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 Geography (from Greek: , ''geographia''. Combination of Greek words ‘Geo’ (The Earth) and ‘Graphien’ (to describe), literally "earth description") is a field of science devoted to the study of the lands, features, inhabitants, an ...

sociology Sociology is a social science that focuses on society, human social behavior, patterns of social relationships, social interaction, and aspects of culture associated with everyday life. It uses various methods of empirical investigation an ...

political science Political science is the scientific study of politics. It is a social science dealing with systems of governance and power, and the analysis of political activities, political thought, political behavior, and associated constitutions and la ...

economics Economics () is the social science that studies the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. Economics focuses on the behaviour and interactions of economic agents and how economies work. Microeconomics analyzes ...

, business administration, and

psychology Psychology is the scientific study of mind and behavior. Psychology includes the study of conscious and unconscious phenomena, including feelings and thoughts. It is an academic discipline of immense scope, crossing the boundaries between ...

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 France (), officially the French Republic ( ), is a country primarily located in Western Europe. It also comprises of overseas regions and territories in the Americas and the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans. Its metropolitan area ...

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 Guatemala ...

(

Spain , image_flag = Bandera de España.svg , image_coat = Escudo de España (mazonado).svg , national_motto = ''Plus ultra'' (Latin)(English: "Further Beyond") , national_anthem = (English: "Royal March") , i ...

), and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin (

Germany Germany,, officially the Federal Republic of Germany, is a country in Central Europe. It is the second most populous country in Europe after Russia, and the most populous member state of the European Union. Germany is situated betwe ...

Canada

The M.R.D. program is awarded by Brandon University, 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 , mottoeng = "to learn the reasons of realities" , established = May 8, 1964 ()As constituents: OAC: (1874) Macdonald Institute: (1903) OVC: (1922) , type = Public university , chancellor ...

in both a Canadian and International Stream.

Ireland

The M.R.D. program is awarded by National University of Ireland, Galway, through the J.E. Cairnes School of Business & Economics, and by

University College Dublin University College Dublin (commonly referred to as UCD) ( ga, Coláiste na hOllscoile, Baile Átha Cliath) is a public research university in Dublin, Ireland, and a member institution of the National University of Ireland. With 33,284 student ...

through the School of Biology & Environmental Science.

Sweden

The M.R.D program is awarded by the

Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, or Swedish Agricultural University (Swedish: ''Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet'') (SLU) is a university in Sweden. Although its head office is located in Ultuna, Uppsala, the university has several c ...

, 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 The University of East Anglia (UEA) is a public research university in Norwich, England. Established in 1963 on a campus west of the city centre, the university has four faculties and 26 schools of study. The annual income of the institution f ...

, 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 The University of London (UoL; abbreviated as Lond or more rarely Londin in post-nominals) is a federal public research university located in London, England, United Kingdom. The university was established by royal charter in 1836 as a degree ...

through

School of Oriental and African Studies 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 a ...

SOAS as an online course delivered by the Centre for Development, Environment and Policy ( CeDEP)- 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 The Technical University of Madrid or sometimes called Polytechnic University of Madrid ( es, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, UPM) is a public university, located in Madrid, Spain. It was founded in 1971 as the result of merging different Te ...

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

Another M.R.D. degree granting institution is the American University in

Washington, D.C. ) , image_skyline = , image_caption = Clockwise from top left: the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall, United States Capitol, Logan Circle, Jefferson Memorial, White House, Adams Morgan, ...

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