Admission Requirements

Applicants choose the field-based option or the course-based option and must meet the following requirements to be considered for admission to the MPS IARD degree program:

Possess an undergraduate degree granted by an institution of recognized standing or the equivalent to a Cornell University degree
Relevant academic preparation for graduate study in this field
Fluent command of the English language
Evidence of academic promise for advanced study, including the submission of official copies of all academic transcripts
Clear professional objectives within IARD expressed in a statement of purpose
At least two years of relevant professional experience in a developing country
At least two letters of recommendation, including one from an academic reference.
Deadline for applications are; June 30 for Fall admission and November 30 for Spring admission.

For applicants with outdated academic records or whose academic preparation differed substantially from the applicant's career path, evidence of superior performance in the professional field for at least three years will be considered. This evidence includes information about intellectual and personal development, undergraduate record, relevant test scores, relevant course work completed after the bachelor's degree, or similar documentation.

All applicants whose native language is not English must provide proof of competency in English. Acceptable proof includes:

A degree from a college or university in a country where the native language is English
Two or more years of successful study in an undergraduate or graduate program in a country where the native language is English
A TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) with a minimum computer-based score of 213 (or a paper-based score of 550). See Graduate school for more details.

For further information, application forms and deadlines, contact the Graduate School in Caldwell Hall, Cornell University.

Financial Requirements

A nonrefundable fee is required at the time of application. Current tuition and estimated living expenses for graduate study in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences may be found at the Graduate School link.

Applicants need to obtain their own funding, at least for the first year. After the first year of study there are some limited possibilities for financial support, such as teaching assistantships that may become available in appropriate departments or fields, and through the International Agriculture Program. These are competitive. There are also several Cornell sources of financial support for research and special project expenses that are awarded competitively. For instance, the Graduate School offers summer grants to students needing research travel support.

Duration. Most MPS programs require (12 to 18 months) to complete. Students generally enroll for three or four semesters and complete the program subsequently. Students often enroll in absentia for one or two semesters to devote time to the field component of their program and writing the special project paper. IARD degree requirements