Graduate Programs
Agroforestry, land use practices that integrate crops and/or livestock with trees and shrubs to obtain useful products or services, is gaining recognition as an integral component of multifunctional working landscapes. While agroforestry has been gaining attention in the U.S. and worldwide, the need for trained professionals in agroforestry also has been expanding. Agroforestry, as a farming system that integrates crops and/or livestock with trees and shrubs, has a long history of interdisciplinary research at the University of Missouri. The program was developed to provide working professionals with advanced study and experience in agroforestry and related fields not readily available at other colleges and universities in the U.S. or abroad.
The interdisciplinary agroforestry emphasis area capitalizes on existing agroforestry research collaborations across The College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resource Divisions and in particular, The School of Natural Resources (SNR) departments in building an academic program that attracts and serves quality graduate students from Missouri, the nation, and the world. The agroforestry emphasis area offers both a MS thesis and non-thesis option. The campus-based thesis option is designed for individuals who wish to gain the skills required to conduct original research resulting in an MS thesis and refereed publications. The online non-thesis option is designed for professionals working in natural resources around the globe who already have an undergraduate degree in a related field. The online master’s program and graduate certificate have no on-campus/face-to-face requirements; the entire degree can be completed online. Visit the online webpage for more information.
Apply now!First of its Kind
In addition to the campus-based thesis MS degree option, the online master’s degree program is unique and fills a void across the globe. To the best of our knowledge, there are no similar comprehensive English language 100% online agroforestry programs elsewhere in the U.S. or abroad. In contrast, many institutions offer a single agroforestry course.
Since its inception in 2013, the SNR online MS and Graduate Certificate programs have awarded 36 online MS and 21 online Graduate Certificates. In addition, 19 on-campus MS Theses in agroforestry have been awarded.
Agroforestry M.S. Graduates Can Expect
To possess the technical knowledge required to advise landowners, businesses and other organizations that seek to create multi-functional working landscapes to diversify products, markets and farm income; improve soil, water and air quality; sequester carbon; enhance and conserve land and water habitats for fish and habitat; and increase biodiversity. To broaden career opportunities, successfully competing for both U.S. and international professional positions requiring an interdisciplinary master’s degree. To increase their immediate and long-term earning potential.
The Center for Agroforestry at the University of Missouri
The Center for Agroforestry at the University of Missouri, established in 1998, is one the world’s leading centers contributing to the science and practice of agroforestry. Our faculty have many years of experience in research, education, outreach and economic development in the U.S. and internationally and are recognized experts in their fields.
Core Participating Faculty
Agroforestry Graduate Emphasis Area Coordinator:
Michael Gold, Ph.D., Research Professor, Center for Agroforestry Associate Director
Agroforestry MS Program: On-campus and online options
On-Campus
Master’s Graduation Requirements
The campus-based thesis option is designed for individuals with an undergraduate degree in forestry, natural resources, environmental science or in one of the biological, physical or social sciences basic to agroforestry. It is geared to those who wish to gain the skills required to conduct original research resulting in an MS thesis and refereed publications. The MS thesis in agroforestry is designed to be a flexible degree that can meet the advanced educational goals of a wide range of students.
Admission Requirements
* Students whose GPAs and GRE scores do not meet the requirements will be evaluated individually. Applicants will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
Degree Requirements
All students in the Agroforestry Emphasis Areas will be required to take the following core courses:
Frequently Asked Questions about the on-campus MS and online MS and Graduate Certificate programs can be found here.
Thesis Committee
A thesis committee is composed of three members of the MU faculty: a major adviser from the academic program, a second reader from the academic program and an outside reader who is a member of the graduate faculty from a different SNR emphasis area or other CAFNR graduate program.
Thesis requirement
Students in the thesis option will complete 30 credit hours of coursework with no more than 12 credits for thesis research. Students choosing the thesis option will prepare a written research proposal and make an oral defense of that proposal within 12 months of their initial enrollment in the program. Students in the thesis option will write a thesis based on their research and participate in a public oral defense of their thesis announced at least two weeks prior to the defense date.
Students with thesis option must
Online Master’s & Graduate Certificate
Master’s Graduation Requirements
The MS with an emphasis in Agroforestry curriculum is a 30-credit non-thesis degree through the University of Missouri, School of Natural Resources, with a 10-credit required core including a professional paper, 15 or more credits at the 8000 level, plus elective course work and optional 3-credit field internship.
The Graduate Certificate in Agroforestry is a 12-credit curriculum consisting of three core courses and one elective. The online MS in agroforestry is designed to be a flexible degree that can meet the advanced educational goals of a wide range of students.
This online agroforestry MS is designed for professionals working in natural resources around the globe who already have an undergraduate degree in a related field. In addition, the online Masters is open to all individuals holding accredited B.S. or B.A. degrees who wish to expand their breadth and depth of knowledge in the field of agroforestry (NOTE: additional background coursework may be required).
All students in the Online MS in Agroforestry will be required to take the following core courses: