The IAD Masters degree combines a set of common core courses in international agricultural development theory, analysis, and project management with a student-identified specialization aligned with each student's interests and career preparation needs.  See detailed degree requirements giad-2025-degreq-v1_0.pdf.

Core Courses

200N. Philosophy and Practice of Agricultural Development (5)
Lecture/discussion—5 hours; term paper. Introduction to key elements of the philosophy and practice of agricultural development in less developed countries. Introduction to the major paradigms of development, the historical context within which these paradigms have operated, and the various development techniques and initiatives that have emerged from agricultural production to institutional capacity building and management.

202N. Analysis and Determinants of Farming Systems (4)
Prerequisite: Plant Sciences 110/ PLS 111 and Plant Sciences 120. The unifying concepts of cropping systems in temperate and tropical climatic zones; agroecosystems stability, diversity and sustainability; management strategies, resource use efficiency and their interactions; the role of animals, their impact on energy use efficiency, nutrient cycling, and providing food and power.

203N. Project Planning and Evaluation (4)
Prerequisite: courses 200N, 201, 202N. Interdisciplinary setting for application of student skills and specialization to a “real world” development project. Focus on team-building and effective interdisciplinary problem-solving methods, with the objective of producing a project document and presentation within a specified deadline.

290. Seminar in International Agricultural Development (1-2)
Seminar—1-2 hours. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. Discussion and critical evaluation of advanced topics and issues in international agricultural development. May be repeated for credit. (S/U grading only.)