Masters program in agriculture education moves to CFANS

The University of Minnesota Board of Regents voted to approve that the Agricultural Education M.Ed. initial licensure curriculum move to the College of Food, Agricultural, and Natural Resource Sciences (CFANS) and be renamed “Agricultural Education M.S.” on February 10.

"We are thrilled to welcome the Agricultural Education Master of Science program to CFANS and the St. Paul campus where it aligns with our agricultural, natural resource, and food expertise, and best serves the agriculture education students across our state,” said CFANS Dean Brian Buhr. “We are the only institution in the state that offers post-baccalaureate licensure for agricultural education. We are committed to continually providing contributing to state-wide efforts to decrease the school-based agriculture teacher shortage.”

This relocation and renaming of the initial licensure curriculum is a “coming home” for the agricultural education initial licensure post-baccalaureate program as the agricultural education initial licensure program at the undergraduate-level (B.S.) is also located in CFANS. This decision was made in collaboration with the Department of Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development (OLPD); the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) Dean’s Office; and CFANS; after several discussions and careful consideration of how to best support and enhance this important teacher licensure program.

The Agricultural Education program will continue to make important contributions to the State of Minnesota in this high-demand licensure area. Colleagues in CEHD and CFANS are committed to ongoing successful collaborations, and supporting the quality and innovations of this important field.

The Office of Teacher Education in CEHD will continue to work closely with and support the Agricultural Education licensure program leads, ensuring students are eligible to be recommended for licensure to the Minnesota Board of Teaching. Colleagues in Agricultural Education will also continue to be part of CEHD’s Licensure Program Leads (LPL) and Educator Preparation Policy Council (EPPC) communications group. Current students in the program are being carefully advised so that they may complete their program in a timely manner.