered asynchronously to accommodate work and life schedules
  • Affordable Tuition – All online students pay in-state tuition, no matter where you live

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the MAGAEE program are prepared for leadership and education-focused roles within agriculture, including:

  • Extension Agent or Specialist
  • Agricultural Education Instructor
  • Agricultural Program Coordinator
  • Agricultural Communications Specialist
  • Community Development Specialist

Program Structure – 100% Online Agriculture Degree

The Master of Agriculture – Agricultural and Extension Education Concentration is a fully online, 30-credit hour program designed for working professionals in the agriculture industry who want to lead, educate, and make a meaningful impact in their communities.

 

  • Flexible Pace: Complete 10 courses (3 credit hours each), including core courses and electives. Study full-time or part-time to fit your schedule.
  • Course Requirements:
    • 18 credit hours in Agricultural and Extension Education concentration courses
    • 12 credit hours of advisor-approved electives tailored to your interests and career goals
  • Scholarly Project: In your final semesters, you’ll complete a scholarly project aligned with your professional goals and area of study. This applied project is designed to help you demonstrate your knowledge and contribute to your field.
  • Comprehensive Exam: Upon completing all coursework, students must successfully defend their scholarly project and pass a comprehensive oral exam to earn the degree.

Agricultural and Extension Education Concentration Courses

Course Number Course Title Credit Hours
AELC 8100 Creative Component 3
AELC 8203 Advanced Communications 3

AELC 8243 Administration and Supervision

OR

AELC 8413 Methods of Planned Change

3

AELC 8503 Program Planning and Development in AEE

OR

AELC 8153 Curriculum Development in Agricultural Education

3
AELC 8593 Historical Foundations of AEE 3
AELC 8703 Evaluation of Agriculture and Extension Education 3
Advisor approved electives 12
Total Hours: 30

Admissions – Online Master of Agriculture (MAGAEE)

Ready to advance your education with a flexible, fully online master’s degree in agriculture? Follow the steps below to apply for the Master of Agriculture – Agricultural and Extension Education Concentration at Mississippi State University.

Admissions Requirements
  • Bachelor’s Degree: Must be from a fully accredited four-year institution.
  • GPA Requirement: Minimum 3.0 GPA on the last four semesters of undergraduate coursework.
  • No GRE Required – The GRE is not required for admission to this program.
Application Deadlines
  • Fall Semester – August 1
  • Spring Semester – December 1
  • Summer Semester – May 15

Admission Options

Domestic/International Classified Admissions

Students seeking full admission into the Master of Agriculture with a concentration in Agricultural and Extension Education program should apply as a classified student.

  1. Submit online application. You will choose Master of Agriculture with a concentration in Agricultural and Extension Education as your Program of Study and Online Education as your campus.
  2. Statement of Purpose
  3. Three letters of recommendation
    • You will be asked to submit three names and three email addresses of individuals you are using as references. Once you click submit, these individuals will be sent an email from MSU, which will provide a link to an online form for completing their recommendations.
  4. One official transcript showing bachelor’s degree or progress toward degree. (For international students, please submit a copy in native language along with translated copies, if appropriate.)
  5. One official transcript showing ALL work after bachelor’s degree. (For international students, please submit a copy in native language along with translated copies, if appropriate.)
    • Electronic transcripts should be sent to: gradapps@grad.msstate.edu Mississippi State University, Graduate School. Only one copy of an electronic transcript is required.
    • Paper Transcripts Address (USPS):
      Mississippi State University
      The Office of the Graduate School
      P.O. Box G
      Mississippi State, MS 39762
    • Physical Street Address (for DHL, Fed Ex, UPS, DHS, etc.):
      Mississippi State University
      The Office of the Graduate School
      175 President Circle
      116 Allen Hall
      Mississippi State, MS 39762
  6. Payment of $60 non-refundable application processing fee for domestic students.
    Payment of $80 non-refundable application processing fee for international students.
  7. Once you are admitted, you will receive an email with complete instructions on registering for classes and contacting your advisor

Attention International Students

Applicants whose native language is not English must submit the results of either the TOEFL or IELTS exam. Prospective students should contact ETS (TOEFL) or IELTS for testing information. The Graduate School maintains a list of countries exempt from English language requirements. Please consult the Graduate Catalog for specific English Language test score requirements.

English Language Test Score Requirements

TOEFL Essentials TOEFL iBT IELTS Admission Eligibility Outcome
9 and above 79 and above 6.5 and above Eligible for admission for any term and a graduate assistantship Considered proficient in English. Applicant is not required to enroll in an ESL course unless his/her academic program requires a higher test score.
8.0-8.5 69-78 6.0-6.4 Eligible for admission for Fall, Spring, or Summer and a graduate assistantship. Scores indicate a need for assistance in English writing, research, and editing skills. Applicant must enroll in EAP 5323 Academic Research and Writing. Student may enroll in up to 6 credit hours in his/her graduate program.
7.0-7.5 61-68 5.5-5.9 Eligible for admission for the Fall & Spring terms only. Not eligible for a graduate assistantship until ESL requirements are met. Applicant is required to enroll in ESL 5120, a 9-hour intensive English course (graded on a Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory basis). The student must complete this course prior to registering for courses in his/her graduate program. The student must then enroll in EAP 5323.
6.0-6.5 54-60 4.6-5.4 Eligible for admission for the Fall term only. Not eligible for a graduate assistantship until ESL requirements are met. Applicant is required to enroll in ESL 5110, an intensive English course (graded on a Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory basis). The student cannot enroll in courses in his/her program until ESL 5110 and ESL 5120 have been successfully completed. The student must then complete ESL 5120 before proceeding to enroll in EAP 5323.
5.5 and below 53 and below 4.5 and below Not eligible for admission to the Graduate School. Applicant can enroll in the English Language Institute on a non-credit basis after which he/she can retake the English-language test in preparation for submitting another application to graduate study at MSU.

Contact Information

Photo of Samantha Clardy

Samantha Clardy

Enrollment & Onboarding Coach

  • General Program Questions
  • Assistance with Admissions Process & Requirements
Headshot of Mark Jimerson

Mark Jimerson

Retention & Engagement Coach

  • Current Student Inquires
  • Academic & Support Services Assistance
Headshot of Kelsey Harvey

Dr. Kirk Swortzel

Agriculture Education, Leadership and Communications

  • Professor