What advantages does our program have?

• The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities Division of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Education (AFEE) and the University of Minnesota, Crookston (UMC) campus partnership provides several options for you to earn an agricultural education degree that fits you perfectly. The innovative partnership offers you the best of specialized education classes and expert faculty mentoring.
• You can complete all of your classes on the Crookston campus*, Twin Cities campus or combine from both campuses.
• Emphases available in Agricultural Science and Technology Education or Natural and Managed Environmental Education. Both emphases serve students preparing to teach agriscience, agribusiness, agriculture, horticulture, food systems, agrimechanics, and natural resource management, all under the licensure field of agricultural education in public schools at the 5-12 grade level.
• Intern with outstanding teachers and agricultural programs throughout the state.
• The distinctive electronic learning environment at UMC complements the strong agricultural education curriculum. This technological skill (or techno-savvy) makes UMC's graduates formidable educators. They truly understand how technology can affect education for the better.
• Real-world labs, laptop computer technologies, and interactive classes expand your learning experiences.
• UMC has nearly a century-long tradition of focusing on agriculture. Located in the Red River Valley of the North, one of the world's most productive agricultural regions, UMC and its faculty have built a great network with producers, industry, and other professionals.

Clubs and Events

You'll have many opportunities to be involved in clubs, organizations, and competitions that enhance your agricultural learning experience.

• University of Minnesota, Crookston has the only Collegiate FFA chapter in the state. This allows students interested in this organization to continue their involvement and to build on their leadership skills.
• Students also plan and coordinate annual campus contests "Ag Activities Day" for 1,200 high school students and other regional FFA contests (CDEs).
• Also every year in January UMC hosts Ag-Arama, a festival and competition for all UMC students to showcase their skills and interact with alumni, industry professionals, and the general public. Ag-Arama is a great tradition at UMC!

* some courses delivered via interactive television.

What is the UMC Advantage?

Small Campus. Big Degree.
Earn a prestigious University of Minnesota degree in an affordable, close-knit campus setting. The University of Minnesota is one of the most comprehensive public universities in the United States and ranks among the most esteemed.  As a coordinate campus of the University of Minnesota system, the U of M, Crookston offers access to world-class teaching, learning and research resources, as well as enhanced internship and undergraduate research opportunities.  As a graduate, your diploma features one of the most respected names in higher education.

Individual Attention and Mentorship
You expect an education that not only focuses on your needs but also allows your talent and interests to shine through.  The dedicated faculty and staff at the U of M, Crookston serve as true mentors, offering personalized attention through a student-faculty ratio of 16:1 and by working closely with students as mentors and advisors.  You’ll have opportunities to design and conduct research or work alongside faculty on projects that add real value to your educational experience. 

A Technological Edge
Gain a competitive technological edge.  As the original “Laptop U” with more than 15 years of leadership in technology integration, the U of M, Crookston will provide you with a powerful laptop computer and will help you develop the technology skills so essential in today’s information economy.  You’ll gain experience in a day-to-day environment richly immersed in technology and its related applications.  From the classrooms to the residence halls, you’ll have 24/7 access to the Web and class projects, assignments, and presentations.  You’ll make use of current as well as emerging technologies.  Employers consistently report that the U of M, Crookston graduates they hire are extremely well prepared for the demands of today’s technological workplace.

Global Perspectives
The U of M, Crookston has made it a priority to promote an understanding of diversity and global perspectives and to offer you the resources, programs and activities necessary for you to succeed in today’s global economy.  Our international recruitment efforts bring students from more than 20 countries, and our Study Abroad program offers more than 300 opportunities for you to study in 67 different countries.  There are also numerous cultural activities and clubs to participate in.  We offer many ways for you to expand your worldview, gain international experience, and make connections with people from across the globe. 

Applied Learning and Internships
Learn and do!  Gain first-hand exposure to your career field through the U of M, Crookston’s distinctive hands-on approach to learning.  Working with our professional faculty and staff, you’ll not only learn concepts, but apply them through projects, field trips, site visits and interactions with professionals in the field.  Our internship programs give you the chance to practice the principles and theories you’ve learned in the classroom and make contacts with potential employers.  The Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) even allows you to design and conduct research as an undergraduate!

No Out-of-State Tuition and Transfer-Friendly
The U of M, Crookston is the affordable choice for anyone! Whether you live just across the border, across the country or on the other side of the ocean, you pay the same as those who live in Minnesota.  We offer an incredible value that’s also extremely transfer-friendly.  Our staff will work with you to make sure your credits count.  Our faculty advisors will personally talk with you about career goals, degree interests and review your records to develop a plan, and our transfer specialist will help make the process as smooth as possible.          

Excellent Job Placement
The Crookston campus has a reputation for a job placement rate of more than 93% for students in their field of study within six months of graduation. Some programs on our campus have even a higher rate of placement.