What you will study
UCM’s Agriculture Teacher program for Secondary Education combines traditional values
with modern practices in both education and agriculture. As a result, you’ll be well
prepared to teach tomorrow’s agricultural leaders.
In-person classes for this four-year program are held on our Warrensburg campus, with
some courses available online for your convenience. All are taught by our dedicated
faculty members who have experience in secondary education classrooms and are committed
to providing you with personal attention and instruction. Through the coursework,
you’ll meet agriculture teacher education requirements and be ready to take the state
certification exam.
Transfer students quickly meet agriculture teacher education requirements at UCM
Undergraduate students entering UCM with an Associate of Arts in Teaching degree can
expect to complete two years of coursework in agriculture education. Know that our
faculty are committed to working with you to develop a plan of study that fits your
timeline.
Excellence in Secondary Education
- Top 15% of Most Focused Colleges for Education (College Factual, 2022)
- One of the Most Focused Bachelor's Degree Colleges for Education (College Factual, 2022)
- One of the Most Focused Colleges for Secondary Education (College Factual, 2022)
- Top 4.5% of the Most Popular Colleges for Secondary Education (College Factual, 2022)
- Top 5% of Most Popular Bachelor's Degree Colleges for Secondary Education (College Factual,
2022)
Unique learning opportunities for agriculture teacher education
Secondary Education majors, including those for Agriculture, often tell us they enjoy
UCM’s engaging faculty and dynamic content. When working to complete your agriculture
teacher education requirements, you’ll gain access to:
- Active Learning Classrooms: Engage with UCM faculty and other students in our newly renovated classrooms with
state-of-the-art equipment. Practice teaching using in-demand technology, including
interactive displays, smartboards and web camera equipment.
- A greenhouse facility and our 260-acre teaching and research farm: Apply your classroom learning while you work with machinery, equipment and animals;
plant and harvest crops; and conduct research with new and modern equipment.
- Field experiences: Expect to complete extensive hours in area high schools beginning your sophomore year.
Start by observing and co-teaching with an agriculture teacher before you transition
to leading instruction and developing activities — all prior to student teaching in
your final semester.
- FFA youth chapters: Work with local FFA chapters to gain a deeper understanding of the organization and
learn how to run a chapter at a school in your future.
- Student organizations: Get involved with student organizations for education or agriculture. These include
UCM’s Agriculture Club, Horticulture Club, Collegiate Farm Bureau, Project CTE, the
Delta Tau Alpha national agriculture honor society and the Agriculture Ambassadors.
What can you do with a bachelor’s degree in Agriculture Teacher Education from UCM?
With your BSE degree in Agriculture Teacher Education from the University of Central
Missouri, you can earn agriculture teacher certification to work in Missouri public
schools. From working in a greenhouse to public speaking, welding to animal science,
the lessons you teach will be wide ranging, while your impact on young minds is invaluable.
Job placement for UCM graduates who earn agriculture teacher certification is high,
with most students employed before they finish student teaching. UCM’s Agriculture
Teacher degree can also qualify you for jobs in agriculture — one of Missouri’s leading
industries.
Discover career opportunities with agriculture teacher certification
UCM faculty will help you understand your job opportunities based on agriculture teacher
education requirements. In the meantime, discover what your future holds using the
interactive tool below.
Financial assistance options for your Agriculture Teacher degree
As you plan your path to become an agriculture teacher, your research may include
looking for ways to fund your undergraduate degree. The University of Central Missouri
makes available resources to help you finance your education. These include information on grants, loans and work study opportunities.
Scholarships to help you achieve agriculture teacher certification
Agriculture program alumni fund scholarships to help support our Secondary Education
majors in Agriculture. Other scholarships are available through the College of Education
as well as the university. See if you qualify for the following, among others, when
you use the
- Department of Agriculture Scholarship
- Clarence Pearce Agriculture Scholarship
- Earle F. and Clara L. Low Scholarship in Agriculture
- Missouri Farm Bureau Foundation Agriculture Scholarship
- Swigert Family International Agriculture Scholarship
Hear From Employers
Steve Ritter, Ed.D., Superintendent of SchoolsSherwood Cass R-VIII School District
“UCM graduates are well prepared for their first day in the classroom. They have strong
understandings of how instruction is to be provided, the importance of collaboration
with colleagues and how to manage student behavior. The UCM degree carries a great
deal of weight in the recruitment and hiring process.”
Meet Royce B.
Secondary Education BSE - Agriculture ’21
“I thoroughly enjoyed my time at UCM and feel like UCM shaped me into the teacher
I am today. Most of the education classes are taught by people who understand career
and technical education. Having experts in this area makes a world of difference.
Also, everyone is close and willing to help one another. You will walk away with a
support system to lean on as you begin your career.”
Meet Our Faculty
Mike Keilholz
As lead faculty for UCM’s Agriculture Teacher degree, Mike Keilholz taught agriculture
for over 30 years in a secondary education classroom, where he supervised UCM student
teachers. Today, he still supervises students and co-teaches some UCM classes. Mr.
Keilholz has a master’s degree in Technical Education and has been recognized nationally
for his agriculture ed best practices.
Read Mr. Keilholz’s Bio
Enhance Your Experience
Live in a Learning Community
The transition to college and its coursework can be challenging. To help you adjust
— and excel — the University of Central Missouri makes available our Learning Communities.
Available for first-year students, the Education Learning Community allows you to
live with fellow Education majors and motivate and support each other as you ease
into life at UCM together.
Learn More About Learning Communities
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