PhD program 

Overview

The Department of Agricultural and Extension Education and Evaluation (AEEE) prepares and supports highly-qualified agricultural and extension professionals to teach, lead, and serve youth and adults. AEEE’s focus is on two of our greatest assets—the agricultural industry and our human capital. Students in this program learn about effective teaching methods and techniques as they prepare for careers in both formal and non-formal educational environments of the agricultural sector.

Concentrations are available in Agricultural Leadership and Development and Teaching in Formal Education. Students interested in the Agricultural Education major should contact the Department of Agricultural and Extension Education and Evaluation for deadlines and specific details about each concentration. Students who anticipate entering the Teaching in Formal Education concentration for teacher certification should inform the faculty advisor at the time the undergraduate program of study is being developed. Students interested in a teacher certification program other than agricultural education should contact the College of Human Sciences and Education.

Agricultural and Extension Education and Evaluation, Ph.D.

The Doctor of Philosophy degree in Agricultural & Extension Education is designed to provide professional advancement in a variety of career contexts including, but not limited to, higher education, state agricultural education leadership, Cooperative Extension, agribusiness, government, and non-profits. This program requires 60 approved credit hours above the Masters degree, successful completion of the comprehensive general examination, and the completion of a doctoral dissertation. The doctoral dissertation is a substantial research project planned, implemented, and reported under the guidance of the student’s graduate committee.

Click to view the Ph.D. Graduate Course Plan

  • Acceptable GRE score
  • GPA - 3.0 minimum per LSU Graduate School requirements
    Writing sample
  • Respond to the following:
    • Philosophy of Agricultural or Extension Education (maximum of 2 pages)
  • Transcript
    • Letter of intent which includes career goals and research interests

  • Students who have been a part of our master’s program must reapply for the PhD program.
  • PhD program will require a minimum of 61 hours beyond the master’s degree.
  • Students with a bachelor’s degree only will have to complete the master’s degree before being allowed to apply for the PhD program.
  • AEEE—Research Methods in AEE (or its equivalent) and ELRC 4006— Introduction to Applied Statistics in Educational Research (or its equivalent) are leveling courses that all PhD students are expected to have completed as part of their master’s degree program.
  • Students who do NOT have one or both of these courses will be required to take them but CANNOT count them toward the 61 hour requirement.
  • Agricultural education students wishing to pursue a PhD must have 3 years of successful agricultural education teaching experience to be admitted to the PhD program. All other applicants must have 3 years of

Graduate Assistantships

A limited number of graduate assistantships are available at both the M.S and Ph.D. levels. Students who are on assistantship will work within the department for a minimum of 20 hours a week and may have responsibilities teaching course work, serving as a teaching assistant, serving as research assistants, or assisting with departmental programs. Assistantships are competitive and will often require interviews for specific positions. For more information about assistantship availability, please contact Dr. William Richardson, Professor and Graduate Advisor at [email protected].

 

GRADUATE CATALOG

LSU GRADUATE school

LSU COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE

William Richardson, Ph.D.
Professor, Graduate Advisor
[email protected]
125 J.C. Miller Hall
Baton Rouge, LA 70803
225-578-2196