Program Will Be Offered by the Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communications in the Herbert College of Agriculture
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Students interested in addressing complex issues related to food, agriculture, natural resources and human sciences will soon have a new choice for their advanced education. The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, will begin offering a new Ph.D. program through the Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communications (ALEC), in the Herbert College of Agriculture.
The program was approved by the University of Tennessee Board of Trustees in October, and it will become the first of its kind in Tennessee. Student applications will be accepted beginning in Spring 2025.
“We are committed to meeting the needs of our state and country. Strong academic programs that advance agricultural leadership and research in the state of Tennessee is another way we contribute to our land-grant mission,” said UT Knoxville Chancellor Donde Plowman. “We know this new opportunity to receive a Ph.D. in ALEC will attract the best and brightest students looking to make a difference in our society.”
Keith Carver, senior vice chancellor and senior vice president of the UT Institute of Agriculture, added, “Agriculture is so important to the health of Tennesseans, the nation, and world, we are excited to be able to provide this new program to students.”
The new program will offer online and on-campus completion options. The ALEC Department currently offers both bachelor’s and master’s programs, and the Ph.D. program will make it the only department in the Herbert College of Agriculture to offer all three degree options online.
“Students have told us that the online option, in addition to an on-campus program, is a highly desirable way to attain a degree,” said ALEC Department Head Christopher Stripling. “The online availability of the required credit hours is in response to the needs of today’s learners and will provide an opportunity for adults to reengage in higher education and complete an advanced degree.”
“We are excited to soon offer the only Ph.D. program in Tennessee with an emphasis on agricultural leadership, education, and communications that will provide research-based expertise to students in agricultural and natural resources, Extension, teaching and learning, leadership, youth development, and communications,” Interim Dean David White said. “In addition to attracting new students, the new degree will provide our existing students with an opportunity to earn a doctoral degree while addressing the workforce needs for the State of Tennessee.”
Interested students will soon be able to apply through the UT Graduate School. For more information on the program visit the ALEC website.
The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture is comprised of the Herbert College of Agriculture, UT College of Veterinary Medicine, UT AgResearch and UT Extension. Through its land-grant mission of teaching, research and outreach, the Institute touches lives and provides Real. Life. Solutions. to Tennesseans and beyond. utia.tennessee.edu.