Macra Agricultural Skillnet has once again partnered with University College Dublin's (UCD's) School of Agriculture and Food Science to deliver a part-time, two-year Master’s in Agricultural Extension and Innovation, which is by distancing learning.

The programme is primarily aimed at those working in any capacity with farmers and farm businesses – from sales, advisory, consultancy, teaching roles and more.

The programme, which will begin in September 2023, is designed to run alongside attendee's employment and requires limited days off.

The subsidised cost of the programme, which is paid in instalments over two years, is approximately €6500. 

The programme modules include the following:

Agricultural Extension and Innovation;
The Reflective Agricultural Consultant;
Agricultural Education;
Project Management in Agricultural Extension;
Client/Customer Relationships in Agricultural Work;
Group Approaches in Agriculture;
Understanding the Family Farm Business;
Research Methods I and II;
Design Thinking for Agricultural Innovation;
Thesis.

To be eligible for the programme participants must have a Level 8 honour's degree in any discipline and must be working with farmers, farm families or students in some capacity.

Students complete an independent research project that relates to their current role or area of interest. Assignments will consist of online group work and individual-based work.

The closing date for applications to the programme is July 20, 2023. Shortlisting may apply and candidates who have been shortlisted will be invited to interview in the first week of August.

For any questions, contact UCD at: [email protected] or Macra Agricultural Skillnet at: [email protected].