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, facilitation and leadership, media and communication technologies, adult learning and innovation processes. A variety of learning formats are offered by the program including community engaged learning, independent study, distance education, seminars, international courses and research colloquia.

Graduate students focus on Capacity Development and Extension. The Program offers core courses and 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, education, international development, sociology, communication, cultural studies, health, political science, history, and economics. A four-year honours degree is considered as the normal and basic admission requirement. Work or volunteer experience in a rural area or community level is considered especially useful in applying theory to practice and in identifying research needs and topics.

Students in Capacity Development and Extension have employment opportunities in areas such as rural and volunteer organizations, community development, non-formal education, family and consumer studies, social work, communication technology, agricultural extension and applied research, health, international development project management and program analysis, and technology transfer.

Degree Requirements

Students enrol in one of two study options: 1) course work and major research paper, or 2) thesis. A set of core courses will provide a foundation for capacity development and extension research and practice.

A minimum of two full-time semesters of course work, or equivalent, must be completed.

Course Work and Major Research Paper (MRP)

Students must complete three (3) core courses, a minimum of four (4) restricted electives, one (1) open elective and the major paper.

The core course 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

AND

CDE*6900

[1.00]

Major Research Paper

Thesis

Students must complete three (3) core courses, a minimum of two (2) restricted electives, one (1) open elevtive and a thesis.

The core courses 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