Select one of the options below:
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.
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:
Increase your understanding of your local community needs and help develop education programs to address them. Common initiatives focus on:
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:
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.
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.
Hear from students and faculty to get a sense of what it's like to study online with CSU, and how a graduate degree can enhance your life.
Kellie Enns, Program Director and associate professor in agricultural education has a bachelor's degree in animal science from Washington State University and received her Master of Agriculture degree and Ph.D. in Educational Leadership from Colorado State University. Kellie is passionate about teaching and learning, and program development, which can maximize student experiences. Her husband, Mark, also works at CSU, and they have two young children who are being raised as dedicated Ram Fans. The Enns raise Angus cattle and love living and working at Colorado State University. Kellie serves as the primary advisor to the undergraduate degree program and the master's in agriculture teacher development degree program.
Nathan Clark is an instructor in agricultural education at CSU. Nathan hails from Michigan and focuses his attention on production agriculture, and skills-based classes in agricultural. Nathan has his undergraduate degree in agriscience from Michigan State University, completed his agricultural education teacher licensure requirements as a post-bachelor student at the University of Arizona, and has a Master of Agriculture degree in the teacher development concentration from Colorado State University. His teaching focus is on experiential education.
Dessa Watson, instructor in extension education, has a bachelor's in agricultural extension education from Colorado State University and enjoyed the program work so much she continued on to receive a Master of Agricultural Extension Education from CSU. Dessa is a former 4-H/Youth Development Extension Agent for CSU in Rio Blanco County, which furthered her love of all things extension programming, 4-H, and all that Colorado State University has to offer. Dessa's husband, Brett, is a water commissioner for the state, and together they have two children whom they raise alongside a small herd of Corriente cows, horses, and an assortment of other farm critters.
Holli Campbell, instructor in extension education, grew up on a dairy farm in western Michigan, where she was very involved in both 4-H and Future Farmers of America. She received her bachelor's degree from Michigan State University in agricultural economics, and worked in an agricultural nonprofit following graduation. She also held positions with Marriott Hotels in sales and event management. She received her Master of Education from the University of Georgia, and was an agriculture education teacher and FFA advisor for two years before becoming the County Extension Director and 4-H Agent in Broomfield, Colorado.
The Master of Extension Education is a 36-credit program that requires:
There is no thesis required for completion of this degree. You will work with your graduate advisor to choose your coursework. Additionally:
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.
(A minimum of 9 credits at the 500 level or above in the following areas with approval of an advisor):
(A minimum 9 credits at the 500 level or above selected with advisor)
Before applying to the degree program, it is strongly recommended that you contact Dr. Kellie Enns well in advance of the application deadline to understand and fulfill all requirements.
| Fall semester | August 1 |
| Spring semester | December 15 |
| Summer semester | March 15 |
Start your application online and upload materials directly into the online system. You can save your progress and return any time.
Apply NowThe extension education (M.Ext.Ed.) degree requires applicants to have the following:
Note that meeting the minimum department standards does not ensure admission to the program. Admission to Colorado State University graduate programs is based on a number of factors, including prior academic and professional experience and the personal statement.
Prepare the materials below and upload when you apply online.
Complete the online graduate application and pay the nonrefundable application processing fee (payable online). As soon as you have completed the required information, please submit your application. Your application will not be reviewed until it is complete and all required materials have been received.
CSU's Graduate School offers several application fee waiver opportunities. Visit their website to determine if you are eligible for a waiver.
Request one official transcript of all collegiate work completed from all institutions attended. Transcripts from Colorado State University are not required. Transcripts must be received directly from the originating institution to be considered official.
Please Note: Students may be unconditionally admitted and registered in their first semester of courses with an unofficial transcript. Official transcripts must be submitted, prior to or during your first semester, before you can register for your second semester of graduate work. Failure to meet this condition will result in your dismissal from the Graduate School.
Electronic (preferred): Digital Transcripts must be submitted by the originating institution using a secure service such as parchment, eScrip-Safe, the National Student Clearinghouse, or e-Quals. Transcripts received via emails are considered unofficial. Use institution code 4075 for Colorado State University or gradadmissions@colostate.edu if the secure service requires an email address.
Mail (if necessary) Graduate Admissions Colorado State University – Office of Admissions 1062 Campus Delivery Fort Collins, CO 80523-1062
View your application status at any time to ensure your application checklist is complete or to check on updates.
Once your complete application, including supporting materials, is received, the department admission committee will review your application and promptly notify you of their decision.
Proof of English language proficiency is required for applicants from countries or United States territories where there are official languages other than (or in addition to) English. This includes the U.S. territories of American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and Puerto Rico.
We love learning about your goals and answering any questions you have.
