Admissions

The M.Sc. degree in Capacity Development and Extension is designed for qualified graduates from a wide variety of disciplines. This two-year program prepares students for research and practice in rural development in Northern and Southern countries with an interdisciplinary, comparative, and global perspective. It acknowledges a world that is a global, interdependent village with persisting inequalities in wealth and power, where the interaction between the human and the ecological are of increasing concern. The program strengthens students' knowledge and skills in a range of subject areas critical to rural development -- to conceptualise, build theory, design, plan, implement, management, and evaluate rural contexts, policies, programs, and projects. Students learn to act effectively at the local level with an understanding of how the local and the global interact.

As outlined in the graduate calendar, the minimum requirement of the Graduate Program
Services office for admission to graduate studies is a four year honours degree or
equivalent, with an average standing of at least second class honours (B-) in the last
four semesters or two years of work. These are minimum standards for entry into the
Capacity Development and Extension program. Note that applicants with degrees from
some countries, including Pakistan, Bangladesh, or India, are required to hold a Bachelor
degree and a Master's degree at the First Class/First Division Level to be eligible to apply for
a Masters program at the University of Guelph.

The CDE program also participates in a shared option with Collaborative International
Development Studies (CIDS). Please consult the International Development Studies listing
(Graduate Calendar) for a detailed description of the Collaborative Program including the
special additional requirements for each participating Department.

For more information regarding application to the University of Guelph, we suggest that you
also check the Graduate Programs website at:
http://www.uoguelph.ca/registrar/graduatestudies/index.cfm?apply

Good academic standing alone will not guarantee entry to the Program. One of our faculty
members must be interested in, and willing to supervise your research. It is therefore
important that you state your research interests and goals clearly and succinctly.

Work experience in a rural setting is also considered especially useful in applying theory to practice and to identify research needs and topics.

The program offers Fall admission, full- or part-time study, with a thesis or major research paper option.

Limited funding assistance is available for students admitted to the program and as such this is a self-funded program.

Application Procedure

Check with the individual program for application deadline dates. However note that international students who are applying from outside Canada should apply at least six (6) months in advance (ie. Beginning of March for September (Fall) application).

Applicants must assemble all relevant documentation (including a copy of on-line application form, certified, sealed transcripts, original, sealed letters of recommendation, and proof of English proficiency) and any additional program-specific application materials (including Statement of Research Interest and resume) and forward the complete application package to the department.

For English language requirements, minimum acceptable scores are 550 for paper-based TOEFL, 213 for computer-based TOEFL, and 6.5 for IELTS. If required, applicants need to make arrangements to take one of these tests at least six months before the opening date of the semester.

STEPS FOR PREPARING YOUR APPLICATION ARE:

Step 1--Complete the University on-line application form . There is an application fee of $100.00 (Canadian), which is payable to the Ontario University Application Center. An address is provided in the payment area of the on-line application form. Be sure to print off a PDF copy of your application form and send this along with your application package to the department.

Step 2--Prepare a one page statement of interest that will be included with your application package,outlining: (a) your career goals; (b) the particular area of research you wish to pursue at the University of Guelph (what is it you want to research?); (c) its relationship to your undergraduate field of study and/or work experience, and; (d) its relevance to the CDE program.

Step 3--Solicit two (2) letters of reference using the electronic Assessment of an Applicant for Graduate Studies form. Print this form and provide it to your referees, or (if appropriate) ask them to complete the form on-line using Adobe Acrobat and print it themselves. Ask your referees to seal the envelope and sign it on the back before returning their letters directly to you. Note that ideal referees will be people who can evaluate your potential for graduate studies; normally academics will be in the best position to offer this kind of assessment.

Step 4--Secure official transcripts from all universities at which you have studied (or are currently a student). Transcripts must be provided to us in an official, sealed envelope from the university(ies). These should be sent directly to you for inclusion in the application package. Be sure that a legend of the grading system is included.

Step 5--Mail all paper documentation (letters of reference in sealed envelopes; one page statement of interest; official transcripts in sealed envelopes; PDF print out of application form; TOEFL/IELTS
score if required) directly to:

Sue Hall, Graduate Secretary
Capacity Development and Extension
School of Environmental Design & Rural Development
University of Guelph
Guelph, ON
N1G 2W1

For more information on the University of Guelph, regarding application, available programs and the City of Guelph, please review the Graduate Studies view book at:
http://www.uoguelph.ca/registrar/graduatestudies/files/grad_studies_viewbook.pdf

Limited funding assistance is available for students admitted to the program in the form of University of Guelph Entry Scholarships of $2,000 for each of the Fall, Winter and Spring semesters of the first year. These are competitive and are awarded on the basis of marks (A- average in the last year).

