Agriculture

The Department of Resource Economics and Environmental Sociology offers a course-based M.Ag program, with two possible areas of specialization:

• Agricultural Economics
• Rural & Environmental Sociology

The M.Ag is a master’s degree that provides graduate training in agricultural resource economics or rural sociology for professionals. The program’s focus is on interpretation, adaptation, and application of research findings, rather than carrying out research. In addition, the program content can be individually tailored to meet the special needs of each student within the overall program framework, based on previous experience, interests, and professional needs. The M.Ag degree can be completed in one to two years.

Master of Agriculture programs consist of

• ten three-credit graduate level courses;
• a project that is equivalent to a one-term course;
• Ethics, Professionalism, and Academic Integrity Program.

Students are expected to participate in the department seminar series through attendance and presentation of their research project results

Admission Requirements

1. A four year baccalaureate degree, in a relevant field with a grade point average of at least 3.0 (6.5 on previous GPA system), in the last 60 units of course weight of undergraduate study;
2. Appropriate academic background in the undergraduate program.

Students entering the MAg program, specializing in Agricultural Economics, should typically have completed the following types of courses in the undergraduate program:

Undergraduate coursework in Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, Quantitative Methods (Calculus, Linear Algebra, Statistics) and Applied Economics (Development Economics, Environmental Economics, Trade, Money and Banking, Finance)

Based on our experience, without this type of background, students are unlikely to be successful in applying for admission to this program.

Applicants for this program are normally expected to have completed three years of satisfactory professional experience in agriculture.

International Applicants

English Proficiency is demonstrated by:

• possession of a degree or its academic equivalent from an institution recognized by the University of Alberta and where the language of instruction is English. Proof that the instruction for the degree was in English will be required; or
• demonstration of sufficient English language coursework at the secondary school level from select countries (ie. Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden & Switzerland). See English Language Proficiency: Secondary School Coursework; or
• a satisfactory score on one of the approved English language examinations.

Language certificate requirements:

1. TOEFL: minimum score of 550 (paper-based), or a total score of 88 with a score of at least 20 on each of the individual skill areas (internet-based);
2. MELAB: minimum score of 85;
3. IELTS: minimum overall band score of 6.5, with at least 5 on each band (Academic);
4. CAEL: overall minimum score of 60, with at least 60 on each subtest;
5. PTE Academic: overall minimum score of 59.

Department Funding

Funding opportunities are available on a competitive basis from the Department of Resource Economics and Environmental Sociology (REES). All successful applicants for admission to graduate programs in REES will be assessed for possible funding. 

B.J. McBain Scholarship

One scholarship awarded annually to a graduate student of outstanding academic merit interested in pursuing research in the economics of food and agriculture, for the purpose of encouraging and supporting applied research and development that will be of direct benefit to primary producers of basic food products in Western Canada. Applicants must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents. 

ALES Bar None International Experience Award

Awarded annually to a student or students with satisfactory academic standing registered full-time in an undergraduate or graduate degree program within the Faculty of Agricultural, Life and Environmental Sciences and participating as an outgoing or incoming student in a Faculty-approved formal exchange program, international study abroad program, international internship, or practicum opportunity in a developing country.

Brett Cortus Memorial Graduate Scholarship

Awarded annually to a student registered full-time in a graduate degree program in the Department of Rural Economy working in the area of Agricultural and Research Economics. The scholarship will be awarded on the basis of outstanding academic merit to a student interested in pursuing research in environmental stewardship in agriculture, for the purpose of encouraging and supporting applied research and development that will be of direct benefit to Canada. The applicant must be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or be studying on a valid student visa in the Department of Rural Economy. 

Doug Penney Award

Awarded to a student entering the first year of a masters or doctoral degree in the Faculty of Agricultural, Life and Environmental Sciences. Applicants must have a demonstrated interest in soil science or agronomy as it relates to agriculture. Selection based on academic standing and the quality of the application.

University Funding

A number of fellowships and scholarships are awarded by the University through a general awards competition.

• University of Alberta Centenary Graduate Award
• Myer Horowitz Graduate Students' Association Graduate Scholarship
• Ivy A Thomson and William A Thomson Graduate Scholarship
• Friends of the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research Scholarship

Visiting and Visiting Exchange Applications

Visiting graduate students are those registered in a graduate degree program at another university or institution, who have permission from their home university and the UAlberta department to take one or more graduate courses for transfer of credit toward that degree program.

This includes students who are part of a formal exchange agreement (including the Western Deans’ Agreement) as well as students not on a formal exchange.

An admission is valid for one calendar year from the student’s start date. Visiting graduate students must apply to the department and be admitted each year in which they take courses. Visiting and Exchange students are not required to pay the $100 application fee.

Visiting and Visiting Exchange Applications

Visiting graduate students are those registered in a graduate degree program at another university or institution, who have permission from their home university and the UAlberta department to take one or more graduate courses for transfer of credit toward that degree program.

This includes students who are part of a formal exchange agreement (including the Western Deans’ Agreement) as well as students not on a formal exchange.

An admission is valid for one calendar year from the student’s start date. Visiting graduate students must apply to the department and be admitted each year in which they take courses. Visiting and Exchange students are not required to pay the $100 application fee.