Department of Agricultural and Technology Education Program Learning Outcomes

Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Education - Teaching Option

Description              

The Teaching Option permits a student to choose a balanced program among agricultural economics, agricultural mechanics, animal and range sciences, and plant and soil sciences while also gaining teaching and presentation skills. Students preparing to teach spend 14 weeks as teaching candidates in an approved high school agriculture department. Graduates can receive a Montana Class Two (standard) teaching license, which permits them to teach in middle and high schools. This licensure is recognized in most other states throughout the U.S.

Learning Outcomes

The following are Program Learning Outcomes for the AGED Teaching Option:

1. Demonstrate proficiency in content knowledge and skills essential for effectively teaching Agricultural Education to students in grades 5-12.
2. Possess the necessary pedagogical knowledge and skills to proficiently design, execute, and assess classroom and laboratory instruction.
3. Demonstrate the fundamental pedagogical knowledge and skills required for adeptly organizing, executing, and assessing classroom and laboratory management.
4. Demonstrate proficiency in effective communication.
5. Demonstrate the application of ethical leadership principles and decision-making practices.
6. Apply critical thinking skills within the field of Agricultural Education

Assessment Strategy:

Montana State University’s Teacher Education Program underwent a joint Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and State of Montana review September 24–26, 2023, with applicable standards for initial and advanced licensure programs met. Following the review, CAEP reaffirmed MSU’s accreditation through Spring 2030. The review included MSU’s undergraduate teacher preparation programs, including Agricultural Education and Technology Education, as well as other initial and advanced educator preparation programs.

Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Education - Communications, Leadership, and Extension Option

Description

The Agricultural Education Communications, Leadership, and Extension Options emphasize academic coursework to prepare students to educate about emerging agricultural issues to diverse audiences in non-formal settings. These tracks provide broad-based coursework that includes animal science, plant science, agricultural economics, non-formal teaching methods, adult and youth education, communications, and leadership development. Students will develop professional verbal, written, and technological skills to educate about the agricultural industry. Students will not receive secondary teacher certification in this option.

Learning Outcomes

The following are Program Learning Outcomes for the AGED CLE Option:

1. Demonstrate content knowledge required to succeed in non-formal agricultural education.
2. Demonstrate the educational and teaching skills needed to function successfully in non-formal agricultural education.
3. Analyze issues in non-formal agricultural education fields and develop strategies to solve those issues.
4. Communicate effectively.
5. Demonstrate excellent interpersonal (personal and social) skills essential to educating in non-formal settings for youth and adults.
6. Apply critical thinking skills when making decisions within the discipline of Agricultural Education

Bachelor of Science in Technology Education Broadfield Teaching Option

Description

Technology Education is an integrated discipline designed to develop students' technological literacy. Through the study of technological systems and associated resources, processes, and societal impacts, students will gain an understanding of technology’s roles in past, present, and future society. The Technology Education Broadfield Teaching program at MSU is for individuals wishing to teach industrial technology at the middle or high school level or to work within an industry where a broad understanding of industrial technological concepts is important. The option is designed for in-depth study of Technology Education and prepares completers for careers as teachers in 5-12 settings.

The Technology Education Program is sequenced into three phases to develop a progression of interrelated information. The foundation phase constitutes the introduction to technology. This introduction forms the base for future study and an understanding of basic technological concepts. The synthesis phase begins the in-depth study of the primary technology education components of communication, construction, manufacturing, and power/energy. During this phase, students in the teaching option are involved in professional education coursework, while students in the industrial technology option begin selecting coursework that is tailored to meet specific career goals. The capstone phase is structured to integrate the information and experiences of the preceding phases through applied learning activities. Teaching option students will complete a semester-long teaching candidacy program at the middle/high school level. Students in 5-12 and K-12 teaching majors are required to take courses in certain areas of professional education. A grade of "C" or better is required in all professional education courses; a "C-" is not acceptable. See the Teacher Education Program website for entrance requirements.

