Graduate Certificate in Agricultural Sciences, Education, Extension, and Communication (ASEEC)
Employers in many agricultural sectors are seeking students with a combination of technical skills in a science content area, with communication and education skills to effectively circulate information to clientele and the public.
This graduate certificate will provide an opportunity for students to gain those skills and showcase their expertise. Completion of the certificate also prepares learners for Extension-type jobs or Agriculture teaching positions and provides an opportunity for students to apply credits toward the master’s degree program.
Learn to process and deliver information to a variety of audiences, including colleagues, journalists, potential investors and more.
Quick Facts
Program Length: 1 year
Start Dates: 3 Times per Year
Learning Format: 100% Online
#1 in Agricultural / Biological Engineering Program
#2 in Best College for Precision Agriculture
#8 Most Innovative University Nationwide
#1 in Agricultural / Biological Engineering Program
U.S. News & World Report, 2022
#2 in Best College for Precision Agriculture
PrecisionAg.com, 2018
#8 Most Innovative University Nationwide
U.S. News & World Report, 2021
Plan of Study
All Graduate Certificate in Agricultural Sciences, Education, Extension and Communication courses are taught asynchronously, meaning students can access their courses whenever it best fits their schedules. The certificate consists of 9 credits.
ASEC 52000 Foundations of Ag Education, Extension, and Communication (3 credit hours)
- An introduction to the disciplines of communication, formal education, and non-formal engagement extension
- Critical analysis of the historical and philosophical assumptions, current strategic intents and relevant policies underpinning the discipline of agricultural education - inclusive of Extension education and agricultural communication - and project the impact existing economic, social and political issues may have in this field in the next 15 to 25 years. Instructor permission required.
Note: Additional courses will be added to this list.
ASEC 58500 Science Communication (3 credit hours)
- This course utilizes foundational research and commentary from scholars to track the evolution of media and our ability as scientists to understand and effectively communicate these issues to a non-science audience. Science and technology are evolving faster than society’s ability to understand, assimilate, and make policies to address these increasingly complex issues. As a result, controversies arise over issues such as climate change, forest management, genetically modified foods, energy choices, genetic engineering, nanotechnology, water management, and agricultural practices, etc. This course covers the range of issues in the field of science communication including: the nature of science, how to translate evidence for a lay audience, media practices, reporting and qualifying uncertainty, human psychology and belief systems, information processing, and the most current research for messaging science. We will work together to examine the foundational scholarly literature in this area and how it is/ or is not reflected in construction of popular media. You will use this knowledge to construct both compelling oral science narratives, and a science story for popular consumption.
ASEC 54600 Communication and Issues Engagement for Agricultural Professionals
(3 credit hours) *Beginning January 2024
- Successful professionals and organizations must be able to communicate effectively on a wide range of issues. Potentially controversial issues may arise quickly in today’s mass media and social media environment, leaving managers, and sometimes entire industries, ill prepared to respond. In this eight-week online course, students will gain exposure to public engagement principles and practices useful for professionals in agricultural, natural resource and other industries. The course is designed primarily for professionals whose primary training is not in communication. Topics include evidence-based best practices for monitoring and analyzing issues; evaluating news media and social media influences on controversial science-based issues; and communicating effectively to various publics to achieve strategic objectives. Relevant theoretical perspectives and communication strategies are embedded in course readings and online discussions.
Note: Additional courses will be added to this list.
International Engagement and Development Strategies (3 credit hours)
- This course provides an overview of cross-disciplinary, cultural, theoretical frameworks, communication tools, and assessment methods applied to international agricultural development and engagement. Lectures, panel discussions, and case studies on appropriate methods of development and engagement, international project planning, intercultural effectiveness, principles of sustainable agricultural, food, community development, and program/project monitoring and evaluation will be the basis of assignments and teamwork. This eight-week course will provide the theoretical and social frameworks and principles needed to successfully work in multi-agency partnerships on international development projects.
