Master of Rural Development, abbreviated M.R.D. or MRD, is a multi-discipline graduate degree. The master's program integrates the disciplines of geography, sociology, political science, economics,

business administration Business administration, also known as business management, is the administration of a commercial enterprise. It includes all aspects of overseeing and supervising the business operations of an organization. From the point of view of management ...

, and psychology to create an interdisciplinary approach to studying and solving rural issues. Programs usually consist of both course work and thesis research. The M.R.D. program is awarded at universities across Europe and North America, in countries such as, Belgium, Canada, Ireland, Sweden, the United Kingdom, Spain and the United States.

Belgium

The M.R.D. program is awarded by Universiteit Gent. The program at Universiteit Gent is co-offered with partners at National Higher Agricultural Education Institute (Rennes, France),

Universidad Nacional de Córdoba Universidad (Spanish for "university") may refer to: Places * Universidad, San Juan, Puerto Rico * Universidad (Madrid) Football clubs * Universidad SC, a Guatemalan football club that represents the Universidad de San Carlos de Guatema ...

( Spain), and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin ( Germany).

Canada

The M.R.D. program is awarded by

Brandon University Brandon University is a university located in the city of Brandon, Manitoba, Canada, with an enrollment of 3375 (2020) full-time and part-time undergraduate and graduate students. The current location was founded on July 13, 1899, as Brandon Co ...

, through the Faculty of Arts. Brandon University is one of only two graduate programs focused on rural development in Canada, with the second program (Masters of Rural Planning and Development) offered at the University of Guelph in both a Canadian and International Stream.

Ireland

The M.R.D. program is awarded by

National University of Ireland, Galway The University of Galway ( ga, Ollscoil na Gaillimhe) is a public research university located in the city of Galway, Ireland. A tertiary education and research institution, the university was awarded the full five QS stars for excellence in 201 ...

, through the J.E. Cairnes School of Business & Economics, and by University College Dublin through the School of Biology & Environmental Science.

Sweden

The M.R.D program is awarded by the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, through the Department of Urban and Rural Development. The program is focused on rural development and natural resource issues, mainly in the global South. It provides both theoretical and practical skills for analysis and action, in order to create a platform both for future careers in sectors focused on development and natural resource management, and for research.

United Kingdom

The M.R.D. program is awarded by the University of East Anglia, through the School of Development Studies. University of East Anglia, http://www1.uea.ac.uk/cm/home/schools/ssf/dev The MSc in Managing Rural Development M.R.D. is awarded by the University of London through School of Oriental and African Studies

SOAS SOAS University of London (; the School of Oriental and African Studies) is a public research university in London, England, and a member institution of the federal University of London. Founded in 1916, SOAS is located in the Bloomsbury are ...

as an online course delivered by the Centre for Development, Environment and Policy (

CeDEP CEDEP, also known as The European Centre for Executive Development (in French, Le Centre Européen d'Education Permanente), is an international, not-for-profit organization co-located on the INSEAD campus in Fontainebleau, France, about 50 km ...

)- see the course web pages a

an

The MSc in Managing Sustainable Rural Development is awarded by the University of the Highlands and Islands, UHI in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland as an online course - see the course web pages a

Spain

The MSc in PROJECT PLANNING FOR RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT is an official Master's Program of the Technical University of Madrid (UPM) and is fully integrated in the European Space for Higher Education as stated in the Bolognia Declaration. See the course web page at: www.desarrollorural.u

United States

The M.R.D. program is awarded by the

University of Alaska, Fairbanks The University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF or Alaska) is a public land-grant research university in College, Alaska, a suburb of Fairbanks. It is the flagship campus of the University of Alaska system. UAF was established in 1917 and opened for cla ...

through its Department of Alaska Native and Rural Development (DANRD)

Another M.R.D. degree granting institution is the

American University The American University (AU or American) is a private federally chartered research university in Washington, D.C. Its main campus spans 90 acres (36 ha) on Ward Circle, mostly in the Spring Valley neighborhood of Northwest D.C. AU was charte ...

in Washington, D.C. The program focuses on the international aspects of development

Notes

{{reflist, 2 India This programme is offered as MARD (Master of Arts in Rural development) from IGNOU, New Delhi, MRMD (Master in Rural Management and Development) from Tripura University, Tripura, Agartala, India Nepal Tribhuvan University offers Masters program(Master of Arts) in Rural Development. Its constituent college, Tri-Chandra Multiple College also offer this course. Master's degrees