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Associate in Arts Degree with a Concentration in Agriculture - Teacher Education (114)

The agriculture education concentration will prepare students to transfer to a four-year institution to earn a bachelor's degree in agricultural education and teacher licensure (Grades 9-12) in the state of Illinois.  

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Transfer Considerations

1. The Agricultural education major leads to professional educator license with 9-12 endorsement in the state of Illinois. To teach in Illinois public schools, teachers must be licensed by the state of Illinois. Information regarding Illinois standards for Professional Educator license is available on the Illinois Board of Education Website at www.isbe.net. Per Illinois law, a criminal background investigation will be required on applicants for employment. Students who have questions about this law should seek counseling with SVCC faculty or advising staff early in their program to determine if specific criminal background convictions may have an effect on their participation and eligibility.
2. Completion of AGR 170 is highly recommended. In addition, students are strongly encouraged to choose additional Agriculture core courses.
3. For future agricultural teacher resources, go to www.isbe.net/Pages/Ag-Future-Teachers.aspx

Competitive Admissions

1. A minimum grade point average of 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale), dependent on the transfer school requirements, is required for program admission.
2. Students will also need to achieve a C or better grade in general education and major coursework.

Program Contacts at Sauk Valley Community College

• Academic Advising 815-835-6354
• Kevin M. Larsen, Assistant Professor of Agriculture 815-835-6279

Minimum Total Credit Hours - 66-69 Hours

Suggested Course Sequence

First Semester - 16-18 Hours

• Chemistry with Lab 4-5 Semester hour(s)

• AGR170 - Intro to Agriculture Education ( 3 Semester Hours)

  An introduction to Agricultural Education programs and delivery systems, state and federal policies; the nature of teaching in school and non-school settings; types and purposes of Agricultural Education; program components; approaches to teaching, teacher characteristics; community relationships; educational change and innovation; trends and developments in Agricultural Education. A general study of the nature of Agricultural Education along with its opportunities and responsibilities will be explored. Prerequisite: None 3 Semester hour(s) Lecture/Lab Hours: 3 lec/week Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI): AG 911

• EDU105 - Prep for Careers in Education ( 2 Semester Hours)

  This course introduces the student to licensure standards, course sequences, and skills required for education majors. Students will be introduced to the Illinois Professional Teaching Standards and will become familiar with the roles and responsibilities of teachers and the dispositions of effective teachers. Students will be exposed through observation activities to varying grade levels/ classrooms with the purpose of aiding in choosing the correct licensure path. Prerequisite: None 2 Semester hour(s) Lecture/Lab Hours: 2 lecture/week

• ENG101 - Composition I ( 3 Semester Hours)

  This course (1) develops awareness of the writing process; (2) provides inventional, organizational, and editorial strategies; (3) stresses the variety of uses for writing; and (4) emphasizes critical skills in reading, thinking, and writing. Prerequisite: Required placement score on approved English placement test, high school unweighted GPA of 3.0 or higher, or a grade of C or higher in ELA 099. 3 Semester hour(s) Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI): C1 900 Lecture/Lab Hours: 3 lec/week

• FYE101 - First Year Experience ( 1 Semester Hours)

  The focus of this course is how to be successful in college. Study skills, goal setting, academic planning, time and money management, and information research skills are among the core topics included in this course. Within a supportive environment, students will share their college experiences and develop connections with fellow students and SVCC staff. Prerequisite: None 1 Semester hour(s) Lecture/Lab Hours: 1 lec/week

• MAT203 - Calculus & Analytic Geometry I ( 4 Semester Hours)

  The elementary concepts of differential and integral calculus are introduced and applications are discussed. These include limits, continuity, the derivative, rules of differentiation, the indefinite and definite integral. Trigonometric functions are dealt with. Some applications are: related rates, graphing, extreme value problems, and Newton's method for finding roots of equations. Prerequisite: A grade of C or better in MAT 121, College Algebra, AND MAT 122, Trigonometry OR appropriate placement (see current placement score prerequisite chart) 4 Semester hour(s) Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI): M1 900-1, MTH 901 Lecture/Lab Hours: 4 lec/week

  OR

  MAT220 - Finite Mathematics ( 3 Semester Hours)

  A study of some major topics in finite mathematics: interest, annuities, matrix theory, matrix operations, solutions of systems of inequalities, linear programming by graphing and Simplex methods, principles of counting and probability. Applications of these topics in business management, economics, social science, and natural science are included. Prerequisite: Grade of C or better in MAT 121 OR appropriate placement (see current placement score prerequisite chart) 3 Semester hour(s) Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI): M1 906 Lecture/Lab Hours: 3 lec/week

  OR

  MAT221 - Calc for Bus & Soc Science ( 4 Semester Hours)

  A brief course in elementary differential and integral calculus. Primarily for students of business, economics and social science, with emphasis on applications. Prerequisite: MAT 121 with a grade of C or higher or appropriate placement score, or four years of college preparatory high school mathematics with grades of C or higher OR Math 3 with a grade of C or higher. 4 Semester hour(s) Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI): M1 900-B Lecture/Lab Hours: 4 lec/week

  OR

  MAT240 - Elementary Statistics ( 3 Semester Hours)

