What is Agricultural Leadership and Development?

The Agricultural Leadership and Development (ALED) degree program was designed to develop students for leadership positions in local, regional, state, and national groups and in organizations and agencies that are directly and indirectly involved in agriculture. The courses you will take will prepare you for a variety of careers including law, international business, management, civic and government positions, sales, promotions, and technical agriculture.

Basic Specifications:

• 120 hours 
• Bachelor’s of Science in Agriculture
• 19 hours of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communications courses
• 31 hours of agriculture (includes 9-12 hours of Ag electives)
• 8 hours of science
• 6 hours of math
• 6 credit hour internship, not required, but highly encouraged
• 12 hour emphasis area to be determined by student

Transfer Student Entrance Requirements:

• Minimum of a 2.5 overall GPA on transfer courses (TAMU calculation may be different than the transfer institution). Though this is the minimum needed, having a higher GPA will make you more competitive for admission.
• Students MUST have an expressed interest in agriculture and leadership development. This is determined through the essay portion of the admissions application and meeting with an advisor in the department.
• Advisors look strongly at the following criteria in considering your application:
  
  • Students with 30 or fewer hours of course work must have taken one math* course that meets TAMU core curriculum requirements and ENGL 104 (1301).
  • Students with 31-45 hours of coursework must have taken at least one science** and one math* that meets TAMU core curriculum requirements and ENGL 104 (1301).
  • Students with 46 or more hours of course work need to have taken both math* and both science** requirements from TAMU core curriculum and ENGL 104 (1301).
    
    * Math courses that meet this requirement include MATH 1324, 1325 or PHIL 2301.

  ** Recommended science courses include BIOL 1406 & 1407, Majors Biology I & II (111 & 112); BIOL 1411 & 1413 General Botany & General Zoology (Botn 101 & Zool 107); CHEM 1411 &1412, Fundamentals of Chemistry I & II (CHEM 101 & 102)

Helpful hints:

• University core courses are the best use of your time before you come to A&M. To make sure a course transfers to Texas A&M, use the Texas Common Course Numbering System.
• Students should not repeat courses in which a D was earned. Ds do transfer to A&M and the Department of Agricultural Education accepts Ds transferred on any course. Repeating a course DOES NOT replace a grade—both grades count when A&M calculates your GPA. Be aware that not all majors accept Ds for certain courses.