Extension Education

The master’s degree in Extension Education prepares you with skills and knowledge to develop impactful, science-based educational programs and deliver educational resources in your role as an Extension professional. You will help the public identify and address local issues and concerns related to agriculture, leadership, community, family, and youth development. 

You will:

• Explore the principles that guide Extension work.
• Develop programs and community outreach opportunities.
• Customize instructional methods for diverse audiences.
• Develop evaluation strategies for Extension programming.             
• Gather, analyze, and communicate community-based research to various audiences.

What Is Extension Education

Extension Education focuses on “extending” university knowledge and resources to communities. Extension offices serve as a community-based education hub where Extension professionals learn about their local community needs and help develop educational programs to address them. Common initiatives are:

• Agriculture and Natural Resource Management
• Horticulture
• Youth Development
• Family Consumer Sciences
• Nutrition
• Volunteer Development
• Rural Community Development and Economics

Graduate study in Extension Education leads to the Master of Science (M.S.) or Master of Education (M.Ed.) degrees.  

Admission Requirements

In addition to the Graduate School’s required application materials, the program requires:

1) a statement of purpose that addresses the question, “How will this degree help me achieve my professional goals?”

2) a letter from a faculty member/specialist expressing their willingness and ability to mentor the candidate in their area of interest.

Admission is only considered after all required application materials have been received and reviewed.  

This program requires completion of a minimum of 31 credits. 

Extension Education Certificate

Choose a minimum of 9 credits from the following courses.

Adam A. Marx, Ph.D.
University of Missouri, 2014
Research Interests: Adolescent Career Decision-Making, Student Engagement, Teacher Development

David Ripplinger, Ph.D.
North Dakota State University, 2011
Research Interests: Production Economics and Marketing

Meagan Hoffman, Ph.D.
Oklahoma State University, 2016
Research Interests: Positive Youth Development, Youth Wellness

Rachelle Vettern, Ph.D.
North Dakota State University
Research Interests: Volunteer Development, Leadership Development, Youth/Adolescent Development

Brooke Thiel, Ph.D.
North Dakota State University, 2020
Research Interests: Career Readiness, 21st Century Skills, Teacher Development