International Agriculture
The Master of International Agriculture Program is a multidisciplinary degree program, preparing students for successful careers in global agriculture. Blending theory, practical knowledge, and hands-on experience, the program prepares students to make significant contributions to the field of international agriculture. There are two degree options within the Master of International Agriculture Program: Master of Agriculture and Master of Science.
The Master of Science in International Agriculture program accommodates those students who prefer to take theoretical courses preparing them for research. This program will provide students with the theoretical, science and research backgrounds necessary to design, implement, and manage agricultural programs in developed and developing countries. It allows participants to blend theory and practice to improve the lives of people.
A Master of Agriculture in International Agriculture prepares candidates for positions in the public and private sectors related to international agricultural development and marketing. Graduates work in international agribusinesses, non-profit organizations, development agencies, government and diplomatic service, education, agricultural extension, agricultural trade associations and commodity groups, and other positions in global agriculture.
Admission Requirements
A baccalaureate degree in Agriculture or a related field is required for admission. The candidate must meet requirements for acceptance into the Graduate College and be recommended by the departmental graduate committee responsible for the program.
Degree Requirements
The requirements for this degree are the same as those listed in the Catalog, Graduate College section, under "The Master's Degree."
In addition, each candidate approved for study under this program will be assigned an advisor, who will assist the student will developing an advisory committee with whom he or she will develop a plan of study in accordance with guidelines and requirements established in the department responsible for the program.
Karl Rich, PhD—Professor and Director
Master of Agriculture in International Agriculture (MAIA)
The Master of Agriculture in International Agriculture (MAIA) is a multidisciplinary degree program that provides students with the diverse background necessary to design, implement and manage agricultural programs in developed and developing areas. The program prepares candidates for positions in the public and private sectors related to international agricultural development and marketing. Graduates work in international agribusinesses, non-profit organizations, development agencies, government and diplomatic service, education, agricultural extension, agricultural trade associations and commodity groups and other positions in global agriculture. Others pursue a personal desire to make a difference in the world by doing agricultural development work in a developing country or working in areas recovering from a natural disaster. The MAIA is for students who prefer to blend theory and practice to improve the lives of people, develop professional skills and network through an international agricultural experience, develop a focus area to support professional goals, develop broader understanding of world cultures and issues, and engage in international travel.
Two alternatives exist for satisfying requirements for the MAIA degree:
1. 36 credit hours and a creative component, or
2. 36 credit hours, including six hours for a professional internship.
A minimum of 21 credit hours must be earned at the 5000-level or above. The creative component or professional internship are expected to be in the area of international agriculture. Each student must take a minimum of 14 semester credit hours of approved core courses and a minimum of 22 semester credit hours of focus area courses. Each student is required to complete an international experience of four weeks or longer.
Master of Science in International Agriculture (MSIA)
The Master of Science in International Agriculture is designed to prepare candidates for positions in the public and private sectors related to agricultural sciences and natural resources or for continuation into a doctoral program. The MSIA accommodates those students who prefer to take theoretical courses preparing them for research. This program will provide students with the theoretical, science and research background necessary to design, implement and manage agricultural programs in developed and developing countries. It allows participants to blend theory and practice to improve the lives of people. Advanced study leading to the Master of Science degree in the field of International Agriculture prepares students for such professional careers as business analyst; international trade and development specialist; college-level educator; agricultural extension specialist; and a professional working with non-profit organizations, government sectors, and agricultural commodity groups. The program is multidisciplinary allowing students the freedom to focus on the area of study they choose.
Three alternatives exist for satisfying requirements for the MSIA degree:
1. 30 credit hours, consisting of 24 hours of coursework and six hours for a thesis
2. 32 credit hours, consisting of 30 hours of coursework and two hours of formal report
3. 32 credit hours, consisting of 30 hours of coursework and two hours for a creative component
Degree candidates are expected to conduct research related to a topic on international agriculture. The requirements include one course in statistics or quantitative/qualitative analysis and one course in research methodology. Each student is required to complete an international experience of four weeks or longer.
AGIN 5000 Master's Thesis/Report in International Agriculture
Description: For students working on a masters degree in International Agriculture. Independent research and thesis under the direction and supervision of a major professor. Offered for variable credit, 1-6 credit hours, maximum of 6 credit hours.
Credit hours: 1-6
Contact hours: Contact: 1-6 Other: 1-6
Levels: Graduate
Schedule types: Independent Study
Department/School: Dean of Agriculture
AGIN 5102 International Agriculture Creative Component
Prerequisites: Graduate standing or consent of instructor.
Description: Development of independent project to improve or inform an international agriculture practice based on scholarship.
Credit hours: 2
Contact hours: Contact: 2 Other: 2
Levels: Graduate
Schedule types: Independent Study
Department/School: Dean of Agriculture
AGIN 5113 Global Agricultural Development Communications
Prerequisites: Graduate Standing.
Description: Role of Information Communication Technologies in global agricultural development and the storytelling process as a communication tool for global agricultural development.
