Bachelor of Science, Major in Agricultural Communications

This is an archived copy of the 2023-2024 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://catalog.shsu.edu.

This program is designed to meet the needs of students desiring a program of study in agricultural journalism, media (electronic, social, broadcast), public relations, advertising, or several other fields of study. While no minor is required, advanced elective courses permit the student to have a stronger concentration in a particular area of interest.

Additional information: Reference the Program Landing Page for additional information, such as cost, delivery format, contact information, or to schedule a visit.

Bachelor of Science, Major in Agricultural Communications
Core Curriculum
Component Area I (Communication)6
Component Area II (Mathematics) 13
Component Area III (Life and Physical Science)8
Component Area IV (Language, Philosophy, and Culture) 23
Component Area V (Creative Arts)3
Component Area VI (U.S. History)6
Component Area VII (Political Science/Government)6
Component Area VIII (Social and Behavioral Sciences) 33
Component Area IX (Component Area Option) 44
Degree Specific Requirements
MATH 1324Mth for Mngl Decision Making 13
MATH 1342Elementary Statistics3
Major: Foundation
ACOM 3360Communication Skills for Agriculturists3
AGBU 2317Principles of Agri Economics3
AGBU 2385Analysis of the Agr Sector3
AGBU 3361Agribusiness Org & Mgt3
AGBU 4340Agribusiness Marketing3
or AGBU 4363 Agricultural Sales & Consulting
or AGBU 4386 Agriculture & Food Policy
AGRI 1131Intro to Pro Leadership Skills1
AGRI 1309Computers in Agriculture (or approved substitute)3
or CSTE 1330 Introduction to Computers
AGRI 4120Professional Career Skills1
AGRI 4388Prin of Ag Leadership/Comm Dev3
ANSC 1319
ANSC 1119
Animal Science
and Animal Science Laboratory
4
ANSC 2360Animals and Society 33
ANSC 3363Anatomy & Physiology of the Domestic Animal3
ANSC 3376Meat Science3
or ANSC 4398 Animal Diseases & Public Hlth
or AGRI 4350 Agricultural Biosecurity
PLSC 1307
PLSC 1107
Plant Science
and Plant Science Laboratory
4
Major: Prescribed Electives
General Elective 53
Advanced Electives 614
MCOM 1330Media, Culture and Society 23
MCOM 1332Writing For Mass Media3
MCOM 1371Audio Production & Performance 43
MCOM 2371TV & Film Production3
MCPA 2382Design for PR & Advertising3
MCPA 3381Principles Of Public Relations3
MCPA 3383Writing for PR & Advertising3
MCPA 3388Sales and Marketing3
Minor: Not Required 7,8
Total Hours120
1

MATH 1324 satisfies the requirements for Component Area II (Mathematics) and the degree specific requirements.

2

MCOM 1330 satisfies the requirements for Component Area IV (Language, Philosophy, and Culture) and the Major requirement.

3

ANSC 2360 satisfies the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area VIII (Social and Behavorial Science) and the Major requirement.

4

MCOM 1371 satisfies the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area IX (Component Area Option)

5

Choose 3 hours from ACOM, AGBU, AGED, AGRI, EQSC, PLSC, or WMGT to fulfill this requirement. 

6

Choose 14 hours from ACOM, AGBU, AGED, AGRI, EQSC, PLSC, or WMGT to fulfill this requirement. 

7

A minor is not required for this degree program; however, a student has the option to add a minor, but to do so additional semester credits hours may be needed above the degree program’s stated total semester credit hours. 

8

The following minors cannot be paired with this degree program: Minor in Conservation Biology, Minor in Early Childhood Education, and Minor in Wildlife Ecology.

Notes

Students must earn a 2.0 minimum overall GPA in all coursework. 

Students must meet a 2.0 minimum overall major GPA in all major coursework.

Students must earn a 2.0 minimum SHSU GPA in all coursework.

Students must meet a 2.0 minimum SHSU major GPA in all major coursework.

Additional information: Reference the Program Landing Page for additional information, such as cost, delivery format, contact information, or to schedule a visit. 

First Year
FallHoursSpringHours
AGRI 11311AGBU 23173
ANSC 1319
ANSC 1119
4ENGL 130213
ENGL 130113HIST 130143
MATH 132423MCOM 13323
MCOM 133033PLSC 1307
PLSC 1107
4
 14 16
Second Year
FallHoursSpringHours
Component Area IX1ACOM 33603
AGBU 23853MATH 13423
AGRI 1309 or CSTE 13303MCOM 23713
HIST 130243MCPA 23823
MCOM 137153POLS 230663
POLS 230563 
 16 15
Third Year
FallHoursSpringHours
Component Area III4Component Area III4
Component Area V3AGBU 33613
ANSC 236073ANSC 3376, 4398, or AGRI 43503
ANSC 33633MCPA 33833
MCPA 33813MCPA 33883
 16 16
Fourth Year
FallHoursSpringHours
Component Area IX3AGRI 43883
AGBU 4340, 4363, or 43863Advanced Electives911
AGRI 41201 
General Elective83 
Advanced Electives93 
 13 14
Total Hours: 120
1

Satisfies Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area I (Communications).

2

MATH 1324 satisfies the requirements for Component Area II (Mathematics) and the degree specific requirements.

3

MCOM 1330 satisfies the Core Curriculum requirement of Component Area IV (Language, Philosophy and Cultural) and the degree specific requirement.

4

Satisfies Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area VI (U.S. History).

5

MCOM 1371 satisfies the Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area IX (Component Area Option)

6

Satisfies Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area VII (Political Science/Government).

7

ANSC 2360 satisfies the Core Curriculum requirement of Component Area VIII (Social and Behavorial Sciences) and the Major requirement.

8

Choose from ACOM, AGBU, AGED, AGRI, EQSC, PLSC, or WMGT to fulfill this requirement. 

9

Choose from ACOM, AGBU, AGED, AGRI, EQSC, PLSC, or WMGT to fulfill this requirement. 

Notes

Students must earn a 2.0 minimum overall GPA in all coursework. 

Students must meet a 2.0 minimum overall major GPA in all major coursework.

Students must earn a 2.0 minimum SHSU GPA in all coursework.

Students must meet a 2.0 minimum SHSU major GPA in all major coursework.

A minor is not required for this degree program; however, a student has the option to add a minor, but to do so additional semester credits hours may be needed above the degree program’s stated total semester credit hours. 

The following minors cannot be paired with this degree program: Minor in Conservation Biology, Minor in Early Childhood Education, and Minor in Wildlife Ecology.

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) marketable skills initiative is part of the state’s 60x30TX plan and was designed to help students articulate their skills to employers.  Marketable skills are those skills valued by employers and/or graduate programs that can be applied in a variety of work or education settings and may include interpersonal, cognitive, and applied skill areas.

The BS in Agricultural Communications is designed to provide graduates with the following marketable skills:

  • Apply independent and team-working skills to accomplish objectives and meet deadlines in a variety of agricultural industry communication-related enterprises.
  • Demonstrate a work ethic and soft skills that are desirable of an employee.
  • Combine written and oral communication skills to effectively convey a message to the specified audience.
  • Formulate agricultural literacy and advocacy approaches to properly inform and educate the general public about agriculture.