Agricultural Communication - BS

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College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences

Department of Applied Sciences, Technology and Education

About This Degree

There is a high demand for communication professionals with knowledge and background in agriculture because the agriculture-related industry, from farming and livestock to food production and human nutrition, encompasses a significant portion of careers worldwide.

Students in this degree take coursework in a variety of agricultural disciplines, including animal science, plant science, agricultural economics, nutrition, and landscape architecture. They also take courses in video production, photography, graphic design, website design, marketing and sales, and agricultural communication. This training provides students with the basic knowledge to draw from as they communicate the importance of the food and fiber industry.

For more information about Agricultural Communication and Journalism, see the website.
Admitted and current students must meet with an advisor.
Contact Marci Chidester, marci.chidester@usu.edu, 435-797-8434 for advising.
Log on to Degree Works to check student-specific program progress.
The highest math requirement for this degree is STAT 1040 - Introduction to Statistics (QL) or STAT 1045 - Introduction to Statistics with Elements of Algebra (QL) .

Minimum University Requirements

Total Credits: 120
Credits of C- or better: 100
Total credits taken through USU: 30
Total major required credits taken at USU: 10
Minimum Grade Point Average (many majors require a higher GPA): 2.0 GPA
Credits of upper-division courses (#3000 or above): 40
Upper-division credits taken at USU: 20
General Education Requirements
University Studies Requirements
Undergraduate Degree Requirements

Admission Requirements For This Program

New freshmen: Admitted to USU in Good Standing
Transfer students from other institutions or other programs at USU: 2.5 GPA

Technical Agriculture Courses (22 credits)

ADVS 1110 - Introduction to Animal Science (BLS) 3 credit(s)
NDFS 1020 - Science and Application of Human Nutrition (BLS) 3 credit(s)
PSC 2010 - Soils, Waters, and the Environment (BPS) 3 credit(s)
APEC 3010 - Agricultural Economics (DSS) 3 credit(s) or
APEC 1600 - Natural Resources and American Economic Institutions (BAI) 3 credit(s)
Select nine credits from the following courses:
ADVS 2500 - Feeds and Feeding 3 credit(s)
ADVS 3200 - Ethical Issues in Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (DSC) 3 credit(s)
ADVS 3500 - Principles of Animal Nutrition 3 credit(s)
APEC 5710 - Frontiers in Agribusiness 3 credit(s)
ASTE 1010 - Introduction to Agricultural Systems Technology 3 credit(s)
ASTE 5260 - Environmental Impacts of Agricultural Systems (CI) 3 credit(s)
ASTE 5620 - Food Security and Solutions 3 credit(s)
PSC 1800 - Introduction to Horticulture (BLS) 3 credit(s)
WILD 4000 - Principles of Rangeland Management 3 credit(s)

Agricultural Communication Courses (21 credits)

ASTE 1710 - Introduction to Agricultural Communication 3 credit(s)
ASTE 2100 - Personal and Team Leadership 3 credit(s)
ASTE 2900 - Food Matters: Ethics, Economics, and the Environment (BSS) 3 credit(s)
ASTE 3050 - Technical and Professional Communication Principles (CI) 3 credit(s)
ASTE 3090 - Graphic Design in Agriculture and Media Industries 3 credit(s)
ASTE 4900 - Senior Project Research and Creative Opportunity 1-6 credit(s) (3 credits required)
CMST 1020 - Public Speaking (BHU) 3 credit(s)

Statistics Course (3-5 credits)

Select one:

STAT 1040 - Introduction to Statistics (QL) 3 credit(s) or
STAT 1045 - Introduction to Statistics with Elements of Algebra (QL) 5 credit(s) or
STAT 1080 - Foundations of Data Science (QL) 3 credit(s)

Emphasis Courses (33 credits)

JCOM 1130 and JCOM 1500 require a grade of C+ or higher.

