Master of Sustainable Agriculture
Improve the environment and help feed the world.
The U of G’s Master’s in Sustainable Agriculture program is designed for forward-thinkers ready to cultivate change in the global food and agriculture landscape. Offered by the Ontario Agricultural College (OAC), this inter-disciplinary course-based master’s program equips you with the latest advancements in sustainable plant or livestock agricultural practices, while empowering you with skills in data analysis, agricultural economics, communication, and leadership. Customize your career path through specialized fields, flexible course options, professional development opportunities and internships to connect you with hiring organizations.
- 16 months
- program length (or 4 semesters)
- 35k OAC alumni
- making an impact around the world
- Ranked #1 in Canada
- for agricultural science
Reach your career goals in sustainable agriculture
Develop advanced technical and career-focused skills through professional development courses.
Connect with the Canadian agricultural sector
Network with potential employers through industry-focused internships and field trips to agricultural operations.
Hands-on learning in sustainable agriculture
Learn to navigate the complexities of agricultural sustainability through Canada’s leaders in agriculture and food.
Enhance your expertise and skills in one of three academic fields:
Plant Agriculture
Explore topics in plant physiology, biogeochemistry, breeding and genetics and crop production systems.
Livestock Agriculture
Explore topics in animal behaviour and welfare, breeding and genetics, physiology, nutrition and digital animal analytics.
Environmental Sciences
Explore topics in soil sciences, agro-meteorology, controlled environments, integrated pest management, pollinator biology and conservation.
Career-focused learning
Join a vibrant community of like-minded individuals driven by a shared vision of building a more sustainable future for the global food and agriculture sector. Expand your network, collaborate on cutting-edge projects, and gain knowledge from industry partners that open doors to exciting career opportunities.
Learn at the centre of Ontario's agriculture industry.
Apply yourself in hands-on field courses, build your network and experience living in a unique, rural community.
The first semester of your program is delivered at U of G’s Ridgetown Campus, located near London, Ontario. You’ll live in residence with your fellow classmates from around the world, complete field-based courses and experience living in the heart of Ontario’s agricultural sector. You’ll transition to the Guelph campus after your first semester to complete the remainder of the program.
Students in the MSAg program are offered guaranteed housing while at the Ridgetown Campus.
Students must have achieved a grade average of at least 70% (B-) in the last four semesters of study from an Honours Bachelor’s degree in agriculture, plant sciences, environmental science, animal biology, agricultural engineering, or related field from a recognized university.
Applicants whose first language is not English are required to submit evidence of English proficiency using one of the University's approved tests. Admissible scores for entry to the program are as follows
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): overall score of 93 with no individual component below 23
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS): overall average of at least 6.5, with no individual component below 6.5
- Canadian Academic English Language (CAEL): overall score of 70 with a minimum of 60 in each of the categories
- PTE-A: overall score of 63 with a minimum of 57 (listening), 61 (reading), 54 (speaking) and 74 (writing)
- Duolingo: overall score of 125
- Advanced Level for the UoG English Language Certificate
- Advanced Level for the UoG Graduate Preparation Program
Deadlines:
The first intake of students to the new Master’s in Sustainable Agriculture is Summer 2025.
- International applications are due by August 31st (for Summer entry)*
- Domestic applications are due by January 15th (for Summer entry)
*We encourage international applicants to apply well in advance of the posted deadline to allow sufficient time to arrange for any necessary documentation i.e., transcripts.
Program Format:
- Program length: 16 months or 4 semesters, delivered in-person
- Your first semester begins at U of G's Ridgetown Campus in May
- Your second and third semester is delivered at U of G's main campus in Guelph
- In your fourth semester you complete an internship in an agri-food organization
- Specialize your degree in one of three fields: Plant Agriculture, Livestock Agriculture and Environmental Sciences
- A mixture of skill-based learning and applied, project-based courses
- Customize your learning based on your professional development needs and career aspirations
Graduates of the Master's of Sustainable Agriculture are well-equipped to pursue careers in agri-food throughout Canada and the world.
