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Catherina Cunnane
Catherina Cunnanehttps://www.thatsfarming.com/
Catherina Cunnane hails from a sixth-generation drystock and specialised pedigree suckler enterprise in Co. Mayo. She currently holds the positions of editor and general manager at That's Farming, having joined the firm during its start-up phase in 2015.
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€6,500 part-time Masters in Ag Extension & Innovation opens

Macra Agricultural Skillnet is once again partnering with UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science in delivering a two-year part-time distance learning Masters in Agricultural Extension and Innovation through distancing learning.

The masters programme is primarily aimed at those working in any capacity with farmers and farm businesses – in sales, advisory, consultancy, teaching etc., on a full-time basis.

The MSc degree is designed to upskill participants working in the agriculture and food sector to “effectively” support farmer behaviour change and innovation at farm level.

The programme – which will begin in September 2023 – is designed to run alongside your employment and requires limited days off.

It will be delivered through a blended format – online and classroom-based – and will allow students to build their skills for working autonomously for independent research and in-depth analysis of information.

Modules include 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, research methods 1 & 2, understanding the family farm business, design thinking for agricultural innovation and a thesis – based on a topic related to a learner’s work.

Assignments will be both online group work and individual and will be based on real-life case studies relating to your professional work environment, reflecting the norms of practice in agricultural consultancy, sales, support and education services.

In total, the course comprises 90 academic credits, with 40 online reflective practice modules, 45 core modules and 5 credit elective modules.

Cost and who can apply?

The subsidised cost of the programme, which is paid in instalments over a two-year period, is approximately €6,500, according to organisers.

It is open to all that meet the eligibility criteria, as follows:

  • Level 8 honours degree in any discipline;
  • A minimum grade of 2.2 or relevant experience;
  • Must be working directly with farmers and/or farm families;
  • Identify a mentor within their organisation (where self-employed, a UCD mentor will be assigned).

The closing date for applications to the programme is July 20th, 2023.

Shortlisting may apply, and candidates who have been shortlisted will be invited to interview in the first week of August.

For any questions, please email Dr Tómas Russell, programme director, via – [email protected] or [email protected].

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