Choosing online at UT was an easy choice
Online graduate programs have changed the game for students who want to keep working while getting a degree. That’s especially true for those living in a different state but wanting to enroll in a top-notch program without moving or quitting their job. One forward-thinking student found a smart way to keep his career on track without pausing his job or life.
Through the online master’s program at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, this out-of-state student found a way to keep earning while learning. Hailing from South Carolina, Hunter Dove was a high school agriculture teacher focusing on gardening and management. UT’s online program was the perfect fit for him.
I knew I wanted to continue my education; however, I did not want to pause my career goals.
— Hunter Dove, Agricultural Leadership, MS ’22, Education and Communication (ALEC)
Online classes offer flexibility for professionals
When Dove decided to further his studies, he set his sights on an Agriculture Education master’s degree. Initially, he considered in-person options but soon realized that online learning offered him the flexibility to work while pursuing his degree simultaneously. He fulfilled his dream by enrolling in the online master’s program in Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communication (ALEC) at the Herbert College of Agriculture offered at UT Knoxville.
Dove’s deep-rooted love for the Vols played a significant role in his choice, and his warm reception from the students and faculty sealed the deal. The professors in the ALEC department and the admissions staff left a positive impression on him. They were accommodating and convinced Dove that the Vols Online platform was the right choice for him. The program allowed Dove to juggle his full-time job, home life, and education on a schedule that suited his needs.
Dove graduated in December of 2022 and worked as an agriculture and natural resource extension agent with the University of Georgia at Athens. While there, he planned and taught county programs and events and answered questions about issues relating to agriculture and natural resources. Dove now works for a company selling agricultural equipment. His time at UT made him a better educator and a more effective leader, and it prepared him for a successful future.
I know this master’s degree will enable me to be a better teacher, leader and communicator within the agriculture industry.
– Hunter Dove
Learn More
Would you like more information on the master’s program in Agricultural Leadership, Education & Communication? Take the first step by completing and submitting a Request for Information form on the program page.
