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Agricultural Communication

A major or minor in Agricultural Communication combines the resources and expertise of two units, communication and agriculture, to produce trained communicators who can explain science, technologies, and complex agricultural issues to diverse audiences.

The curricular structure of the Agricultural Communication program is listed below for students entering the program. Students must complete an applied capstone course.

Major Requirements

Major: Agricultural Communication

Degree Type: B.A. or B.S.
Required Degree Credits to Graduate: 122

General Education Requirements for Baccalaureate Degree

  • A dynamic list of approved general education courses offered by term is available on the NDSU General Education Requirements website.
  • General education courses may be used to satisfy requirements for both general education and the major, minor, and program emphases, where applicable. Students should carefully review the major, minor, and program emphases requirements for minimum grade restrictions, if applicable.
First Year Experience (F)1
Skills For Academic Success (Also offered with the following prefixes: ABEN, AGRI, BUSN, HD&E, ME, NURS, PHRM)
Communication (C)12
College Composition I
College Composition II
Fundamentals of Public Speaking
Upper Division Writing
Quantitative Reasoning (R) 3
Science and Technology (S) 10
Humanities and Fine Arts (A) 6
Social and Behavioral Sciences (B) 6
Wellness (W) 2
Cultural Diversity (D) *†
Global Perspectives (G) *†
Total Credits40

Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences

Degree Requirements                                                                            

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Degree – The completion of a minor program of study, a second major, or a second degree is required.                                                                            

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) Degree – Second year language proficiency at college level required.

Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences College Requirements

An additional 9 credits are required by the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences for all Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts degree programs of study, except the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, the Bachelor of Music degree, Bachelor of Landscape Architecture degree, and the Bachelor of Science in Architecture degree:

AH&SS College Requirements
Courses used to satisfy any general education requirement cannot be used to also count toward the AH&SS College Requirements. A minimum of three credits is required in each of the 3 following areas for a total of 9 credits. Choose only those courses with the prefixes listed for each area. A course with the WGS prefix can only be used in one area.
Area One: Humanities3
ARB, ENGL, FREN, GERM, HIST, HUM, PHIL, RELS, SPAN, or WGS
Area Two: Social Sciences3
ANTH, CJ, COMM, EMGT, POLS, SOC, or WGS
Area Three: Fine Arts3
ARCH, ART, ENVD, LA, MUSC, or THEA
Total Credits9

General Education Requirements

First Year Experience (F):
UNIV 189Skills For Academic Success (Students transferring in 24 or more credits do not need to take UNIV 189.)1
Communication (C):
ENGL 110College Composition I3
ENGL 120College Composition II3
Select one of the following:3
Business and Professional Writing
Writing in the Technical Professions
Creative Writing
Writing in the Sciences
Writing in the Health Professions
Visual Culture and Language
Writing in the Humanities and Social Sciences
Researching and Writing Grants and Proposal
COMM 110Fundamentals of Public Speaking3
Quantitative Reasoning (R): Select from current education list3
Science & Technology (S):10
A one-credit lab must be taken as a co-requisite with a general education science/technology course unless the course includes an embedded lab experience equivalent to a one-credit course. Select from current general education list.
Humanities & Fine Arts (A): Select from current general education list6
Social & Behavioral Sciences (B): 6
Courses needed to fulfill this category will be completed as part of the pre-communication requirements.
Wellness (W): Select from current general education list2
Cultural Diversity (D):
COMM 216Intercultural Communication3
Global Perspective: Select from current general education list
Total Credits40

Major Requirements

General Education Requirements40
AH&SS College Requirements9
Pre-Communication Requirements:
Students must complete the following 21 credits of selected courses with a grade of 'B' or better to be a communication major. These courses may be repeated only once for grade improvement..
ENGL 120College Composition II3
COMM 110Fundamentals of Public Speaking3
or COMM 111 Honors Public Speaking
COMM 112Understanding Media and Social Change3
COMM 114Human Communication3
COMM 212Interpersonal Communication3
COMM 216Intercultural Communication3
Select one of the following:3
Introduction to Sociology
Introduction to Political Science
Introduction to Psychology
Introduction to Criminal Justice
Professional Agricultural Communication Major
Communication Core:
COMM 133Introduction to Agricultural Communication3
COMM 320Communication Analysis3
COMM 301Rhetorical Traditions3
or COMM 321 Introduction to Communication Theory
COMM 431Communication Ethics and Law3
COMM 465Convergence Media (Capstone)3
Agricultural Core: Students are required to take 12 credits in Agriculture.12
A minor in agriculture is recommended. Consult with your adviser on elective options.
Professional Specialization: Select 3 courses from the following:9
Introduction to Media Writing
Introduction to Web Design
Business and Professional Speaking
Advanced Media Writing
Editorial Processes
Principles of Design For Print
Specialty Writing
Issues in Communication
Degree Requirements: Potential of 22 credits to reach 122.22
Total Credits122

Minor Requirements

Agricultural Communication Minor

Minor Requirements

Required Credits: 21

Required Courses (above general education requirements)
COMM 112Understanding Media and Social Change *3
COMM 114Human Communication *3
COMM 212Interpersonal Communication *3
COMM 216Intercultural Communication *3
COMM 133Introduction to Agricultural Communication3
Professional Specialization: Select 2 courses form the following:6
Introduction to Web Design
Business and Professional Speaking
Principles of Design For Print
Organizational Advocacy and Issue Management
Risk and Crisis Communication
Total Credits21
*

Courses that satisfy general education requirements in the major program of study must be unique from these requirements.

Minor Requirements and Notes

  • A minimum of 8 credits must be taken at NDSU.