Business Education Degree

ASTE Undergraduate Programs

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Program Objectives

Disciplinary Knowledge

  1. Students will demonstrate a personal interest in pursuing a career in business/technology education.
    Courses that meet the program objectives: BSED 2150, BSED 3150, BSED 3300, BSED 4300, BSED 4510, BSED 5500, BSED 5630

  2. Students will demonstrate competence in business, finance, and marketing subjects, including accounting, business communication, digital media, financial literacy, marketing, and business applications.
    Courses that meet the program objectives: All content area courses required for the Business Education program.


Skills and Career Competencies

  1. Students will demonstrate the ability to plan curriculum with organized units, lessons and daily activities.
  2. Students will demonstrate the ability to assess, monitor, and evaluate student achievement using summative and formative evaluation techniques
  3. Students will explore and utilize techniques for classroom management and engagement, including positive cueing, feedback, proximity, scaffolding, and project-based learning
  4. Students will become familiar with CTE skills testing, industry certifications, and You Science as tools that assess student performance and assist with college and career transitions
  5. Students will understand the benefits of FBLA, recognize the responsibilities of an FBLA adviser, become familiar with different FBLA competitive events, and explore ideas for FBLA activities, recruitment, and fundraising.

Courses that meet the program objectives: BSED 2150, BSED 3150, BSED 3300, BSED 4300, BSED 4510, BSED 5500, BSED 5630.

Each of the program objectives must be achieved and properly assessed with the following required and elective courses. The course information related to the transparency of the student work and how the student work is evaluated is given in the links that correspond to the objectives. The course objectives are written to meet the course description (link to the USU catalog) and achieve the program objectives. Students are evaluated in each course by completing assignments, projects, quizzes, exams, and other forms of formative and summative assessments. To better help students understand the course and program expectations, the corresponding assignments, and the assessment tools (e.g., rubrics) are given for each program objective and its aligning course objective.

Program Objective Disciplinary Knowledge 1

Students will recall and apply basic understanding of the agricultural communication profession (i.e., factual knowledge, methods, principles, generalizations, theories, etc.).

Courses that meet the Program Objective

ASTE 1710: Introduction to Agricultural Communication | Instructor, Kelsey Hall

Course Objectives from the Syllabus that meet the Program Objective

  • Students will apply principles of public relations writing to plan and write a variety of materials
  • Students will research and gather information for a blog post and social media posts using appropriate methods
  • Students will compose a good photograph and caption
  • Students will explore possible careers in the agricultural communication field.

Course Assignments that meet the Course Objectives

  • Assignment photo and caption
  • Assignment blog post
  • Assignment news release
  • Assignment radio advertisement
  • Assignment social media campaign
  • Assignment career infographic
  • Assignment expert interview and presentation

ASTE/JCOM 3090: Graphic Communication in Agriculture | Instructor, Kenna Kesler

Course Objectives from the Syllabus that meet the Program Objective

  • Students will apply proper file management practices
  • Students will develop and demonstrate understanding of image types
  • Students will develop and demonstrate an understanding of photograph editing and manipulation using Adobe Photoshop
  • Students will develop and demonstrate an understanding of document production, including design and layout and typography using Adobe InDesign
  • Students will demonstrate desktop publishing and pre-press preparations using Adobe InDesign
  • Students will create a photo composite using techniques from the textbook
  • Students will apply publication design skills, including design, layout, content, and typography, to print materials

Course Assignments that meet the Course Objectives

  • Assignment: Art Gallery
  • Assignment: Logo Design Final
  • Assignment: Poster Project Final
  • Assignment: Photo Restoration
  • Assignment: Brochure Final

ASTE/ 4900: Senior Project/Website Design | Instructor, Kelsey Hall

Course Objectives from the Syllabus that meet the Program Objective

  • Students will use the fundamentals of HTML and CSS to develop basic webpages
  • Students will demonstrate effective website planning and design using appropriate software Students will plan and write content for a website
  • Students will develop a responsive website

Course Assignments that meet the Course Objectives

  • Assignment: Website Copy
  • Assignment: Website Design Comp
  • Assignment: Website

Program Objective Disciplinary Knowledge 2

Students will analyze and critically evaluate ideas, arguments, and points of view.

