An interdisciplinary online certificate and masters program in agroforestry
Abstract
Within a context of rapid technological change and shifting market conditions, the American education system is challenged with providing increased educational opportunities for students and non-traditional clients often at lower cost than in campus-based degree programs. Many educational institutions are answering this challenge by developing distance education graduate programs. These programs can provide working professionals with a chance at a graduate education, reach those disadvantaged by limited time or distance, and update the knowledge base of workers at their places of employment. Agroforestry, as a farming system that integrates crops and/or livestock with trees and shrubs, is gaining recognition as an integral component of a multifunctional working landscape. While agroforestry has been gradually gaining attention, the need for a cadre of well trained professionals in agroforestry is essential to support its continued growth. Short courses and workshops are helpful, but professionals and landowners alike across the U.S., Canada and overseas are seeking more comprehensive graduate degree or certificate programs. A web-based, asynchronous M.S. degree and/or a graduate Certificate will help to fill this void. Presently, there are no comparable comprehensive graduate programs in agroforestry elsewhere in the U.S. To meet the current and future needs of the agroforestry profession, The Center for Agroforestry at the University of Missouri is creating an online graduate certificate and masters degree program in agroforestry. The Center for Agroforestry will begin admitting students and offering online courses beginning Spring semester 2011. The certificate and masters will be fully implemented by the summer of 2013.