Students enrolled in a shared program with an international focus are required to complete four-course requirements. Additional course work, major research paper or thesis, and internship requirements will be determined by the co-operating department and the student's advisory committee. Either MA or MSc degrees are possible through shared program arrangements, depending upon the degree offerings of the co-operating unit. Some of the academic units involved in shared programs have established program content and requirements that must be met in addition to the school's requirements. Students wishing to pursue this option will typically have a degree in economics or agricultural economics and an interest in broadening their education to include an understanding of social, economic and biophysical phenomena.
Students maintain their focus on agricultural economics as a discipline.
Students in the shared program address the general issues of planning and rural development in a North American or international context while maintaining their links with one of the major areas of focus in agricultural economics and business. Students are enrolled in the Department of Agricultural Economics and Business and are also admitted to the School of Rural Planning and Development. The MSc degree granted is in agricultural economics and business and indicates a focus on rural planning and development issues. The shared MSc program will be completed with a thesis and a minimum of seven courses or a major paper and a minimum of nine courses. The student may choose from a list of electives to complete the course requirements.