Students may apply independently to departments in their undergraduate discipline for Teaching Assistantships. University of Guelph Access Awards and work study programs are available to Ontario residents who are in financial need. Financial assistance for graduate students is published on the University of Guelph website for Graduate Programs. Canadian applicants are encouraged to apply for Ontario Graduate Scholarships and other funding prior to entry. For a full range of information on funding programs, application forms and procedures, refer to the University of Guelph web site for Graduate Programs: http://www.uoguelph.ca/registrar/studentfinance/

Students who are neither Canadian citizens nor landed immigrants need to secure sufficient financialsupport for their graduate studies. It is very important that you secure financial support and provide the Graduate Program Services, Office of Registrarial Services with evidence of sufficient funding for two years of study in Canada. Rural Extension Studies and the University of Guelph have NO special forms of financial support available for visa students.

Total annual expenses for overseas students amount to a minimum of $22,000 Canadian per annum. Without this kind of financial support, there can be no doubt that your studies would sufferand you would be at considerable risk in terms of successfully completing your program.
A guide to Financial Services is available at:
http://www.uoguelph.ca/registrar/studentfinance/files/uofgfinances.pdf

Mission and Mandate

The mission of the Capacity Development and Extension program is to enhance the quality of life of rural people and communities, acknowledge and respect a diversity of needs and perspectives, through the provision of educational opportunities, interdisciplinary research, and community outreach. The mandate of the program follows:

EDUCATION
To provide a learner-centred learning community which is grounded in practice-based theories as they relate to rural extension processes and communication technology.

To promote independent and interdependent learning among program participants.

To provide opportunities for learners to explore a variety of approaches to research and methods so that they will be able to make informed choices of appropriate research methods and techniques.

To provide an environment in which issues of social justice, as they relate to rural extension studies, can be discussed in an open manner, acknowledging and respecting at all times the diversity of perspectives on these issues.

ORGANIZATION
To provide a climate conducive to building and maintaining a learning-community through the provision of shared decision-making, open communication and a commitment to discussing and resolving conflict.

RESEARCH
To engage in basic and applied research that acknowledges and respects a diversity of needs and perspectives within the rural community.

COMMUNITY OUTREACH
To work with and for local, national and international rural people and communities to enhance their well-being

Degree Requirements

The Capacity Development and Extension curriculum focusses on:
Historical, philosophical and sociological foundations of capacity building;
Extension theory and methods
Adult learning and development
Facilitation and conflict management
Capacity building and sustainable development
Decision making and conflict
Qualitative and quantitative research methods

Changes to the Capacity Development and Extension Masters curriculum were initiated and approved in 2003, and the program now consists of a set of Core Courses:
* Foundations in Capacity Development
* Research Methods
* Quantitative or Qualitative Techniques

Plus Restricted Electives:
* Adult Learning and Development
* Interpersonal/Intercultural Communication
* Special Topics in Capacity Development
* Extension Theory and Methods
* Capacity Building for Sustainable Development
* Facilitation and Conflict Management
* Readings in Capacity Building and Extension
* Development Communication
* Decision Making and Conflict

Plus Open Electives in other areas of research interest.

In addition to course work, students write a thesis or major research paper on a topic approved by his/her Advisory Committee. The THESIS option requires that students complete six courses (three core courses, plus two restricted electives, plus one open elective), in addition to the thesis. The MAJOR PAPER option requires that students complete eight courses (three core courses, plus four restricted electives, plus one open elective), in addition to the major research paper.

Interdepartment Programs:

International Development Studies (CIDS)
The program also participates in a shared option with Collaborative International Development Studies (CIDS). Students take a minimum of 2.5 course credits through CIDS. Please consult the International Development Studies listing for a detailed description of the Collaborative Program including the special additional requirements for each participating Department.

Ph.D. in Rural Studies
Capacity Development and Extension is also a major participant in the interdepartmental Ph.D. program in Rural Studies.