  An introduction to basic concepts in statistical methods including measures of central tendency, measures of dispersion, probability, theoretical and empirical distribution, estimation, tests of hypotheses, linear regression and correlation. Prerequisite: a grade of C or better in MAT 081 or MAT 078 (or higher) OR concurrent enrollment in MAT 040 OR appropriate placement score (see current placement score prerequisite chart) 3 Semester hour(s) Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI): M1 902 Lecture/Lab Hours: 3 lec/week
   

Second Semester - 18 Hours

• Fine Arts 3 Semester hour(s)
• Personal Health and Development 1 Semester hour

• AGR102 - Intro to Agriculture Econom ( 4 Semester Hours)

  An introduction to the principles of economics including production principles; production costs, supply and revenue; profit maximization; consumption and demand; price elasticity; market price determination; and competitive versus noncompetitive market models. These principles are applied to agriculture and the role of agriculture in the United States and world economies. Other topics include a survey of the world food situation; natural, human and capital resources; commodity product marketing; and agricultural problems and policies. Prerequisite: None 4 Semester hour(s) Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI): AG 901 Lecture/Lab Hours: 4 lec/week

• AGR109 - Soil Science ( 4 Semester Hours)

  An introduction to the chemical, physical, and biological properties of soils; the origin, classification, and distribution of soils and their influence on people and food production; the management and conservation of soils; and the environmental impact of soil use. Prerequisite: None 4 Semester hour(s) Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI): AG 904 Lecture/Lab Hours 3 lec, /2 lab hours/week

• ENG103 - Composition II ( 3 Semester Hours)

  An advanced course in essay writing with emphasis on formal research, ENG 103 serves to develop a proficiency in the collection and selection of data as applied to the completion of a formal research paper. In addition, students receive instruction in logic and reasoning, including the fundamentals of argumentative and persuasive writing. Prerequisite: A grade of C or higher in ENG 101 or its equivalent or consent of instructor. 3 Semester hour(s) Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI): C1 901R Lecture/Lab Hours: 3 lec/week

• PSC163 - Am Government & Politics ( 3 Semester Hours)

  Students will examine American constitutional foundations and democratic values, explore the role of public opinion and the character of the political process, and understand the role of the media and interest groups in policy-making. Students will gain an understanding of how the major branches of the federal government work, and improve skills in evaluating and analyzing current public policy issues. Prerequisite: None 3 Semester hour(s) Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI): S5 900 Lecture/Lab Hours: 3 lec/week

Third Semester - 17-18 Hours

• *EDU Electives 3 Semester hour(s)
• ** AGR Electives 4 Semester hour(s)
• Humanities 3 Semester hour(s)
• Life Science (BIO) with Lab 4-5 Semester hour(s)

• PSY103 - Introduction to Psychology ( 3 Semester Hours)

  This course is designed to introduce the student to major concepts, theories, principles, and research in the field of psychology. This course will survey the scientific study of human and animal characteristics and behavior. Major topics from biological, behavioral, cognitive, personality, developmental, abnormal, and social psychology theory and research will be emphasized. Universal characteristics and individual differences will be explored Prerequisite: None 3 Semester hour(s) Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI): S6 900 Lecture/Lab Hours: 3 lec/week

Fourth Semester - 15 Hours

• *EDU Electives 3 Semester hour(s)
• Humanities/Fine Arts 3 Semester hour(s)

• AGR142 - Introduction to Horticulture ( 3 Semester Hours)

  This course is an introduction to the principles and practices in the development, production, and use of horticultural crops (fruits, vegetables, greenhouse, turf, nursery, floral and landscape). Includes the classification, structure, growth and development, and environmental influences on horticultural plants; horticultural technology; and an introduction to the horticultural industries. Prerequisite: None 3 Semester hour(s) Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI): AG905 Lecture/Lab Hours 2 lec, 2 lab/week

• COM131 - Intro to Oral Communication ( 3 Semester Hours)

  The oral communication course combines communication theory with the practice of oral communication skills. The course: (1) develops awareness of the communication process; (2) provides inventional, organizational, and expressive strategies; (3) promotes understanding of and adaptation to a variety of communication contexts; and (4) emphasizes critical skills in listening, reading, thinking, and speaking. Prerequisite: None 3 Semester hour(s) Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI): C2 900 Lecture/Lab Hours: 3 lec/week

• HIS221 - American History to 1865 ( 3 Semester Hours)

  Students will examine the first interactions of Native American cultures, European conquerors, and enslaved Africans. They will compare the Spanish, French, and English experiences in North America, and explore the events in the English colonies that led to revolution and independence. They will examine the constitution issues, political clashes, and social changes of the Federalist, Jefferson and Jacksonian periods. Students will explore westward expansion, immigration in the north, and southern slave economy. They will consider the events of the decade of crisis that led to civil war and look closely at the war and its major consequences. Prerequisite: None 3 Semester hour(s) Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI): IAI: S2 900 Lecture/Lab Hours: 3 lec/week

  OR

  HIS222 - American History Since 1865 ( 3 Semester Hours)

  Students will examine American history from the Reconstruction Era to the present. They will gain an understanding of historical periods and events such as the Industrial Revolution, the Gilded Age, the Great Depression, the two World Wars, the Cold War, the Age of Affluence, and the Struggle For Racial and Gender Equality. Prerequisite: None 3 Semester hour(s) Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI): IAI: S2 901 Lecture/Lab Hours: 3 lec/week
   

Footnotes

• * Choose from EDU 210, 220, 224, 275
• ** Choose from AGR 116, 201