Major name change captures emerging communication careers
Beginning in fall 2026, students who study and learn multimedia communication skills in the College of Agriculture will major in Agricultural and Natural Resources Communication.
Previously known as Agricultural Communication, the major’s new name more accurately reflects the breadth of the college’s science expertise and the mutual relationship between agriculture and natural resources.
“The new name, Agricultural and Natural Resources Communication, is more descriptive of career opportunities available to our students,” said Dr. Mark Tucker, professor and coordinator of the program.
Students majoring in Agricultural and Natural Resources Communication have a major name that more accurately describes students’ expertise to potential employers. The major’s name change was one of the recommendations emerging from a yearlong assessment of the academic program. In addition to the name change, program faculty and staff also updated and strengthened the curriculum.
The major’s updated curriculum will better prepare students for the workplace. And for those who are interested in natural resources careers, the major name change more accurately describes students’ expertise to potential employers. The new name also is in line with program changes at peer institutions nationally, including the University of Florida and Kansas State University.
Among the curricular changes, students will take a course that prepares them to engage with audiences on controversial issues in science, agriculture, and natural resources. The course — ASEC 385 (Communication Strategies for Controversial Issues in ANR) — is taught by Dr. Linda Pfeiffer, associate professor, and Beth Forbes, director of science communication.
“Communicating about science and technology today requires more than sharing science facts,” Forbes said. “When we consider the issues affecting agriculture, communicators have to better understand public perspectives and how to address those concerns.”
The overall number of communication credits required for the degree increased from 14 to 18, which provides more opportunities to customize the degree to address industry needs and student interests.
The Agricultural Communication academic program major at Purdue originated in the early 1970s. The program is administered by the College of Agriculture in cooperation with the Brian Lamb School of Communication.
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