Courses that meet the Program Objectives

ASTE/JCOM 3050: Technical and Professional Communication Principles | Instructor, Kenna Kesler

Course Objectives from the Syllabus that meet the Program Objective

  • Students will demonstrate strong written, verbal, and visual communication skills
  • Students will recall the components of technical writing and how they apply to preparing effective business and professional documents
  • Students will communicate complex information in a simplified manner appropriate for targeted audiences
  • Students will prepare and deliver technical presentations by applying principles of effective oral communication and slide design
  • Students will display information in a visual manner that is effective and appropriate for the audience
  • Students will research and organize information using proper documentation design and grammar mechanics

Course Assignments that meet the Course Objectives

  • Assignment: Writing for Different Audiences
  • Assignment: How-to Video
  • Assignment: Cover letter and resume
  • Assignment: Mock interview
  • Assignment: Choosing appropriate graphics

Program Objective Skills Competency 1

Students will explore career and graduate school opportunities in agricultural communication.

Courses that meet the Program Objectives

ASTE 1710: Introduction to Agricultural Communication | Instructor, Kelsey Hall

Course Objectives from the Syllabus that meet the Program Objective

  • Students will apply principles of public relations writing to plan and write a variety of materials
  • Students will research and gather information for a blog post and social media posts using appropriate methods Students will compose a good photograph and caption
  • Students will explore possible careers in the agricultural communication field.

Course Assignments that meet the Course Objectives

  • Assignment photo and caption
  • Assignment blog post
  • Assignment news release
  • Assignment radio advertisement
  • Assignment social media campaign
  • Assignment career infographic
  • Assignment expert interview and presentation

ASTE 2830: Agricultural Sales and Marketing | Instructor, Kelsey Hall

Course Objectives from the Syllabus that meet the Program Objective

  • Students will write an effective sales call opening
  • Students will develop a progression of questions to help them communicate with and understand a prospective client
  • Students will communicate a product’s or service’s value using FAB statements
  • Students will recall techniques for handling objections and closing sales

Course Assignments that meet the Course Objectives

  • Assignment Ready, Set, Sell (RSS)
  • RSS#1-3
  • Assignment Final RSS Sales Call Plan
  • Salesperson Interview

ASTE/JCOM 3050: Technical and Professional Communication Principles | Instructor, Kenna Kesler

Course Objectives from the Syllabus that meet the Program Objective

  • Students will demonstrate strong written, verbal, and visual communication skills
  • Students will recall the components of technical writing and how they apply to preparing effective business and professional documents
  • Students will communicate complex information in a simplified manner appropriate for targeted audiences
  • Students will prepare and deliver technical presentations by applying principles of effective oral communication and slide design
  • Students will display information in a visual manner that is effective and appropriate for the audience Students will research and organize information using proper documentation design and grammar mechanics

Course Assignments that meet the Course Objectives

  • Assignment: Writing for Different Audiences
  • Assignment: How-to Video
  • Assignment: Cover letter and resume
  • Assignment: Mock interview
  • Assignment: Choosing appropriate graphics

Program Objective Skills Competency 2

Students will create written, verbal, and visual communication about food, agricultural, or environmental topics.

Courses that meet the Program Objectives

ASTE/JCOM 3050: Technical and Professional Communication Principles | Instructor, Kenna Kesler

Course Objectives from the Syllabus that meet the Program Objective

  • Students will demonstrate strong written, verbal, and visual communication skills
  • Students will recall the components of technical writing and how they apply to preparing effective business and professional documents
  • Students will communicate complex information in a simplified manner appropriate for targeted audiences
  • Students will prepare and deliver technical presentations by applying principles of effective oral communication and slide design
  • Students will display information in a visual manner that is effective and appropriate for the audience Students will research and organize information using proper documentation design and grammar mechanics

Course Assignments that meet the Course Objectives

  • Assignment: Writing for Different Audiences
  • Assignment: How-to Video
  • Assignment: Cover letter and resume
  • Assignment: Mock interview
  • Assignment: Choosing appropriate graphics

ASTE/JCOM 3090: Graphic Communication in Agriculture | Instructor, Kenna Kesler

Course Objectives from the Syllabus that meet the Program Objective

  • Students will apply proper file management practices
  • Students will develop and demonstrate understanding of image types
  • Students will develop and demonstrate an understanding of photograph editing and manipulation using Adobe Photoshop Students will develop and demonstrate an understanding of document production, including design and layout and typography using Adobe InDesign
  • Students will demonstrate desktop publishing and pre-press preparations using Adobe InDesign Students will create a photo composite using techniques from the textbook
  • Students will apply publication design skills, including design, layout, content, and typography, to print materials

Course Assignments that meet the Course Objectives

  • Assignment: Art Gallery
  • Assignment: Logo Design Final
  • Assignment: Poster Project Final
  • Assignment: Photo Restoration
  • Assignment: Brochure Final

