IX. Graduate Programs
Capacity Development and Extension
MSc Program
Capacity Development and Extension offers a professionally oriented program leading to the MSc degree in capacity development and extension. The program covers a broad range of topics including capacity development, interpersonal communication, communication technologies and international extension programs. A variety of learning formats are offered by the program including independent study, distance education, seminars, international courses and research colloquia.
Graduate students focus on Capacity Development and Extension. The Program offers three core courses and nine restricted electives. Other courses of interest are available in other academic units including Rural Planning and Development, and the Departments of Food, Agricultural and Resource Economics, Geography, History and Sociology and Anthropology.
Admission Requirements
The program is open to qualified graduates from a wide variety of disciplines including agriculture, home economics, sociology, communication, education, health and medicine, history, and economics. A four-year honours degree is considered as the normal and basic admission requirement. Work experience in a rural area or non-urban community is considered especially useful in applying theory to practice and in identifying research needs and topics.
Students in the Capacity Development and Extension have employment backgrounds in areas such as agricultural extension, rural and volunteer organizations, community development, non-formal education, family and consumer studies, social work, communication technology, health, international project management, and technology transfer.
Degree Requirements
A minimum of two full-time semesters of course work, or equivalent, must be completed. Thesis and Major Paper options are available.
All students enrolled in this field are required to complete a Thesis or a Major Research Paper, and a set of core courses that provide a foundation for capacity development and extension research and practice.
For the Major Paper option, these consist of:
| CDE*6900 | [1.00] | Major Research Paper |
| CDE*6070 | [0.50] | Foundations of Capacity Building and Extension |
| CDE*6260 | [0.50] | Research Design |
| EDRD*6000 | [0.50] | Qualitative Analysis in Rural Development |
| OR | ||
| RPD*6380 | [0.50] | Application of Quantitative Techniques in Rural Planning and Development |
In addition, for the Major Paper option, students are required to complete a minimum of four (4) restricted elective courses.
For the Thesis option, these consist of:
| CDE*6070 | [0.50] | Foundations of Capacity Building and Extension |
| CDE*6260 | [0.50] | Research Design |
| EDRD*6000 | [0.50] | Qualitative Analysis in Rural Development |
| OR | ||
| RPD*6380 | [0.50] | Application of Quantitative Techniques in Rural Planning and Development |
In addition, for the Thesis option, students are required to complete a minimum of two (2) restricted elective courses.
Students select an advisor and a research committee who will assist them in course selection, research and thesis development.