ACADEMIC Programs- Department of agriculture

Description of Department

The Department of Agriculture and Human Ecology (AgHE), is a product of reorganization and merger of former Departments of Agriculture and Department of Human Ecology. AgHE is housed in the School of Agriculture in addition to Agricultural Research Station, Cooperative Extension and Randolph Farm.

AgHE offers three B.S. degree programs in (1) Agriculture, (2) Family and Consumer Sciences and (3) Hospitality Management and a Master of Science (M.S.) Degree in Plant Science.  It also offers a non-credit post-baccalaureate accredited Dietetic Internship Program.  The Department of Agriculture and Human Ecology has three accredited programs, i.e. Hospitality Management, Didactic Program in Dietetics (Dietetic Concentration of FACS) and Dietetic Internship with a national examination associated with the latter two.

Mission

In accordance with the University’s mission, The Department of Agriculture and Human Ecology is committed to assuring that each student reaches her/his full potential and excels in society.

Objectives

• Facilitate growth and development of each student throughout his/her life span;
• Provide students with experiences to make them knowledgeable of the different and most recent developments in Agriculture and Human Ecology;
• Provide preparation for professional employment;
• Prepare teachers in the field of Agriculture and Family and Consumer Sciences;
• Prepare students to enter advanced study in Agriculture and Human Ecology in graduate schools of their choice; and
• Prepare dietetic practitioners (RD).

Graduation

The Human Ecology Program

This program offers two BS programs:

• Hospitality Management
• Family and Consumer Sciences

The FACS program has Dietetics; Family, Child and Community Services (Teacher Education Endorsement); and Textiles, Apparel and Marketing Management, as concentrations. The Dietetics concentration also includes an ADA-accredited Dietetics Internship.

The Hospitality Management program is designed to prepare students for a wide variety of career opportunities in the hospitality industry .The curriculum is designed in recognition of the demands of the industry for well-trained and qualified leaders. The focus of the program is the development of managerial skills essential to all hospitality managers, with course work in management of hotels and restaurants, travel tourism, recreation, retail, convention and meeting planning; food service systems management; marketing; accounting; hospitality law; and general management. Students participate in laboratory experiences and are required to complete two supervised internships to ensure the application of classroom theory to the workplace and to prepare them for the operational challenges of the industry.

Upon completion of the program, students should be academically well-rounded professionals, with specialized knowledge, skills and competencies needed to thrive in the continuously changing hospitality environment. Graduates of the program enjoy management positions in the industry in the areas of convention sales and marketing, finance and accounting, food and beverage management, hotel management, travel and tourism industry .The Hospitality Management Program, is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Programs in Hospitality Administration (ACPHA) since 1995. The mission of the program is to prepare students to be effective and empowered hospitality leaders who can assume productive roles in an ever-changing global society.

The Family and Consumer Sciences curriculum is designed to provide students with a broad background in the Human Ecology subject areas. These areas include foods and nutrition, textiles and clothing, human development, housing, and management of resources. The Teacher Education Endorsement concentration meets the requirements of the Virginia Department of Education. It focuses on preparing students for careers as teachers and employment in business, industry, and governmental agencies.

The curriculum focuses on growth and development of the individual throughout the life span. It is designed to provide students with competencies necessary for improving the physical, emotional, physiological, and educational well-being of individuals and families. In addition, the program focuses on the study of interpersonal relationships within the family. Social, physical, emotional, and cognitive changes during infancy, childhood, adolescence, and adulthood are emphasized. Career opportunities are offered in public and private human service agencies, and specialized facilities serving children, adolescents, adults, and families. An internship and other volunteer work experiences are required. The Center for Young Children is an important component of the Program. It offers developmental and educational services for two- to five-year-old children. Observational facilities promote a conducive research atmosphere.

The curriculum is also designed to prepare students for careers in fashion related businesses. Opportunities are available in business, industry , governmental, and educational settings. Students will have a broad, understanding of textiles, clothing, fashion, merchandising and/or retailing of textiles, consumer foods, and of business associated with families and consumer issues.

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