The Emphasis Area is a 12 hour block of courses within the Agricultural Leadership & Development (ALED) degree plan. These 12 credit hours typically consist of 4 courses that provide learning in areas consistent with the student’s ultimate career or life interest. Six hours must be upper-level courses (300-400 level).

Because the ALED degree program is a student-centered degree, the student is encouraged to take responsibility of determining his or her career and life interests. The Emphasis Area courses, then, are chosen by the student, in consultation with a faculty member of the ALED Advising Team, to create a valid concentration of study. Upon approval, the Emphasis Area courses are entered into the Student Information Management System (SIMS) by the Agricultural Leadership, Education and Commincations Department.