Developing Leaders and Improving Lives in the World's Developing Countries
The International Program in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) encourages and supports both graduate and undergraduate education, advising on student participation in courses, research, seminars, projects and other activities that support international involvement. The aim is to prepare Cornell graduates for more effective participation in an interdependent world. IP CALS seeks to make the most productive use of university and external resources to foster this educational outcome and to contribute to the ongoing process of internationalizing Cornell University.
Undergraduates may pursue a major in International Agriculture and Rural Development. This program is designed for students who wish to focus their agricultural degree program on the special problems and prospects of agricultural development in less-developed countries. Students may select from a long list of courses that focus on various aspects of international development.
Students in any CALS major may elect the International Studies minor.
IP CALS provides administrative support for the Master of Professional Studies graduate fields of:
The three fields offer programs leading to the Master of Professional Studies (M.P.S.) degree. These programs prepare students, through a combination of academic studies and application of analytical skills, to assume leadership positions in development programs, in government and nongovernmental organizations, or in the private sector.
Students in these programs can gain expertise in various aspects of international development, such as population, nutrition, planning and policy; or agriculture, including conservation of natural resources and sustainable farming systems. Students elect many of the same courses in agricultural and related fields as for a Master of Science degree; however, the M.P.S. program offers the opportunity to carry out an applied project rather than conduct the academic research typical of a traditional M.S. thesis. The opportunity to tailor a program to meet specific goals and interests attracts students from all parts of the globe.
Cornell’s commitment to international agricultural and rural development is reflected in the makeup and activities of its faculty. Most faculty in the College have some international interests, and many maintain substantial involvement in international program activities. This participation is equivalent to more than 45 full-time faculty engaged in international work. The graduate fields of IARD and ID have 95 faculty members collectively, some serving in both fields. Graduate students in Masters and Ph.D. programs can also select to minor in international agriculture and rural development.
©2009 Cornell Unversity.