Start Date:
September 2025
Administrative Unit:
Department of Agricultural
Economics and Extension
Email: daee@sta.uwi.edu
Phone: 1(868) 662 2002 ext. 82094
Programme Overview
This is a graduate research programme aimed at developing professionals capable of effectively bridging the gap between agricultural research and on-the-ground practice. Rooted in the Caribbean’s unique agricultural and rural development needs, the programme focuses on communication strategies, adult education, rural sociology, and participatory development methods. Students engage in advanced study and original research that address issues such as technology adoption, farmer education, community development, and policy implementation.
Programme Breakdown
Candidates accepted into the M. Phil. programme will be required to register for at least four taught graduate courses including Research Methodology AGBU 6301. Students who enter the programme with a taught Master’s Degree or Postgraduate Diploma may be granted exemption from the course requirements. However, such students may be required to take additional courses to provide a specific knowledge base for their proposed research.
NOTE:
Students who fail more than 50% of their courses in their first attempt will normally be required to withdraw. Only one repeat attempt for each failed course will be allowed.
Thesis
The candidate must fulfil the MPhil thesis requirements of the Faculty of Food and Agriculture and successfully defend his/her thesis at a public oral examination
Entry Requirements
This is a research degree and candidates should have strong undergraduate academic qualifications. The normal requirement is at least an Upper Second-Class Honours degree (minimum GPA of 3.0 or equivalent) in the following disciplines or other approved areas:
- Agriculture
- Agribusiness
- Aquaculture
- Forestry
- Natural Resource Management
- Human Ecology
Special consideration will also be given to candidates with lower level qualifications but whom, in the opinion of the Board for Graduate Studies and Research, have adequate research or teaching experience in relevant disciplines.
Promising research candidates with undergraduate degrees not considered suitable for direct admission may be admitted to a qualifying year. (Please refer to the general postgraduate regulations regarding Qualifying Examinations)
Departmental Course Requirements
In addition to the basic requirements for admission, candidates will be expected to have at least nine credits of approved undergraduate Extension courses at Level II/III or the equivalent. Candidates without the required number of credits will be required to take appropriate undergraduate courses, which they must pass before submitting the proposal for the thesis.