ASTE/ 4900: Senior Project/Website Design | Instructor, Kenna Kesler

Course Objectives from the Syllabus that meet the Program Objective

  • Students will use the fundamentals of HTML and CSS to develop basic webpages
  • Students will demonstrate effective website planning and design using appropriate software Students will plan and write content for a website
  • Students will develop a responsive website

Course Assignments that meet the Course Objectives

  • Assignment: Website Copy
  • Assignment: Website Design Comp
  • Assignment: Website

ASTE 4250: Occupational Experiences in Agriculture (Internship in Agricultural Communication) | Instructor, Kelsey Hall

Course Objectives from the Syllabus that meet the Program Objective

  • Students will develop technical competencies in agricultural communication (i.e., written, verbal, visual skills) Students will apply employability skills that are applicable in agricultural communication professions

Course Assignments that meet the Course Objectives

  • Assignment: Reflection paper
  • Assignment: Internship Portfolio
  • Assignment: Internship Supervisor, Evaluation of Intern
  • Assignment: Student Evaluation of Work Performance
  • Assignment: Confidential Student Evaluation of the Work Experience

Program Objective Skills Competency 3

Students will demonstrate the meaning of professionalism through these employability skills

Courses that meet the Program Objectives

ASTE 4250: Occupational Experiences in Agriculture (Internship in Agricultural Communication) | Instructor, Kelsey Hall

Course Objectives from the Syllabus that meet the Program Objective

  • Students will develop technical competencies in agricultural communication (i.e., written, verbal, visual skills)
  • Students will apply employability skills that are applicable in agricultural communication professions

Course Assignments that meet the Course Objectives

  • Assignment: Reflection paper
  • Assignment: Internship Portfolio
  • Assignment: Internship Supervisor, Evaluation of Intern
  • Assignment: Student Evaluation of Work Performance
  • Assignment: Confidential Student Evaluation of the Work Experience

On This Page

Program Assessment
Outcomes Data

Data-based Decisions to Direct Measures:

Based on Outcome Data of student grades on course assignments, most students show mastery of skills and knowledge. There are areas for improvement in specific courses, and the faculty will continue to meet to review learning objectives, artifacts, and data. Curriculum and assessment decisions will be discussed and implemented to improve student achievement for the program’s objectives.

BUSN 1091: Business Presentations

The course outcomes focus on teaching students’ skills and content knowledge relating to presenting, specifically Microsoft PowerPoint.

 

 

We felt it would be beneficial for students to be able to take the industry standard MOS exam so this was incorporated into the class as an option.  We also feel like we need to work harder to get students to drop this class if they aren’t going to finish it.  We have many students who only complete a week or two of the course and fail it.  We are hoping to utilize the 2 week drop to help eliminate some of this.

 

BCIS 1405: Word Processing

The course outcomes focus on teaching students’ skills and content knowledge relating to word processing, specifically Microsoft Word.

 

After the Fall 2021 semester it was decided to have another faculty member teach this along with the Business Presentations, and Spreadsheets class because they had access to testing software.  We felt it would be beneficial for students to be able to take the industry standard MOS exam so this was incorporated into the class as an option. 

BSED 2150: Orientation to Business Education

The course outcomes focus on students understanding the requirements for teachers in the Business Education program and exploring the basics of business, finance, and marketing education. Assignments that demonstrated this understanding included:

In Fall 2022, only four out of six students completed the Four-Year Plan by meeting with a business education advisor. The two who did not follow through were uncertain about pursuing teaching. One of these students failed the class, while the other earned a C. The students who met with an advisor performed well on all assignments and finished with As. The following semester, we emphasized that students should enroll only if committed to a degree in business education. Both students in the class performed well on all assignments and completed the course with As.

BCIS 2500: Web Business

The course outcomes focus on students understanding the requirements creating an e-commerce website where a product can be sold. Assignments that demonstrated this understanding included:

 

 

After teaching this for the first time in 2023, it was determined to add more content and reference material to the Canvas modules.  So far in 2024 it seems that there have been less questions on certain material in the course due to the added reference material.

 

BUSN 2620: Digital Marketing

The course outcomes focus on students understanding of digital marketing fundamentals, social media marketing strategies and SEO. Assignments that demonstrated this understanding included:

 

 

After teaching this for the first time in 2024, it was determined that we need to add video explanations of the different steps in the simulation.