Career opportunities for graduates of this program vary across a range of fields including; agronomy, horticulture, food systems and production, agriculture, sustainability consulting, environmental resource management, farmland preservation, advocacy and policy development and more.
Students in the Master of Sustainable Agriculture program are eligible for internal and external scholarship and bursaries. The Office of Graduate Studies provides information on tuition and living costs. Students are not guaranteed funding for their studies.
Master of Sustainable Agriculture Courses
Students are required to complete 5.50 credits, as follows:
AGR*6010 | Seminar in Sustainable Agriculture | 0.50 |
AGR*6020 | Practices and Processes in Sustainable Agriculture | 0.50 |
IAEF*6000 | Professional Development in Agriculture, Environment, Food and Communities | 0.50 |
IAEF*6030 | Internship in Agriculture, Environment, Food and Communities | 1.00 |
UNIV*6020 | Experimental Design and Applied Data Analysis for the Agricultural Sciences | 0.50 |
STAT*6950 | Statistical Methods for the Life Sciences | 0.50 |
ENVS*6440 | Field Sampling Strategies and Geostatistics | 0.50 |
BINF*6210 | Software Tools for Biological Data Analysis and Organization | 0.50 |
CIS*6180 | Analysis of Big Data | 0.50 |
FARE*6110 | International Food Industry and Policy Analysis | 0.50 |
FARE*6120 | Assessment of Food and Agricultural Technologies | 0.50 |
FARE*6130 | Operations Management in the Agri-Food Sector | 0.50 |
FARE*6180 | Agri-Food Supply and Value Chain Management | 0.50 |
FARE*6600 | Food Security & the Economics of Agri-Food Systems in Developing Countries | 0.50 |
CDE*6290 | Special Topics in Capacity Building and Extension | 0.50 |
CDE*6320 | Capacity Building for Sustainable Development | 0.50 |
CDE*6690 | Community Environmental Leadership | 0.50 |
CDE*6311 | Community Engagement and Public Participation |
|
UNIV*6050 | Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Agri-Food Systems | 1.00 |
UNIV*6710 | Commercialization of Innovation | 0.50 |
MGMT*6170 | Equity, Diversity & Inclusion in the Workplace: Advancing Theory, Research & Practice | 0.50 |
Students will also complete 1.50 credits of restricted electives taken from:
Notes:
- Students may choose alternative courses for their restricted electives above upon approval by the Graduate Program Coordinator.
- Students choosing the Plant Agriculture field may select courses from PLNT and ENVS;
- Students interested in Livestock Agriculture will select courses from ANSC;
- Students interested in focusing on environmental aspects of agriculture will select from ENVS courses.
- Students may also choose to remain unspecialized, selecting a mixture of courses from any of the fields in consultation with the MSAg Graduate Program Coordinator.
- Students will devise a personal list of restricted electives courses as part of their Individual Development Plan in the context of their career goals, interests and academic background.
Meet our community of leaders
My research is important because we look at the interface between agriculture and the environment. So we're trying to address grower issues and match that with the environment.
We try to understand the biological problem at the cellular level and translate that information to the development of practical applications that could be adopted by the food animal industry in general. It's the combination of a basic science and applied research.
International Student Information
Students from around the world choose to complete their graduate studies at the University of Guelph. More than 550 graduate students from 83 different countries call Guelph home.
International students are encouraged to apply to the University of Guelph's Master's in Sustainable Agriculture program well in advance of the applications due date of August 31st to allow for sufficient time to arrange for necessary documentation, such as your transcript and visa information.
For more resources and information on how to apply to the program, visit the Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies.
U of G’s International Student Experience Office supports the development, living and learning needs of all international students, connecting you to resources on - and off-campus to help you find your place on campus, manage the transition to Canada in a healthy way, and make being away from home easier.
Additional Program Options
You may also be interested in the Masters of Plant Agriculture (course-based) program.