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Ph.D. Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communications

The Ph.D. in Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communications is a campus-based, research-oriented doctoral degree program. This specialized degree provides a wide range of educational and research experiences designed specifically to train scholars equipped to address complex issues relating to the food, agriculture, natural resources and human sciences. Students will graduate with a strong theoretical foundation and advanced research skillset necessary for careers in the public or private sector.

Graduates often pursue university faculty positions, public and corporate leadership roles in education, natural resource management, Extension education, international development and other professional careers in agriculture, life and social sciences.

Program Details

Coursework gives the candidate a thorough and comprehensive knowledge in the field of study and methods of research. The program requires a minimum of 64 semester hours, beyond the master’s degree, including dissertation research and 18 hours of research methods. Without the master’s degree, a student must complete a minimum of 96 semester hours.

Students pursuing the Ph.D. may choose to complete a maximum of 12 hours of coursework in supporting areas closely aligned to their research interests and professional goals. While a majority of the courses must be completed on campus, students are eligible to apply up to seven online courses toward the degree program. Students must successfully pass oral and written preliminary exams and complete a dissertation to fulfill program requirements.

• Degree: Ph.D. in Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communications
• Credit Hours: 64 total credit hours

Core Curriculum

While students are allowed the flexibility to select support courses to tailor their graduate program to match their academic interests and career aspirations, students are encouraged to complete four core curriculum courses to gain content knowledge and skills. All students will be assessed on their performance in each of these four core courses: 

Identification of basic principles motivating adults to learn. Procedures to implement these principles in bringing about changes in adult behavior.

Historical and philosophical developments in education that brought about education in agriculture; ideas of individuals that culminated in agricultural education institutions and organizations.

Dynamics of cultural change as theoretical framework for planned technological change; methods of planning and implementing change, its effects and how it can be predicted.

Basic concepts of quantitative and qualitative research; understanding the social science research process; using appropriate methods to address research problems; enabling students to effectively evaluate, consume, and communicate research findings.

Graduate Admissions

Texas A&M University is the premier choice to gain a graduate degree, thanks to our national academic ranking and high financial value. Joining the Aggie Family and gaining an advanced degree from Texas A&M puts you in the highest class of job candidates. If students interested in seeking financial assistance, applicants are highly encouraged to submit application materials by the  fall deadline dates .

What Do I Need to Apply?

• Application through the Texas A&M University GraduateCAS system
• Official transcripts and records, sent to the Office of Admissions
• Note: GRE Scores are not required
• If the GPA is verified as not obtaining the above GPAs, applicants are still eligible to apply. We are fundamentally interested in admitting the best students and recognize that several factors including work experience and life experiences can add to the value of an application. 
• Statement of purpose outlining intent and professional career goals*
• Resume or Curriculum Vitae
• Five letters of recommendation, submitted electronically with your application*
• See Writing Guidelines and Rubric
• MS (Thesis) applicants – One writing sample will be evaluated – A “critique” of an ALEC faculty member’s recent refereed publication (journal article must be within the past five years).
• MS (Non-thesis), MAG, and MAYD applicants – One writing sample will be evaluated – A three-page summary of a selected workshop topic which must include an overview of the topic, a description of the audience, and an explanation of why you selected the topic.
• PhD applicants – Three writing samples will be evaluated; 1) applicant’s previous publication (conference abstract, journal article, etc.), 2) critique of an ALEC faculty member’s recent refereed publication (article must be within the past five years), and 3) a position paper on a selected topic related to the applicant’s research interests.
• Prior to and while in the process of applying, applicants are highly encouraged to meet with and have conversations with faculty in their desired research and interest area. Applicants must secure an ALEC faculty member to agree to endorse admission and serve as an interim faculty advisor.

Statement of Purpose

Applicants must indicate specific interest area and provide well-defined, focused academic and research objectives, why they wish to pursue the degree, and how the degree will assist them in obtaining your career goals. The statement needs to be very specific indicating what research has been completed and provide specific research objectives.

Letters of Recommendation

Students will provide email addresses of recommenders in the online application. Recommenders will be asked to submit their recommendation letter electronically. Only one letter may be from faculty, staff or student employee in the department. Other ideal recommenders might be an immediate or past supervisor; previous professors; a peer or another person from the above categories.

Writing Samples

Applicants must submit writing samples. 

Applications are considered incomplete if missing the require degree-level writing sample noted above.

International Students

Official TOEFL scores are required for international applicants. Official scores must be sent by ETS directly to Texas A&M University using the school code: 6003. Exams must be taken within the last two years. Visit the Graduate and Professional School website for a list of requirements, exemptions and other useful information regarding the TOEFL/IELTS Exams. English proficiency can be demonstrated by one of the criteria below:

• a GRE Verbal Reasoning score of at least 146 (must be taken in last five years) or;
• a minimum TOEFL score of: 80 internet-based testing; 550 for paper-based testing (from a test date within two years) or;
• a minimum TOEFL Essentials score of at least 8.5 (from a test date within two years) or;
• a minimum IELTS score of 6.0 overall (from a test date within two years) or;
• a minimum PTE Academic score of 53 (from a test date within two years)

Admissions Decisions

Applicants will receive an admissions decision either in a letter from the Texas A&M University Office of Admissions and/or from the department. Candidates will receive a decision letter within a month after application submission.

Scholarships and Financial Aid

By submitting an application, all students are considered for scholarships and fellowships. To be considered for additional funding opportunities outside of the department, students are encouraged to submit the  financial aid application  and a  scholarship application , along with their graduate school application. This ensures students are reviewed for all the types of financial aid that you are eligible for. Remember: each student’s financial aid eligibility may vary. The types of financial aid you are offered is based on the data provided on your financial aid and/or scholarship application. If a student is an international or out-of-state resident and receives a competitive scholarship of at least $1,000, they may qualify for a  non-resident tuition waiver . Students interested in assistantships should visit guidelines for applying for a departmental assistantship.

Clarice Fulton

Program Coordinator

979-321-5753

[email protected]

Gary Wingenbach

Professor and Associate Department Head for Graduate Programs

979-321-5756

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