The Department of Agricultural Services and Development at Tarleton State University is considered one of the leaders in the discipline.  Faculty represent a wide range of backgrounds and interests, and are involved in a variety of local, state, regional, national and international activities and organizations. Students who pursue a graduate degree in agricultural education work in a variety of contextual settings upon graduation including teacher education, extension education, agricultural communication, leadership education, distance education and international agricultural development.

The department offers a master of science degree in agricultural education. The master of science has two options available – thesis and non-thesis. Tarleton State University has offered a master of science in agricultural education since 1971. It has been a very traditional type of master’s program, with a 36 hour requirement for the non-thesis degree. In 1996, the thesis option was approved, and in 1997 Tarleton conferred its first master’s thesis in agricultural education.

In January 2005, the Agricultural Services & Development Department received approval by the Texas A&M Board of Regents to offer an online master of science degree. Texas AgriLife Extension Service agents, as well as other place-bound agricultural professionals, will be well-served by this distance educational opportunity. Students interested in learning more about this degree plan should contact the department for more information.