Animal Sciences and Agricultural Education

About the Department 

Steven J. Rocca, Department Chair
Ag Sciences Building, Room 112, MS AS 75
559.278.2971
jcast.fresnostate.edu/asae/

Animal Sciences and Agricultural Education prepares students for a future career in agriculture while working towards a degree in Animal Science or Agricultural Education. The Department of Animal Sciences and Agricultural Education offers degrees with options in Agricultural Communication, Teacher Preparation, and various Animal Science options. The Animal Science option has career specialization in the areas of Pre-Professional Animal Science and Pre-Veterinary Medicine. While the Animal Science production management option offers career specialization in Dairy Science, Equine Science, Meat Technology, as well as Livestock and Poultry Management. Our Animal Science curriculum integrates various topics, such as: animal evaluation, behavior, disease, genetics, health, reproduction, environmental management, marketing, muscle biology, nutrition, and physiology. 

The Agricultural Education degree is designed to prepare students for careers in agricultural communication roles or as secondary agricultural teachers. Specializations under this degree include: agricultural business, animal sciences, plant sciences, or mechanized agriculture. 

Instructional Facilities

• Utilizing the Beef, Dairy, Horse, Meats, Poultry, Sheep, and Swine units on campus enhances the practical application for all animal science disciplines;
• Livestock units are all maintained by students with the support of faculty to provide a hands on educational learning experience for our students;
• In addition, veterinary and physiology laboratories are used to further the development of education for our students. 

Interesting Classes You Might Take in Agricultural Communication and Teacher Prep

• Introduction to Agricultural Communication
• Agricultural Publications
• Advertising and Public Relations
• Media Writing
• Publication Design
• Digital and Social Media
• Animal Science
• Plant Science and Ornamental Horticulture
• Agricultural Mechanics
• Organization, Administration, and Supervision of Agricultural Education
• Education in Agricultural Mechanics

What You Can Learn in Agricultural Education and Teacher Prep

• How to effectively communicate agricultural issues with the public
• The qualifications and career opportunities in the field of agricultural communications
• Develop the skills and knowledge necessary for a career in various agricultural communication career areas
• A foundational understanding of the agricultural industry and production systems
• The qualifications for teaching agriculture, and the content of secondary agriculture programs
• Develop the skills and knowledge necessary for a career in agricultural education
• A foundational understanding of the agricultural industry and production systems

Interesting Classes You Might Take in Animal Sciences

• Pet and Companion Animal Management
• Beef Cattle, Dairy Cattle, Horse, Poultry, Sheep, and Swine Production
• Meat Science
• Advanced livestock management courses
• Animal nutrition, genetics and reproduction
• Livestock and market animal evaluation

What You Can Learn in Animal Sciences

• Farm animal behavior, animal welfare, and animal performance
• Proper care and management of livestock
• Anatomy and physiology of farm animals
• Best practices for food safety, sanitation practices and HACCP
• How to analyze and evaluate livestock and meat
• Various skills and abilities required for animal care and veterinary practices

Career Opportunities

The Department of Animal Sciences and Agricultural Education offers options in agricultural communications, teacher preparation, basic animal science, pre-veterinary medicine, livestock business management, dairy science, equine science and meat technology. Courses integrate animal evaluation, behavior, disease, environmental management, genetics, health, marketing, muscle biology, nutrition, physiology, production, and reproduction.

Instruction in the animal science disciplines is enhanced through practical application at the various farm laboratory units. The Beef, Dairy, Horse, Meats, Sheep, and Swine units are maintained to support this educational purpose. In addition, veterinary and physiology laboratories are utilized to complement on-campus education. The department is extremely proud of its outstanding faculty and the level and quality of student activities in which they participate.

What You Can Earn

• Agricultural Communication Specialist, $56,000 average
• Agriculture Journalist, $53,000 average
• Agricultural Brand Manage, $110,000 average
• Public Relations Specialist, $53,000 average
• Social Media Strategist, $46,000 average

What You Can Earn - Teacher Prep

• California Agriculture Teacher, $72,000 average
• Agricultural Literacy Specialist, $50,000 average
• Agricultural Extension Agent/Faculty, $76,000 average

What You Can Earn - Animal Science

• Faculty in the department are your best source to help you identify a career path as well as indicate potential earnings based on your area of training.

Source: Salary fact sheets from ffa.org and AgCareers.com (2023)

Programs

• Agricultural Education - Agricultural Communications Option, B.S.
• Agricultural Education - Teacher Preparation Option, B.S.
• Animal Science - Production Management Option - Dairy Science Emphasis, B.S.
• Animal Science - Production Management Option - Equine Science Emphasis, B.S.
• Animal Science - Production Management Option - Livestock and Poultry Management Emphasis, B.S.
• Animal Science - Production Management Option - Meat Technology Emphasis, B.S.
• Animal Science - Science Option - Pre Veterinary Emphasis, B.S.
• Animal Science - Science Option - Preprofessional Emphasis, B.S.

• Agricultural Science, M.S.

• Agriculture Specialist Credential

• Pre-Veterinary Preparation Specialization, B.S.

• Animal Sciences, Minor