Credit hours: 3
Contact hours: Lecture: 3 Contact: 3
Levels: Graduate
Schedule types: Lecture
Department/School: Dean of Agriculture
AGIN 5213 Global Agricultural Entrepreneurship
Prerequisites: Graduate Standing.
Description: Use of entrepreneurship principles to develop solutions to emerging and/or existing problems and challenges in global agriculture.
Credit hours: 3
Contact hours: Lecture: 3 Contact: 3
Levels: Graduate
Schedule types: Lecture
Department/School: Dean of Agriculture
AGIN 5312 Applied Issues in International Agriculture and Natural Resources
Prerequisites: Graduate standing or consent of instructor.
Description: Applied global issues in international agriculture and natural resource development, including sustainability, food security, trade, project evaluation, and international agricultural institutions. Written and oral reports and discussion of selected topics. Previously offered as AG 5010.
Credit hours: 2
Contact hours: Lecture: 2 Contact: 2
Levels: Graduate
Schedule types: Lecture
Department/School: Dean of Agriculture
AGIN 5313 Global Food Security and Sustainability
Prerequisites: Graduate Standing.
Description: Broad overview of the complexity of global food systems including key challenges to security and sustainability of agricultural production now and in the future.
Credit hours: 3
Contact hours: Lecture: 3 Contact: 3
Levels: Graduate
Schedule types: Lecture
Department/School: Dean of Agriculture
AGIN 5333 Guided Reading in International Agriculture and Natural Resources
Prerequisites: Graduate standing or consent of Instructor.
Description: Understanding of international agricultural development objectives, challenges, and solutions to the most critical problems facing the developing world's food and agricultural systems, through readings of a set of classic and contemporary books and constructing book reports.
Credit hours: 3
Contact hours: Lecture: 3 Contact: 3
Levels: Graduate
Schedule types: Lecture
Department/School: Dean of Agriculture
AGIN 5353 Advanced Case Studies in Agricultural Marketing and International Development
Prerequisites: Consent of Instructor.
Description: Advanced real world issues in marketing and international development of agricultural and food products. Development of an understanding of issues facing policy makers, producers, consumers, and other groups in examining the costs and benefits of various international marketing, trade and development programs.
Credit hours: 3
Contact hours: Lecture: 3 Contact: 3
Levels: Graduate
Schedule types: Lecture
Department/School: Dean of Agriculture
AGIN 5413 Overview of Global Development
Prerequisites: Graduate Standing.
Description: Examines effective principles and practices of International development and provides a thorough understanding of current issues in development by guiding students to an understanding of how development issues are being approached, what methodologies are effective, and how to use the tools of development. Same course as GS 5413.
Credit hours: 3
Contact hours: Lecture: 3 Contact: 3
Levels: Graduate
Schedule types: Lecture
Department/School: Dean of Agriculture
AGIN 5713 Participatory Tools and Processes for Community Engagement
Prerequisites: Graduate standing in AGIN or consent of instructor.
Description: Cultivates skills in the practical application of participatory tools and processes to interact more effectively with local communities. Provides facility in standard facilitation techniques alongside systems thinking tools to develop skills in managing group dynamics, encouraging team building, and helping groups come to consensus and sustainable decisions.
Credit hours: 3
Contact hours: Lecture: 2 Lab: 2 Contact: 4
Levels: Graduate
Schedule types: Lab, Lecture, Combined lecture and lab
Department/School: Dean of Agriculture
AGIN 5723 Participatory Systems Modeling
Prerequisites: AGIN 5713 or consent of instructor.
Description: Develops facility in the application and use of system dynamics models based on the interaction and engagement with stakeholder groups. Teaches system dynamics techniques and relevant software and applies these to various international agriculture problems. Exposes students to the theory and practice of using group model building techniques with stakeholders to enhance decision making.
Credit hours: 3
Contact hours: Lecture: 3 Contact: 3
Levels: Graduate
Schedule types: Lecture
Department/School: Dean of Agriculture
AGIN 5800 International Agriculture Internship Experience
Prerequisites: Graduate standing or consent of instructor.
Description: Students conducting an international internship experience, under the direction and supervision of a faculty member. Previously offered as AG 5100. Offered for variable credit, 1-6 credit hours, maximum of 12 credit hours.
Credit hours: 1-6
Contact hours: Lecture: 1-6 Contact: 1-6
Levels: Graduate
Schedule types: Lecture
Department/School: Dean of Agriculture
AGIN 5801 International Agricultural Experience Proposal
Prerequisites: Consent of instructor.
Description: Students planning and preparing an international internship experience, under the direction and supervision of a faculty member.
Credit hours: 1
Contact hours: Contact: 1 Other: 1
Levels: Graduate
Schedule types: Independent Study
Department/School: Dean of Agriculture
AGIN 5990 Advanced Studies in International Agriculture and Natural Resources
Prerequisites: Consent of Instructor.
Description: Individual or small group study and/or research in international agriculture and natural resources. Offered for variable credit, 1-12 credit hours, maximum of 15 credit hours.
Credit hours: 1-12
Contact hours: Contact: 1-12 Other: 1-12
Levels: Graduate
Schedule types: Independent Study
Department/School: Dean of Agriculture