BCIS 1340 - Digital Video Production 3 credit(s)
JCOM 1130 - Media Writing 3 credit(s)
JCOM 1500 - Introduction to Mass Communication (BSS) 3 credit(s)
Select 24 credits from the following emphasis courses:
ADVS 5650 - Science Communication 3 credit(s)
APEC 2310 - Small Firm Management 3 credit(s)
APEC 2830 - Agribusiness Sales and Marketing 3 credit(s)
ASTE 2250 - Occupational Experience in Agriculture 1-6 credit(s)
ASTE 4250 - Occupational Experiences in Agriculture 1-6 credit(s)
BCIS 1300 - Website Design 3 credit(s)
CMST 2110 - Interpersonal Communication (BHU/HR) 3 credit(s)
CMST 3020 - Advanced Public Speaking 3 credit(s)
CMST 3250 - Organizational Communication (CI) 3 credit(s)
CMST 3280 - Organizations and Social Change 3 credit(s)
CMST 3330 - Intercultural Communication (DSS) 3 credit(s)
CMST 4700 - Health Communication (CI) 3 credit(s)
TCR 2100 - Introduction to Technical Communication 3 credit(s)
TCR 2110 - Digital Writing Technologies 3 credit(s)
TCR 4210 - Visual Communication Design 3 credit(s)
TCR 3110 - Accessibility and Disability Rhetorics 3 credit(s)
ENVS 4700 - Communicating Sustainability (CI) 3 credit(s)
ITLS 3310 - Information and Media Literacy 3 credit(s)
ITLS 4205 - Integrated Multimedia Production 3 credit(s)
ITLS 4320 - Writing for Design (CI) 3 credit(s)
JCOM 1560 - Radio Production I 3 credit(s)
JCOM 2010 - Media Literacy (BSS) 3 credit(s)
JCOM 2220 - Introduction to Video Media 3 credit(s)
JCOM 2400 - Introduction to Social Media 3 credit(s)
JCOM 4010 - Mass Communication Ethics (DSS) 3 credit(s)
JCOM 4300 - Integrated Marketing Communication 3 credit(s)
JCOM 4410 - Gender and the Mass Media 3 credit(s)
JCOM 5420 - The Mass Media and Politics 3 credit(s)
MSLE 3500 - Fundamentals of Marketing 3 credit(s)
MSLE 4510 - Consumer Behavior 2 credit(s)
MSLE 4534 - Survey Research 2 credit(s)
MSLE 4555 - B2B Marketing, Pricing and Merchandising 2 credit(s)
MSLE 4565 - Sales Management 2 credit(s)
MSLE 4590 - Marketing Strategy 3 credit(s)

Directed Electives (24 credits)

The following elective courses are recommended, but students may choose any classes that fit their interests. Students may also use directed electives to pursue a minor.

