Master of Agricultural Extension and Rural Community

A. Knowledge and Understanding:

1. Acquire fundamental, specialized, and up-to-date knowledge in Agricultural Extension, as well as research related to this field.

2. Understand the impact of social, economic, and psychological factors affecting both workers and farmers, whether in relation to extension work in particular or agricultural production in general.

3. Acquire knowledge of modern techniques and methods in the field of extension communication methods and media.

4. Support and develop the science of Agricultural Extension in accordance with global academic developments in this field.

B. Cognitive Skills:

1. Acquire skills in problem analysis, technology transfer, communication skills, scientific research methods, and writing scientific and technical reports and research proposals.

2. Ability to develop scientific research for master’s students in the field of Agricultural Extension.

3. Acquire persuasion skills, scientific description, and the preparation of research results in the form of scientific reports.

C. Professional and Practical Skills:

1. Acquire extension communication skills and the ability to gain people’s trust in order to accelerate their adoption of new agricultural innovations.

2. Acquire scientific thinking skills for solving agricultural problems.

3. Ability to plan, implement, and evaluate extension programs and prepare technical extension recommendations.

D. General Skills:

1. Ability to use computer software.

2. Proficiency in communication, education, and training skills.

3. Acquire teamwork skills and the ability to lead change.

In addition to the admission requirements stated in the Unified Regulations for Graduate Studies in Saudi Universities and the organizational and executive rules for graduate studies at King Saud University, the department requires the following:

1. The applicant for the program must hold a Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Sciences or Agricultural Social Sciences with a minimum grade of “Good.” Applicants with a “Good” grade are subject to the provisions stated in Article (15) of the Unified Regulations for Graduate Studies in Saudi Universities.

2. Passing the personal interview according to the procedures determined by the department.

3. Passing the remedial (supplementary) courses specified by the department for students who have deficiencies in courses related to Agricultural Extension.

First Year – First Semester

RSHD 554 – Rural Population (Advanced) – 2 Credit Hours (2+0)
RSHD 575 – Learning Theories and Their Applications in Education – 2 Credit Hours (2+0)
RSHD 571 – Organization and Management of Agricultural Extension Agencies – 2 Credit Hours (2+0)

Total: 6 Credit Hours

First Year – Second Semester

RSHD 572 – Planning and Evaluation of Agricultural Extension Programs (Advanced) – 2 Credit Hours (1+0)
RSHD 574 – Communication Theory in Agricultural Extension – 2 Credit Hours (2+0)
RSHD 531 – Quantitative Analysis of Rural Society (Advanced) – 3 Credit Hours (2+1)
RSHD 595 – Seminars (Safety Topics) – 1 Credit Hour (1+0)

Total: 8 Credit Hours

Second Year – First Semester

RSHD 556 – The Process of Technological Change in Agriculture – 2 Credit Hours (2+0)
RSHD 577 – Comparative Extension Systems (Advanced) – 2 Credit Hours (2+0)
RSHD 552 – Application of Social Theories in Agricultural Extension – 2 Credit Hours (2+0)

Total: 6 Credit Hours

Second Year – Second Semester

RSHD 590 – Special Studies – 2 Credit Hours
RSHD 553 – Integrated Rural Development – 2 Credit Hours
RSHD 596 – Research Proposal Preparation – 1 Credit Hour
ZARA 501 – Methods and Approaches of Scientific Research – 1 Credit Hour

Total: 6 Credit Hours

Third Year

RSHD 600 – Thesis – 6 Credit Hours

Total: 25 Credit Hours + Thesis