Study with experts, build your knowledge, and stand out in your field
Extension specialists are a vital link between the communities they serve and the resources offered by land-grant universities.
Focus on "extending" university knowledge and resources to communities throughout the state. Learn about your local community needs and help develop education programs to address them.
"The field of extension focuses on "extending" university knowledge and resources to local communities, businesses, and people."
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Application Dates
Fall semester
August 1*
Spring semester
December 15*
Summer semester
March 15*
*Note: Application dates may vary depending on student status. Learn more.
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Degree
As an online student at CSU, you get:
The same faculty
The same high academic standards
The same affordable in-state tuition anywhere in the world
The same connection to fellow classmates and instructors
With CSU Online, you are enrolled at Colorado State University, a top-tier, regionally accredited institution recognized by U.S. News and World Report.
A vibrant community that cares
CSU Online collaborates closely with the departments across the University as well as government, business, and nonprofit organizations to foster a vibrant community that cares about learners, their experience, and their success.
Extension specialists are a vital link between the communities they serve and the resources offered by land-grant universities.
Serve as a vital link to your community.
Focus on "extending" university knowledge and resources to communities throughout the state. Learn about your local community needs and help develop education programs to address them.
Gain skills and knowledge to develop impactful programs and deliver educational resources in your role as a community educator. Work with a range of populations, including youth, adults, diverse communities, and various industries.
Coordinate and mobilize efforts to address challenging situations by conducting fieldwork, providing workshops and training, and creating online informational resources.
Learn to:
Analyze the principles that guide extension work.
Develop programs and community outreach initiatives.
Customize instructional methods for various audiences.
Develop evaluation strategies for programming.
Gather, analyze, and communicate community-based research to various populations.
Increase your understanding of your local community needs and help develop education programs to address them. Common initiatives focus on:
Nutrition
Food systems education
Family consumer sciences
Agriculture
Horticulture
Youth development
Volunteer development
Economics
Natural resource management
Start with a graduate certificate
Not sure if you’re ready to commit to a full master’s program? Start with a graduate certificate. The online Graduate Certificate in Teaching in Extension is a companion to the Master of Extension Education degree. All 13 credits can transfer into the program (with a grade of B or better) and can be applied toward the degree after formal admission per University transfer policies. Note that successful completion of the courses or certificate does not guarantee admission to the degree program.
Top 1%
of universities worldwide, according to The Center for World University Rankings.
85%
of CSU grads secure a job related to their career plans within six months of graduation.
A+
More than nine out of ten Rams would select CSU again.
17:1
Average student-to-faculty ratio.
Explore Careers
Follow a variety of career paths, including extension work, professional sales, technical service, and a variety of informal education settings.
With an interdisciplinary curriculum tailored to suit your specific career goals, this program helps you gain skills to improve the quality of lives and livelihoods of individuals and communities — whether you work within the field of extension education or in other professions requiring community education and public contact.
Extension practitioners throughout the world often work for government agencies. In the United States, many extension specialists (sometimes called extension agents, county agents, or extension educators) work at land-grant universities in cooperative extension service programs.
If you work in a nonprofit, government, or extension organization, this degree can advance your education career in a variety of fields, including:
Agricultural extension
Community development
Environmental education
Human development
Natural resources
Extension education
Range science
Governmental agencies
4-H/Youth development
Community-based education
Food systems and agricultural outreach
Forestry
Nutrition program management
Community preparedness/safety
Family consumer science
Hear from Our Students
Designed for working professionals, the online Master of Extension Education program does not require a thesis, and all coursework is offered online. Interact and network with others across the country who are in extension or similar agencies to collaborate and gain insights from peers.
Tyler Mason
Starting out in the extension education program, Tyler's primary mission was to improve his resume and pursue a better career. What he discovered was so much more. Find out how earning his master's degree helped Tyler begin the next big step in his journey.
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Curriculum
Requirements
The Master of Extension Education is a 36-credit program that requires:
9 credits of disciplinary coursework at the 500 level or above. Disciplines must be approved by an academic advisor, and may include areas such as youth development, horticulture, agriculture, animal science, and others.
An extension education internship in a county or state extension office or other advisor-approved setting. An internship requires 45 hours of work per credit.
There is no thesis required for completion of this degree. You will work with your graduate advisor to choose your coursework. Additionally:
24 credits must be earned at Colorado State University, 21 of which must be earned after formal admission.
18 credits of graduate-level electives are chosen with your graduate advisor.
No independent study, research, supervised college teaching, or practicum credits may apply toward the degree.
Courses that are prerequisites or supplementary to the graduate program do not apply to the minimum credit hours required for this degree. In addition, approved courses from other institutions may be accepted; talk with your advisor before including these in your course plan. Additional coursework may be required depending on your background and preparation for graduate level work.
Yes, the Master of Extension Education (M.Ext.Ed.) program is available completely online through CSU Online. The program is designed to enhance educational and outreach practices for community educators and extension agents. CSU's online students receive the same education, learn from the same faculty, and earn the same regionally accredited degree as students on campus.
The courses are delivered asynchronously through the Canvas learning management system, allowing you to study at the time that best fits your schedule. This flexibility allows working professionals to complete coursework around their existing commitments. However, some courses may occasionally have optional synchronous components or virtual meetings, but the core curriculum is designed for asynchronous learning.
Extension Education graduates pursue diverse careers in education, outreach, and community development:
Extension Roles:
County Extension Agent/Educator
State Extension Service positions
Extension specialists at universities
Regional extension coordinators
Education and Outreach:
Community education coordinators
Non-profit organization educators
Youth development professionals (4-H and similar programs)
Environmental and agricultural education specialists
Community Leadership and Education Leadership:
Program directors for agricultural and community organizations
Corporate training and development roles
Educational program managers
Policy and advocacy positions
Our graduates work in settings ranging from county extension offices to universities, non-profits, agricultural businesses, and community organizations, focusing on connecting research with community needs to improve people's lives.
While we don't guarantee job placement, our faculty are dedicated to our students' success both in the program and in their careers. We generously support students in helping them reach their career goals and provide numerous networking opportunities:
Faculty Support and Mentoring:
Mentoring Program: Structured connections with experienced extension professionals
Internship Experience: Direct professional connections through required internship in county or state extension offices or approved settings
Faculty Engagement: Regular interactions with faculty who maintain active networks in extension and community education
Yes, the program is designed with working professionals in mind. Although online learning offers flexibility, this program still requires the same amount of work as an on-campus program. Depending on your learning style, expect to spend nine to twelve hours per week on a three-credit course.
Asynchronous course delivery allows you to study when it's convenient for you. The program focuses on enhancing educational and outreach practices for community educators and extension agents, making it directly applicable to current work.
The Extension Education internship is designed as a professional development apprenticeship where you work on a specialized project of your choosing that advances your skills and career goals. This internship helps you build a portfolio of accomplishments that distinguish you in the field while gaining hands-on experience in areas that interest you most.
Project Examples:
Curriculum development for specific audiences
Creating program manuals or redesigning existing programs
Developing new community programs
Presenting at regional, state, or national conferences
Collaborative projects with neighboring counties or specialists
Structure:
Working Extension Professionals: Focus on leadership roles, conference presentations, or new program development
Pre-Service Professionals: County office experience combined with specialized project work
Custom Options: Propose your own internship project with coordinator approval
