205
Graduate Programs
205.70
Rural Economy
205.70 Rural Economy
Department of Rural Economy
515 General Services Building
University of Alberta
Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2H1
E-mail: rural.economy@ualberta.ca
205.70.1 General Information
The Department of Rural Economy offers programs leading to the Master of Agriculture, Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in Agricultural and Resource Economics, Forest Economics, and Rural Sociology. A joint program leading to dual degrees of Master of Business Administration and Master of Agriculture is also offered. Areas of emphasis in graduate programs include: the economics of agricultural markets and price behavior; production economics and agricultural business management; economics of agricultural and rural development; economics of policy intervention; environmental and natural resource economics, forest economics, rural sociology, environmental and resource sociology, resource policy analysis, and agroforestry.
Entrance Requirements
The Department's minimum admission requirements for each master's program are an undergraduate degree with an average of 3.0 in the last two years of undergraduate work (or graduate work) at the University of Alberta, or an equivalent qualification from a recognized institution, and a TOEFL score of 550 (paper-based) or 88 (internet-based) where applicable (see §203.2.4). Admission requirements for the doctoral program are an approved master's degree with an average of at least 3.3 or equivalent or an approved bachelor's degree with an average of at least 3.7 or equivalent, and a TOEFL score of 550 (paper-based) or 88 (internet-based) where applicable (see §203.2.4).
Financial Assistance
Information about details of program requirements and the availability of financial assistance may be obtained from the Department.
205.70.2 The Degree of MAg
Applicants for this program are normally expected to have completed three years of satisfactory professional experience in agriculture.
Program Requirements
Master of Agriculture programs consist of 
30 at the graduate level plus a project course equivalent in weight to at least 3. Students are expected to participate in the department seminar series through attendance and presentation of their research project results.
No language other than English is required for the degree.
Candidates must spend a minimum of one single term (four months) in full-time attendance at the University of Alberta to meet the residence requirement.
Length of Program
A candidate with adequate undergraduate prerequisites and appropriate professional experience should complete the program in one academic year (12 months).
205.70.3 The MBA/MAg Joint Program
The Faculty of Business and the Faculty of Agricultural, Life and Environmental Sciences offer a program of joint study which permits students to earn both the MBA and the MAg degrees in two years.
Students in the first year of the regular MBA program and/or eligible students enrolled in graduate programs in the Faculty of Agricultural, Life and Environmental Sciences, as well as new entrants, are eligible to apply for the joint program. Refer to §205.9.4 under Business for details.
205.70.4 The Degree of MSc
Program Requirements
Master of Science programs consist of at least 18 in graduate courses plus a thesis normally equivalent in weight to 12 to 18. Students are expected to participate in the department seminar series through attendance and presentation of their research results.
No language other than English is required for the degree.
Candidates must spend a minimum of two single terms (eight months) in full-time attendance at the University of Alberta to meet the residence requirement.
Length of Program
The time required to complete the MSc will vary with the individual candidate; qualified candidates should be able to complete the program in 24 months.
205.70.5 The Degree of PhD
Program Requirements
Doctor of Philosophy programs include, in addition to the Master of Science course requirements, preparation for candidacy examinations in theory, quantitative techniques, the field of specialization and a supporting field. Fields of specialization are agricultural and resource economics, forest economics, and rural sociology and include a joint specialization in environmental and natural resource economics offered collaboratively by the Departments of Rural Economy and Economics. All candidates for the PhD must prepare and defend a thesis on an approved topic. Students are expected to participate in the department seminar series through attendance and presentation of their research results.
Programs depend on academic background and typically consist of 36 in graduate courses, with 18 from the Department of Rural Economy.
No language other than English is required for the degree.
Length of Program
The time required to complete the PhD will vary according to the academic background of the applicant and the nature of the research undertaken; however, a minimum of 36 months is normally required.
205.70.6 Graduate Courses
Graduate courses can be found in §231, Course Listings, under the following subject headings:
Agricultural and Resource Economics (AREC)
Forest Economics (FOREC)
Interdisciplinary (INT D)
Rural Sociology (R SOC)
