Progress 06/01/15 to 05/31/16
Outputs
Target Audience:The primary audience focused on Missouri institutions of higher learning with a need to expand or create a master of science program, industry leaders with a need for graduate students in agriculture, and faculty with an interest in research and advising graduate students. A committee of members from these institutions and industry employers met to identify the strengths and capabilities for graduate education, determine curriculum and thesis options for such a degree, as well as identify courses, faculty, resources, and teaching methods needed. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Faculty had the opportunity to work closely with colleagues at other institutions as well as industry partners. Through these conversations numerous opportunities for collaborative research have emerged. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?All partners of the program have full access to all of the planning data, and the products produced by the planning grant. Additionally, the planning grant lead to the submission of a full funding proposal. Unfortunately, the proposal was ultimately unsuccessful. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Further funding needs to be secured to create distance education courses. Additionally, funding is needed to set up and maintain the necessary infrastructure to allow for the sharing of financial resources generated from the shared courses.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Goal 1: Curriculum in graduate education for master's degree in agriculture that can be completed at a distance with both a thesis and non-thesis option. Significant progress was made toward completing this goal. Through the funding period, a Master in Agriculture was proposed to the MSU Board of Governor's and once approved, was sent to the Higher Learning Commission in Missouri for approval. When the application for full funding was turned in, the results of the HLC request for the program were unknown. Since that time, we have been informed that the MAS has been approved and we can begin enrolling students in January 2016. The MAS allows students to specialize in three areas; Natural Resources, Agricultural Economics/Business, and Animal Science. Further the program allows the student to complete the degree with a thesis, non-thesis, or internship. At this time, the program is only available seated. However, by successfully completing the additional goals proposed by the planning grant, a structure exists to develop tracks for the MAS online or at a distance with additional funding. Unfortunately, the application for full funding was not awarded during the recently completed funding cycle. We hope to resubmit the application during the next funding cycle. We believe the approval of the MAS at Missouri State will increase the likelihood of funding. Goal 2: List of current courses that meet curriculum needs at each institution. This goal was accomplished. Through the planning stages, feasibility with initial partners was further evaluated. It was determined that significant differences existed in fee structures, preferred delivery methods, and technology. It was decided that the final partnering institutions would be Missouri State University, Northwest Missouri State University, and the University of Central Missouri. The institutions looked closely at their current offerings and determined which would be appropriate for inclusion either outright or with minor adjustments to a MAS. Goal 3: List of additional courses needed, and faculty and proposed delivery method. This goal was accomplished. Each institution carefully evaluated the curriculum to determine major components and contents areas that were either insufficient or missing. Once this list was compiled the strengths and available resources at each institution were examined to determine where the course could be taught. Further best practices were discussed for the proposed courses including feasibility of offering the course at a distance. Goal 4: List of research, field experiences, internships and laboratory experiences. This goal was accomplished. Each institution as well as industry partners provided examples of projects, research, field experiences, internships, and laboratory experiences that were either available or would be created for the program. Goal 5: List of qualified and interested faculty to advise graduate work, including their area of interest and expertise. This goal was accomplished. Each institution compiled a list of qualified and interested faculty to advise graduate work, including their area of interest and expertise. Three faculty from MSU, each interested in one of the specialization areas were identified. One faculty from UCM with an interest in plant science, and one faculty member from NMSU with an interest in agricultural education were also identified. Goal 6: Basic mechanism for awarding distance education master's in agriculture. This goal is in progress. It was determined that the MAS would be offered through MSU and that a streamlined system would be set up to allow students from NMSU and UCM to participate. Additionally, tuition would go back to the teaching institution (MSU, NMSU or UCM) dependent on enrollment in courses offered through each site. Further, one flat rate would be charged that included an administration fee. What remains to be done is the creation of distance courses to allow for the MAS to be completed at a distance and the creation of the actual system to allow administration of the awarding/enrolling system.
Publications
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