University of North Dakota

What you'll study

This programme blends core public service and public administration topics with specialist modules addressing agricultural and rural issues. Typical taught subjects include public policy analysis, budgeting and finance for the public sector, administrative law and ethics, programme evaluation, and research methods. Specialist agricultural and rural modules cover agricultural policy and regulation, rural development and community planning, food systems and supply chains, natural resource policy, and agricultural risk management.

Students normally choose between a research thesis route and a professional capstone or practicum. The thesis option emphasises original research under faculty supervision, while the practicum places students in a government agency, extension office or non‑governmental organisation to deliver a substantial applied project. Electives often include GIS for regional planning, grant writing, stakeholder engagement and econometrics or qualitative methods for policy research.

Entry requirements

• Academic qualification: A recognised bachelor's degree from an accredited institution. Degrees in public administration, political science, agricultural sciences, economics, or related fields are typical, though applicants from other backgrounds with relevant experience are considered.
• Performance: Competitive undergraduate academic record; departments review transcripts to assess preparation for graduate study.
• Supporting documents: Personal statement outlining your interest in agricultural public services and career goals, curriculum vitae, and academic or professional references.
• English language: If your first language is not English, you will need to meet the university's English proficiency requirements through an approved test or prior study in English.
• Experience (recommended): Practical experience in a public agency, extension service, agricultural business, or community development organisation strengthens an application, especially for the practicum track. GRE scores are considered where required by the admissions committee but are not universally mandatory.

Career prospects

Graduates move into a range of roles where public policy, community engagement and agricultural knowledge intersect. Typical career destinations include state and federal agricultural departments, county extension services, rural development agencies, farm credit and cooperative organisations, non‑profit and advocacy groups focused on food systems and rural livelihoods, and international development agencies.

Job titles held by alumni include policy analyst, programme manager, extension director, rural development specialist, agricultural outreach coordinator, regulatory affairs officer and grant manager. The programme's emphasis on applied projects and placements also prepares graduates for consultancy roles and for further academic research at doctoral level.

Why study at University of North Dakota

• Location and regional focus: UND is situated in a largely rural state with a significant agricultural sector, providing access to real‑world case studies, local agencies and farming communities for applied learning and research.
• Interdisciplinary strengths: Students benefit from collaboration across departments and centres that work on rural health, natural resources and community resilience, enabling a broad approach to agricultural public service challenges.
• Practical experience: The programme emphasises experiential learning through practicum placements and partnerships with state agencies, county extension offices and NGOs, helping students build professional networks and applied skills.
• Faculty and research support: Faculty with expertise in public administration, policy evaluation and rural issues supervise student research and applied projects, and the university supports graduate research infrastructure and funding opportunities.