The basic module is offered by the core partner institutes in the EU and US. It is to be followed at one of the degree awarding institutes (in the US home institute for US students and at one of the degree awarding institutes in the EU for EU students). It can be followed in different languages (mainly English, Spanish, French and German). The courses represent five major disciplines and a general training into the basic competence domains and components of it are commonly agreed and recognized in order to have common basic standards. The module represents 30 to 40 ECTS or credits.
The specialized modules are offered by all partner institutes in the EU and US according to their specialty disciplines (see table below). They can be followed in different languages (English, Spanish, French, German and Dutch). The courses represent an advanced study in specific competence domains. The modules represent 10 to 30 ECTS or credits each.
The case study and/or internship is a summer semester field experience where students and scholars from different institutions and backgrounds share visions and approaches. The aim is that students undertake a practical experience, either in a commonly organized case study or during an individual internship in an international organization, company or NGO. Possible locations for the case study are: Pisa University (Italy), Nitra University (Slovakia), Florida (US), Arkansas (US). Internships are possible at either side. They represent minimum 10 ECTS or credits.
The Master thesis is written on one of the disciplines of rural development economics or policies. It represents 30 ECTS or credits. Preference is given to common EU-US projects in terms of research, data collection, supervision and examination to obtain the largest added value possible within the EU-US environment, thus stimulating comparative research of the EU and US approach in agricultural economics and rural development. It is defended in one of the degree awarding institutes, according to the specializations offered at either side. External scholars and outstanding professionals working in the field of rural development and agricultural economics can assist in supervising the students or in providing specific assistance.
How to Apply
Areas of Specialty at Partner Universities
| University of Arkansas |
Agricultural economics and agribusiness in management, finance, price analysis and risk management, agricultural policy, environmental resource economics, entrepreneurship, and public policy |
| Ghent University, Belgium |
Agricultural economics and policy; Food economics for developing countries |
| Agrocampus Rennes, France |
Specialized methodology for rural development;
Production systems and sustainable development;
Sustainability and multifunctionality of agriculture;
Organic farming; Participative management of rural areas |
| Humboldt University Berlin, Germany |
Rural governance of natural resources;
Institutional analysis of rural change; International agrarian and political issues; Ecological problems and environmental policies; Institutional change and agricultural development |
| Nitra University, Slovakia |
Public administration and regional development |
| Pisa University, Italy |
Food; Communication and sustainable rural development; Change processes in rural areas |
