International Agriculture and Rural Development (MPS):
Overview

The International Agriculture and Rural Development (IARD) Master of Professional Studies (MPS) program was created in 1974 primarily for professionals interested in the multidisciplinary dimensions of rural development in developing countries, such as those employed by governments and non-governmental organizations. It is also a minor field for broadening and enriching advanced degree programs in disciplinary majors.

The curriculum is especially relevant to experienced practitioners from any country that requires broad-gauged perspectives and knowledge about agriculture and development. The MPS IARD graduate program provides various forums for critically analyzing alternative strategies and for learning about practices, technologies, approaches, and trends in agriculture and rural development efforts around the world. The program also provides opportunities to review and update skills in a discipline or other specialty.

The program is designed for people who have already embarked on an international career and whose professional plans include upgrading relevant skills and knowledge important to their future needs. With help from the Special Committee of faculty advisors, students tailor programs to suit their objectives from a wide selection of courses in the College of Agriculture and Life Science (CALS) and other colleges. MPS candidates carry out an applied special project paper under either a field-based option (typically involving an international component) or a course-based option, not an MS- or Ph.D.-style research thesis.