ADVS 2080 - Beef and Dairy Herd Health and Production Practices 3 credit(s)
ADVS 2090 - Sheep Production Practices 3 credit(s)
ADVS 2120 - Swine Production Practices 2 credit(s)
ADVS 2190 - Horse Production Practices 3 credit(s)
ADVS 3650 - Live Animal and Carcass Evaluation 3 credit(s)
ADVS 4560 - Principles of Animal Genetics and Breeding (QI) 3 credit(s)
APEC 1400 - Introduction to Agriculture Policy (BSS) 3 credit(s)
APEC 2010 - Introduction to Microeconomics (BSS) 3 credit(s)
APEC 2830 - Agribusiness Sales and Marketing 3 credit(s)
APEC 5040 - Rural Economic Development and Agriculture (CI) 3 credit(s)
ART 1050 - Introduction to Photography 3 credit(s)
ASTE 1120 - Forage and Harvest Equipment 3 credit(s)
ASTE 1130 - Planting and Tillage Equipment 3 credit(s)
ASTE 1610 - Agricultural Machinery Engines 3 credit(s)
ASTE 1620 - Agricultural Machinery Power Trains 3 credit(s)
ASTE 2200 - Electricity in Agricultural Systems 3 credit(s)
ASTE 2710 - Orientation to Agriculture Education 2 credit(s)
ASTE 3625 - Youth Development Education 2 credit(s)
ASTE 3900 - Special Problems in Agricultural Systems Technology and Education 1-6 credit(s)
ASTE 4100 - Agricultural Structures and Environment (QI) 3 credit(s)
ASTE 4155 - Nonformal Teaching Methods 3 credit(s)
ASTE 4215 - Community Programming and Evaluation 3 credit(s)
ASTE 5220 - Volunteer Programs and Partnerships 3 credit(s)
CMST 3400 - Persuasion 3 credit(s)
CMST 3600 - Communication and Conflict 3 credit(s)
ENGL 3630 - The Farm in Literature and Culture (CI/DHA) 3 credit(s)
ENVS 2340 - Environment, Natural Resources, and Society (BSS) 3 credit(s)
ENVS 3010 - Natural Resource and Environmental Policy 3 credit(s)
ENVS 3400 - Fundamentals of Tourism 3 credit(s)
ENVS 3600 - Living with Wildlife (DSC) 3 credit(s)
ENVS 4000 - Human Dimensions of Natural Resource Management (DSS) 3 credit(s)
ITLS 4215 - Video and Audio Design and Production I 3 credit(s)
ITLS 4265 - Internet Design and Development 3 credit(s)
ITLS 5230 - Instructional Graphic Production I 3 credit(s)
MSLE 3855 - Sustainability Marketing 2 credit(s)
MSLE 3875 - Strategic Advertising Campaigns 2 credit(s)
MSLE 4050 - International Marketing 3 credit(s)
MSLE 4535 - Promotional Strategy 2 credit(s)
MSLE 4540 - Social Influence in Marketing 2 credit(s)
MSLE 4545 - Digital Marketing 2 credit(s)
MSLE 4550 - New Product Ideation and Brand Growth 2 credit(s)
MSLE 4560 - Strategic Sales (CI) 2 credit(s)
NDFS 1010 - Chocolate: Science, History, and Society (BPS) 3 credit(s)
PSC 2200 - Pesticide Certification 2 credit(s)
PSC 2600 - Herbaceous Plant Materials 3 credit(s)
PSC 2620 - Woody Plant Materials: Trees and Shrubs for the Landscape 3 credit(s)
PSC 3000 - Fundamentals of Soil Science 4 credit(s)
PSC 3100 - Soils and Civilization (DSC) 3 credit(s)
PSC 3300 - Residential Landscapes 3 credit(s)
PSC 3400 - Arboriculture 3 credit(s)
PSC 3500 - Structure and Function of Plants 3 credit(s)
PSC 3700 - Plant Propagation 4 credit(s)
PSC 3800 - Fundamentals of Organic Agriculture 3 credit(s)
PSC 3810 - Turfgrass Management 3 credit(s)
PSC 4050 - Greenhouse Management and Crop Production 4 credit(s)
PSC 4200 - Temperate Zone Fruit Production 3 credit(s)
PSC 4280 - World Field Cropping Systems 3 credit(s)
PSC 4310 - World Food Crops and Cropping Systems: The Plants That Feed Us 3 credit(s)
PSC 4320 - Forage Production and Pasture Management 3 credit(s)
PSC 4400 - Modern Vegetable Production 3 credit(s)
PSC 4420 - Landscape Irrigation Design (QI) 2 credit(s)
PSC 5500 - Environmental Physics of Land Ecosystems and Climate 3 credit(s)
SOC 3610 - Rural People and Places (DSS) 3 credit(s)
SOC 4620 - Sociology of the Environment and Natural Resources (DSS) 3 credit(s)
SOC 4720 - Effective Community Engagement 3 credit(s)
UAS 1010 - Unmanned Aircraft Systems - Remote Pilot 3 credit(s)
UAS 2700 - Introduction to Unmanned Aircraft Systems Aerial Photography 3 credit(s)
WATS 1200 - Biodiversity and Sustainability (BLS) 3 credit(s)
WATS 3700 - Fundamentals of Watershed Science (CI) 3 credit(s)
WILD 2200 - Ecology of Our Changing World (BLS) 3 credit(s)

Open Electives

Total elective credit is determined by General Education courses taken, degree type selected, additional credits earned, and any additional math or other prerequisite courses needed. Please consult your  Academic Advisor for details.

Total Credits: 120

Suggested Degree Map - Agricultural Communication, BS

Agricultural Communication, BS - 4 Year Degree Map