Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communications

http://alec.tamu.edu

Head: Mathew Baker

Associate Head for Graduate Programs: Scott R. Cummings

The Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communications offers graduate studies leading to the degrees of: Master of Agriculture in Agricultural Development, a degree program approved for distance education delivery, Master of Applied Youth Development, a campus or distance education delivery option, and three campus degree program options, Master of Science (Thesis) option, Master of Science (Non-Thesis option), and Doctor of Philosophy, all of which major in Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communications. 

Professionals completing these degrees work in a variety of contextual settings including agricultural communications/journalism, organizational and community leadership, extension education, instructional design and delivery, international agricultural development, teacher education, and youth development.  Departmental faculty members maintain contact with professionals in their field. These contacts enable faculty members to teach and direct research in support of graduate programs with an appreciation of the important and complex problems encountered by professional practitioners. The faculty provide leadership to international and national organizations within the discipline. Students will benefit from the faculty members’ different research inquiries, professional interests, perspectives and knowledge. 

Master's Programs

Four Master’s degree program options are available for individuals interested in career areas such as public relations account manager, communications coordinator, agricultural science teacher, sales representative, county extension agent, leadership consultant, social and public service, instructional designer, international development specialist, and youth specialists. Because of the diverse social and behavioral sciences nature of these careers, degree plans will vary considerably and are generally unique for each individual's career aspirations. 

For more information about the degree programs, visit the specific degree program page.

Doctoral Programs

The Department offers two doctoral programs: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communications and Doctor of Education (EdD) in Agricultural Education. 

The PhD is a campus-based degree program and a specialized, research-oriented degree. The program prepares individuals for university faculty positions, opportunities in natural resource management, extension education, international development, public and corporate leadership roles in education, and many other professional careers in agriculture and life sciences. Coursework gives the candidate a thorough and comprehensive knowledge in the field of study and methods of research.

The (EdD) is a campus-based professional degree designed to prepare a candidate for a position of leadership in the full range of educational settings, including public and private schools and colleges, business, government, industry, and the military establishment. The program is designed for the practitioner; a graduate may be expected to fill instructional, supervisory and administrative positions in which educational services are to be rendered.

For more information about the degree programs, visit the degree program page.

For additional information about the graduate faculty and programs available in the department, contact the program coordinator or visit the ALEC website.

Certificates

The Department offers four certificate programs that will enable individuals to gain specific knowledge and skillsets. All certificates are available for students in our department and from other departments across campus. The Agriculture eLearning Development and the Leadership Theory certificates are approved for distance education delivery, however some courses may also be offered as campus-based courses. The Extension and International Agriculture certificates are obtained by completing synchronous campus-based courses, however some courses may also be completed via distance education delivery. All departmental certificates may be completed as: 1) Part of a degree program or 2) by applying as a certificate-only status (non-degree).

For more information about each certificate program, click on the certificate program tab above or visit the links below.  

Cost to Complete a Certificate

All certificates offered by the department may be completed in an academic degree program or in certificate-only status (non-degree) as academic credit (active enrollment at Texas A&M University).

If an individual is not currently enrolled at Texas A&M University, completion of the certificate courses and "transcripted" completion on a university transcript is obtained by enrolling at Texas A&M University by submitting a certificate only application (non-degree). If accepted, students will complete the courses for academic credit. These courses may be applied towards a degree program in the department. Completing the certificate in this status requires that academic credit is based on Texas A&M University tuition and fees.  Review tuition and fee charges on the Student Business Services website. Tuition and fees charges may be subject to change. 

The expenses related to required software or textbooks is not included in the fees associated with Texas A&M tuition and/or fees for the certificate.  

For more information about completing a transcripted certificate program, visit the ALEC Certificate website. 

Baker, Mathew, Professor
Ag Leadership, Educ & Comm
PHD, Ohio State University, 1990

Boyd, Barry L, Associate Professor
Ag Leadership, Educ & Comm
PHD, Texas A&M University, 1991

Briers, Gary E, Professor
Ag Leadership, Educ & Comm
PHD, Iowa State University, 1978

Dooley, Kim E, Professor
Ag Leadership, Educ & Comm
PHD, Texas A&M University, 1995

Dunn, Allison L, Instructional Assistant Professor
Ag Leadership, Educ & Comm
PHD, Texas A&M University, 2018

Elbert, Chanda D, Associate Professor
Ag Leadership, Educ & Comm
PHD, The Pennsylvania State University, 2000

Elliot, John F, Professor
Ag Leadership, Educ & Comm
PHD, Ohio State University, 1988

Ellis, Gary, Professor
Ag Leadership, Educ & Comm
PHD, North Texas State University, 1983

Ettekal, Andrea, Associate Professor
Ag Leadership, Educ & Comm
PHD, Arizona State University, 2014

Felton Odom, Summer R, Associate Professor
Ag Leadership, Educ & Comm
PHD, Texas A&M University, 2011

Harlin, Julie F, Associate Professor
Ag Leadership, Educ & Comm
PHD, Oklahoma State University, 1999

Herbert, Bruce, Professor
Ag Leadership, Educ & Comm
PHD, University of California at Riverside, 1992

Keszei, David, Professor of Practice
Ag Leadership, Educ & Comm
PHD, Pepperdine University, 2021

Leggette, Holli, Associate Professor
Ag Leadership, Educ & Comm
PHD, Texas A&M University, 2013

Locke, Darlene, Assistant Professor
Ag Leadership, Educ & Comm
EDD, Texas A&M University, 2004

Lockett, Landry L, Senior Lecturer
Ag Leadership, Educ & Comm
EDD, Texas A&M University, 2007

Lund, Randy, Instructional Assistant Professor
Ag Leadership, Educ & Comm
PHD, Texas A&M Univeristy, 2022

Moore, Lori L, Associate Professor
Ag Leadership, Educ & Comm
PHD, University of Florida, 2003

Murphrey, Theresa P, Professor
Ag Leadership, Educ & Comm
PHD, Texas A&M University, 1997

Murphy, Timothy H, Professor
Ag Leadership, Educ & Comm
PHD, Texas A&M University, 1995

Nelson, Chad, Instructional Associate Professor
Ag Leadership, Educ & Comm
PHD, Texas A&M University, 2019

Opat, Kelsi, Instructional Assistant Professor
Ag Leadership, Educ & Comm
PHD, Texas Tech University, 2020
LLM, Friends University, 2015

Preston, Tammie M, Instructional Assistant Professor
Ag Leadership, Educ & Comm
PHD, Texas A&M University, 2014

Quijada Landaverde, Rafael, Assistant Professor
Ag Leadership, Educ & Comm
PHD, The Ohio State University, 2022

Redwine, Tobin D, Instructional Assistant Professor
Ag Leadership, Educ & Comm
PHD, Texas A&M University, 2014

Strong Jr, Robert L, Associate Professor
Ag Leadership, Educ & Comm
PHD, University of Florida, 2010

Strong, Jennifer R, Associate Professor
Ag Leadership, Educ & Comm
PHD, Oklahoma State University, 2007

Wald, Dara, Associate Professor
Ag Leadership, Educ & Comm
PHD, The University of Florida, 2012

Wang, Jun, Assistant Professor
Ag Leadership, Educ & Comm
PHD, Colorado State University, 2013

Wingenbach, Gary J, Professor
Ag Leadership, Educ & Comm
PHD, Iowa State University, 1995

Xu, Zhihong, Associate Professor
Ag Leadership, Educ & Comm
PHD, Texas A&M University, 2020