ASEC 53100 Global Learning for Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (3 credit hours)
- This is a graduate-level course in which students research, design, and evaluate communication and education methods and theoretical frameworks to apply appropriate cultural, community engagement, targeted outcomes of a population defined by the student. The central experience is an international/intercultural professional development experience immersed in rural and urban communities and cultures. Students will learn and develop global perspectives and effective engagement strategies to address agronomic, cultural, and community engagement realities affecting agriculture, life sciences and natural resources.
Tuition and Fees
| Indiana Residents | Out-of-State Residents | |
| Cost per Credit Hour | $700 | $750 |
| Credit Hours | 9 | 9 |
| Total Cost* | $6,300 | $6,750 |
*Textbook fees are not included in the price. Tuition and fees are subject to change by the Purdue University Board of Trustees. Rates are for the 2022-2023 academic year.
Distinguished Faculty
Purdue University College of Agriculture faculty members are nationally and internationally acclaimed researchers and teachers. Their accomplishments make Purdue Agriculture a leader at the local, state, national and international levels in food, agricultural, life and natural resources sciences. Our faculty include three World Food Prize laureates and many other distinguished professors.
Professor Agricultural Sciences Education and Communication, Agricultural Sciences Education and Communication
Dr. Brady is a Horse Extension Specialist, who focuses her engagement work toward youth and adults working with horses. Dr. Brady’s research interest is in better understanding human perspectives and drivers related to equine well-being, and then the implementation of distance learning strategies to enhance care, management and well-being of horses. Dr. Brady collaborates with Equine Extension Specialists nationally as a member of the Leadership team for Extension Horses, Inc. (www.extensionhorses.org), and eXtension HorseQuest, and internationally with the International Society of Equitation Science (www.equitationscience.com).
Associate Professor of Agricultural Sciences Education and Communication
My research interests center around communicating complex science to the public both through the media and using upstream, participatory engagement practices. Specifically, my interests include examining the systemic factors that influence the breakdown of communications between scientists and the public (or other non-technical audiences). By engaging with stakeholders early in the technology design process, identifying stakeholder concerns, and working with social-scientists to facilitate ongoing two-way dialogue during the technology design process, scientists could minimize technology rejection — yet scientists too often fail to use evidence-based communication practices. Additionally, communication occurs in a socio-political context affected by resources, institutional practices, and political processes in the public sphere that need to be accounted for in effective communication design. Given the recent rise in highly controversial science and technology issues, the study of systemic factors affecting upstream, participatory communication design is an important and emerging area in research on science communication.
Head/Prof Agricultural Sciences Education and Communication, Agricultural Sciences Education and Communication
Professor of Agricultural Sciences Education and Communication, Agricultural Sciences Education and Communication
Dr. Mark Russell began his career with animal science degrees from Cornell University (BS) and the University of Illinois (MS and PhD). After serving as the Horse Extension Specialist at Illinois and Purdue, he taught 18 different animal sciences courses and expanded the curriculum, which positioned students to use their technical information by applying it to real-world problem-solving experiences—focusing on team collaboration and effective community engagement. Over the last 15 years he has become most known for his focus on extension methods, leadership development, and intercultural effectiveness outcomes through service learning and travel courses where his students have learned informal educational engagement strategies in many international work settings, including Ecuador, Romania and Haiti. He is passionate about students discovering a worldview of cultures beyond their comfort zone and became the Head of the Department of Agricultural Sciences Education and Communication in the College of Agriculture in 2015.
Professor Agricultural Sciences Education and Communication, Agricultural Sciences Education and Communication
Dr. Tucker is professor and coordinator of the Agricultural Communication academic program in the College of Agriculture and holds a courtesy faculty appointment in the Brian Lamb School of Communication. His research focuses on risk communication and public acceptance of emergent science and technology. The work explores gaps in consumer and expert risk assessments with the goal of heightening public engagement with science and improving public decision-making. Dr. Tucker has authored or co-authored 32 refereed publications, two agricultural communication textbooks, two Sage Encyclopedia entries and an edited book chapter.
Admissions Requirements
To be considered for admission into the Graduate Certificate in the online Agricultural Sciences, Education, Extension and Communication (ASEEC) program, you must have a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution with a GPA of 3.0 or higher. You will also need to submit the following items: