Common Questions about Agricultural Communication
2. Are student employment opportunities and internships available?
3. How many students are in the program?
4. Is the job market promising for agricultural communication graduates?
5. How long will it take me to graduate?
6. Can I transfer credits from another college or university?
7. Am I eligible for scholarships?
8. Are extracurricular activities available?
9. Will I have the opportunity to publish my communications work?
If you have other questions about Agricultural Communication, feel free to contact us at any time.
Students majoring in agricultural communication take a combination of course work in Ohio State’s College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences and School of Communication. In addition, students must select one of 20 minors in agriculture or natural resources such as agribusiness, rural sociology, animal science, or natural resources management. (The agricultural education minor is not open to agricultural communication majors.) Since university students need more than a specific education in a narrow field, they also take classes to complete the General Education Curriculum (GEC). The GEC allows students to develop the fundamental skills essential to collegiate success across major programs. Click here to view agricultural communication course descriptions.
2. Are student employment opportunities and internships available?
Numerous part-time employment options are available to Ohio State students. Many departments and offices employ students for a variety of positions across campus. Students will also find a range of employment possibilities from area businesses and organizations. Most employers allow students to plan their work schedules around their classes.
At least one professional communications internship is required of students during their junior or senior year. The Ohio State campus and the Columbus area offer multiple opportunities for satisfying this requirement. However, students may also choose to meet this requirement in another location. Your agricultural communication adviser will assist you in finding an approved internship.
3. How many students are in the program?
While enrollment varies from year to year, the agricultural communication program usually has 50-60 undergraduate majors as well as several graduate students. All students are assigned a faculty adviser who helps them select courses, locate internships and prepare for professional employment in the field.
4. Is the job market promising for agricultural communication graduates?
Agricultural communication is a diverse field that encompasses many careers and communication settings. There is a consistent demand for agricultural communication graduates with expertise in writing, editing, public relations, marketing, advertising, and broadcasting. Ohio State agricultural communication alumni pursue careers at farm magazines, newspapers, public relations agencies, agribusinesses, farm commodity organizations, government agencies, and radio and television stations. Some also continue their education by enrolling in graduate school at Ohio State or other major universities. Beginning salaries for agricultural communicators depend on location, individual experience, and area of specialization.
5. How long will it take me to graduate?
Ohio State’s undergraduate agricultural communication program can be completed in four years. Students who take lighter class loads or enroll in extra course work may need more than four years to meet graduation requirements. Faculty advisers work with students to help them plan their programs and complete graduation requirements in a timeframe that meets their personal and professional goals. Click here to view a sample four-year graduation plan.
6. Can I transfer credits from another college or university?
Students may transfer to Ohio State’s agricultural communication program from another college or university or from another department at Ohio State. Students who are considering a transfer should contact an agricultural communication adviser as soon as possible for more detailed information and instructions.
Current students may also transfer course credit from another college or university to Ohio State to meet specific degree requirements. Students should contact an agricultural communication adviser for more information before enrolling in transfer classes.
7. Am I eligible for scholarships?
The agricultural communication program oversees a number of scholarships that are dedicated specifically to students majoring in agricultural communication. Each year, more than a dozen students receive agricultural communication scholarships. To be eligible, students must have declared their major in agricultural communication and have a minimum 2.5 cumulative grade-point-average. As indicated in the scholarship descriptions, some scholarships specify additional requirements for eligibility.
Agricultural communication students are also eligible for a variety of scholarships offered by the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences. To inquire about these opportunities, students should visit Room 100 of the Agricultural Administration Building or consult an agricultural communication adviser.
8. Are extracurricular activities available?
A major extracurricular activity recommended for agricultural communication students is membership in the Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow (ACT), a national student organization. The Ohio State ACT chapter provides excellent opportunities for students to develop communication and leadership skills, interact with students on other campuses, and compete in a national awards and critique program. Ohio State ACT has been recognized as an outstanding student organization in the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences.
A variety of other campus organizations and activities are available to students, depending on their personal and professional interests. Additional information is available from an agricultural communication adviser.
9. Will I have the opportunity to publish my communications work?
Ohio State provides a wealth of opportunities for students to publish and showcase their expertise in writing, editing, photography, design and broadcasting. For example, the AgriNaturalist college magazine provides an excellent avenue for students to showcase their editorial skills while focusing on agricultural and environmental subjects. Students also gain editorial skills and publishing opportunities in a journalism course sequence associated with the university student newspaper, The Lantern.
Internships provide additional opportunities for students to publish their work while developing valuable professional contacts.
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