 

BSED 3150: Methods of Teaching Business and Marketing I

The course outcomes focus on teaching preservice teachers the basic principles of planning, managing, teaching, and evaluating students in business courses such as: accounting, business communications, business office specialist, digital literacy, business entrepreneurship, business law, finance, and marketing. Assignments that demonstrated this understanding included

In Spring 2022, we felt that students needed more practice actually teaching before their student teaching experience.  We implemented them creating and teaching 2 lesson plans.  In 2023, we also updated the lesson planning component to incorporate generative AI for creating lesson plans, assessments, rubrics, and projects. Overall course mastery has been strong throughout the past several years in this course.

BSED 3300: Business Education Clinical I

The course outcomes focus on teaching preservice teachers the basic principles of planning, managing, teaching, and evaluating students in business courses such as: accounting, business communications, business office specialist, digital literacy, business entrepreneurship, business law, finance, and marketing. Assignments that demonstrated this understanding included

In Spring 2022, we felt that students needed more practice actually teaching before their student teaching experience.  We implemented them creating and teaching 2 lesson plans.  In 2023 faculty felt that students weren’t reaching out with questions or concerns during their clinical hours.  We implemented required monthly check in’s for this course to help keep current on how clinical observations were going.  In 2024 it was determined by the university as a whole that students needed more time in the classroom.  The original 30 hours observation was bumped up to 45 hours. 

 

BSED 4150: Methods of Teaching Business and Marketing

The course outcomes focus on teaching preservice teachers the basic principles of planning, managing, teaching, and evaluating students in business courses such as: accounting, business communications, business office specialist, digital literacy, business entrepreneurship, business law, finance, and marketing. Assignments that demonstrated this understanding included

In Fall 2022, one student struggled with setting up content in Canvas and received a C. To address this, we revised the curriculum the following semester, splitting the Canvas instruction into two class periods with separate assignments for better clarity and support. As a result, all students in Fall 2023 earned As on the Canvas assignments. In 2023, we also updated the lesson planning component to incorporate generative AI for creating lesson plans, assessments, rubrics, and projects. Overall course mastery was strong in 2022, with six students earning As and one earning a B. In Fall 2023, both students enrolled in the class received As.

BSED 4300: Business Education Clinical II

The course outcomes focus on teaching preservice teachers the basic principles of planning, managing, teaching, and evaluating students in business courses such as: accounting, business communications, business office specialist, digital literacy, business entrepreneurship, business law, finance, and marketing. Assignments that demonstrated this understanding included

In Spring 2022, we felt that students needed more practice actually teaching before their student teaching experience.  We implemented them creating and teaching 2 lesson plans.  In 2023 faculty felt that students weren’t reaching out with questions or concerns during their clinical hours.  We implemented required monthly check in’s for this course to help keep current on how clinical observations were going.  In 2024 it was determined by the university as a whole that students needed more time in the classroom.  The original 30 hours observation was bumped up to 45 hours. 

BSED 5500: Business Education Seminar

The course outcomes focus on teaching preservice teachers the basic principles of planning, managing, teaching, and evaluating students in business courses such as: accounting, business communications, business office specialist, digital literacy, business entrepreneurship, business law, finance, and marketing. Assignments that demonstrated this understanding included

In Spring 2021, we started requiring the PPAT assessment for all our students.    After the 2022 year when our students didn’t pass the PPAT because they didn’t take it seriously, we required them to pass it in 2023 or have to go through revisions to pass the BSED 5500 course.  This greatly improved the scores and pass rate in 2023.  We also revamped the Canvas material for this course in 2022 and made it much easier for students to understand what exactly was required of them to the pass the PPAT.  In 2023 we implemented a cut off score of 36 on the PPAT exam. 

BSED 5630: Business Education Student Teaching

The course outcomes focus on teaching preservice teachers the basic principles of planning, managing, teaching, and evaluating students in business courses such as: accounting, business communications, business office specialist, digital literacy, business entrepreneurship, business law, finance, and marketing. Assignments that demonstrated this understanding included

In 2021 and 2022 we had university assigned USU mentors for our students.  Talking with our students this was creating a disconnect as they did not know or trust these mentors.  Starting in 2023 we, the Business Ed faculty, started to mentor and observe our students during their student teaching.  This greatly improved the morale of our students and let to more open communication with them on how student teaching was going.  Scores for both the mentor and USU evaluation have been strong for this course over the past 5 years.  We had one student who did not receive good scores on either and this led us to incorporate a kind of SOS system in the class for extreme problems that can arise during student teaching.  We also have been collecting data from our students on who has good mentor teachers.  We reach out to those teachers thanking them and encouraging them to be our mentors in the future.

Strengths

Weaknesses and Recommendations