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 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, 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 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 program 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.

MSc by Course Work and Major Paper

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
MSc by 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

OR

RPD*6380 [0.50] Application of Quantitative Techniques in Rural Planning and Development

Students select an advisor and a research committee who will assist them in course selection, research and thesis development.

University of Guelph
50 Stone Road East
Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1
Canada
519-824-4120