Agroecology
College: College of Agricultural and Life Sciences
Designation: Department
Major: Agroecology
Degrees Offered: M.S.
Faculty: Professors Bell (chair), Albrecht, Allen, Balke, Barham, Bland,
Campbell, Kloppenberg, Madison, McCown, Norman, Posner, Stoltenberg, Tracy,
Ventura; Associate Professor Wattiaux; Assistant Professors Balser, Cullen,
Gratton, Jackson, Luschei, Mitchell
Agroecology is the study of agriculture as a human endeavor embedded in society
and environment. The program is based on the ideas that the most beneficial
agriculture will emerge from broadly participatory discussions about agricultural
practice, and it is dedicated to the training of students and the facilitation
of informed discussion about new directions in agriculture.
Master's Degree
The program aims to train analysts and researchers in a broadened vision of the
possibilities of agriculture. Social, environmental, ethical and economic concerns
are stimulating reconsideration of what is appropriate agricultural technology
and how best to structure socioeconomic relationships. Great opportunity lies
in our emerging appreciation of the power of conflict management, community development,
and inclusive participatory processes to lead to wise and equitable decisions
about agriculture. By coming to appreciate issues in context and through exposure
to concepts of systems, ecology, and public process, our graduates will shape
the evolution of a new agriculture.
The program’s curriculum reflects the interdisciplinary nature of agroecology
and offers to all students an opportunity to study in such areas as animal welfare,
biodiversity, community, ecosystems, food safely, genetics, hydrology, land use,
large and small farms, media, public debate, public spaces, soil biology, waste
management, water use, and wildlife habitat.
• The Professional Practice Option is a 3-semester program that trains facilitators
to enable broader discussion and negotiation at the interfaces of agriculture
and other sectors of society. The goal of this 'action-in-society' option is to
train analysts to increase understanding about the roles of agricultural systems
in multifunctional landscapes, and the public policy that shapes these roles.
• The Research Option addresses the need for continued research and scholarship
in order that discussions and negotiations are well informed. Students will have
the opportunity to obtain experience in the scholarship of original research,
culminating in the writing of a thesis.
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Admissions
Candidates applying to the M.S. degree in Agroecology should submit an on-line
Graduate School application. Official GRE scores are required and should be sent
electronically from the Educational Testing Service (ETS). Use ETS institution
code 1846. TOEFL scores are required of all applicants whose native language is
not English, or whose undergraduate instruction was not in English. TOEFL scores
are sent electronically from ETS. Use ETS institution code 1846. Letters of recommendation
are done electronically. List your three references in the online application
for admission.
To complete the application process, candidates should submit the following
to the Graduate Coordinator for Agroecology (please use the mailing address
below): 1) Indicate the program track you intend to pursue -- Research or Public
Practice -- and state why you are interested in this option. Knowing your intention
will help us better understand your academic and career goals. In addition,
this information will be used to direct your application to faculty who will
be in the best position to locate funding for you. We strongly encourage those
who wish to follow the Research Option to communicate with potential thesis
research advisors. Refer to the list of Affiliated Faculty and feel free to
contact members of this group directly; 2) submit a one page Statement of Purpose
if you did not include it in the on-line Graduate School application; 3) submit
your curriculum vita and; 4)submit two official copies of your transcripts for
all undergraduate and graduate work. Please do not send transcripts to the Graduate
School. Your transcripts should clearly indicate the title of the degree that
was completed and the date of completion.
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For more information, please contact:
Graduate Coordinator for the Agroecology program, 139 King Hall, 1525 Observatory
Drive, Madison WI 53706; 608/890-1456; www.agroecology.wisc.edu; agroecology@cals.wisc.edu