Students earning a doctoral degree in Agricultural Sciences Education & Communication will develop a comprehensive foundational grounding in the historical, philosophical, and theoretical tenets of the field. ASEC doctoral students typically have professional career experiences in education, communication, industry, or non-profit organizations. Through structured course work, independent study, thoughtful mentoring and original research, they develop expertise in designing and evaluating educational and communication strategies for youth and adults. Students are encouraged to develop in-depth expertise in a specialty of choice such as technology applications in youth education, risk communication, life science education, or engagement of underserved populations. Doctoral students showcase their scholarship and contribute to the literature through a dissertation that focuses on education or communication in the context of agriculture, youth, families or communities. Doctoral programs require 90 graduate credits beyond the baccalaureate degree. Completion of the doctoral degree typically requires 3 years beyond the masters degree.