Learning Outcomes

The following are Program Learning Outcomes for the TEBT-BS Option:

1. Demonstrate knowledge of current national and Montana curriculum standards for general education, career and technical education, and industrial trades/technology education, including professional skills certifications.
2. Demonstrate and apply safe laboratory skills based on business, industry, and government standards, emphasizing facilities, personal safety, and environmental factors.
3. Demonstrate activity-oriented classroom and laboratory instruction.
4. Describe relevant programmatic models for career and technical education focused on classroom/lab instruction, work-based learning, and professional skills development through career and technical student organizations appropriate to the discipline.
5. Apply and use content knowledge to solve individual and social problems, including gender equity and culturally sensitive opportunities.
6. Demonstrate and apply ethical professional practices through civic engagement, advocacy, and active participation in professional enhancement activities.
7. Apply knowledge for building professional relationships with stakeholders.

Assessment Strategy

MSU’s Teacher Education Program successfully completed a joint CAEP/State of Montana review in 2023, with applicable standards for initial and advanced licensure programs met. CAEP reaffirmed MSU’s accreditation through Spring 2030.

Bachelor of Science in Applied Technology Management

Description      

The Applied Technology Management (ATM) program prepares students for careers that require both strong technical expertise and practical leadership skills. Students gain hands-on experience across a wide range of technical fields, including: Welding and fabrication, Computer-Aided Design (CAD) and 3D printing, CNC machining and advanced manufacturing processes, Electronics, automation, robotics, and drones, and Materials and processes. These technical competencies are reinforced with coursework in leadership, economics, and project planning, equipping graduates to move confidently between the shop floor and the front office.

The program culminates in two major experiential learning opportunities: Capstone Project – A two-semester, team-based project where students integrate their technical and leadership skills to solve a real-world problem or develop an innovation from concept through implementation. Industry Internship – Professional experience in a business or industrial setting that aligns with each student’s career goals.

Graduates of the Applied Technology Management program are prepared to enter a wide range of technology-driven industries, where they can apply both their technical know-how and management insight to lead projects, improve processes, and drive innovation.

Learning Outcomes

The following are Program Learning Outcomes for the ATMG-BS Option:

1. Demonstrate and apply safe laboratory skills based on business, industry, and government standards, with emphasis on facilities, personal safety, and environmental factors.
2. Apply and use content knowledge to solve individual and industry problems.
3. Apply quality controls for machinery and human resources relevant to industrial settings.
4. Demonstrate and apply ethical professional practices through civic engagement, advocacy, and active participation in professional enhancement activities.
5. Apply contextual applied and action research to identify potential future challenges and opportunities in industrial technology settings.
6. Demonstrate skills appropriate to managing and leading people.

Minor in Technology Education Teaching

Description

The teaching minor in Technology Education accompanies most teaching majors and allows students to complete the necessary coursework to add a Technology Education/Industrial Technology 5-12 teaching endorsement, broadening employment and career opportunities. All required professional education courses are to be completed through the student's primary teaching major. As with all required courses leading to a teaching licensure endorsement, the minimum grades for all courses leading to the teaching minor must be a C or better; C- grades do not fulfill the requirements for licensure endorsement.

Learning Outcomes  

The following are Program Learning Outcomes for the TTCH-MINOR:

1. Demonstrate knowledge of current national and Montana curriculum standards for general education, career and technical education, and industrial trades/technology education, including professional skills certifications.
2. Demonstrate and apply safe laboratory skills based on business, industry, and government standards, emphasizing facilities, personal safety, and environmental factors.
3. Demonstrate activity-oriented classroom and laboratory instruction.
4. Describe relevant programmatic models for career and technical education focused on classroom/lab instruction, work-based learning, and professional skills development through career and technical student organizations appropriate to the discipline.
5. Apply and use content knowledge to solve individual and social problems, including gender equity and culturally sensitive opportunities.
6. Demonstrate and apply ethical professional practices through civic engagement, advocacy, and active participation in professional enhancement activities.
7. Apply knowledge for building professional relationships with stakeholders.

Assessment Strategy

MSU’s Teacher Education Program successfully completed a joint CAEP/State of Montana review in 2023, with applicable standards for initial and advanced licensure programs met. CAEP reaffirmed MSU’s accreditation through Spring 2030.