Masters Student in Food Systems, Nicolas Fabien-Ouellet, researches the culinary and social dimensions of Poutine.

Inquiry to Action

Our graduate programs in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences offer opportunities to pursue specialized study, and inspire and motivate students through diverse research methods, transdisciplinary and systems thinking.   Students are engaged in a variety of approaches to natural and social science study, working toward finding solutions to problems in an ever-changing, complex world.  You will become problem solvers, innovative thinkers, researchers, and be equipped with the knowledge, skills, and values to make a difference locally to globally.

Graduate Programs

Agroecology (Certificate of Graduate Study)

UVM’s 15-credit Certificate of Graduate Study is designed to examine potential pathways towards the sustainable transformation of our current agrifood system by integrating economic, social, and ecological perspectives. Rooted in “Participatory Action Research” (PAR), the program guides students to identify key questions and practice new methods for integrating data from multiple perspectives (farmers, academics, activists, policymakers, etc.). This is used to both better understand agrifood system issues, as well as search for solutions that show real promise to help resolve issues on the ground.

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Animal Biosciences (Accelerated Master's Program)

An option for the outstanding student with an interest in a graduate degree in Animal Science is the Accelerated Master’s Program (AMP) in which students commence study for their master's degree in their senior year and have the potential to obtain a B.S./M.S. in a five-year period. Accepted AMP students begin work toward their M.S.  during their senior year while completing the B.S. 9 graduate level coursework credits taken in the senior year can  count toward both the B.S. and the M.S.

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Animal Biosciences (M.S)

The M.S. in Animal Biosciences program is designed to provide fundamental training in basic and applied research with a focuses on farm animal agriculture. The interdisciplinary program involves a combination of courses and graduate research and prepares students for careers in basic or applied animal sciences, working at universities, colleges, government agencies, private industry, or public health education programs. Areas of research interest include nutrition, metabolism, lactation, reproduction, genetics, and/or animal health.

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Animal Biosciences (Ph.D.)

An interdisciplinary program leading to the Ph.D. degree in Animal Biosciences is offered under the direction of a committee composed of program graduate faculty. The goal of this interdisciplinary program is to provide advanced education and research training in nutrition, metabolism, lactation, reproduction, genetics, and/or animal health. All Ph.D. students will complete a common core of courses as well as specific courses to support their research programs. The program provides the flexibility necessary for students to gain competence in the area of their choice.

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Community Development & Applied Economics (M.S.)

CDAE's Master of Science degree focuses on community development both locally and globally. The hallmark of this program is its transdisciplinarity and flexibility. Student research and theses are in diverse areas including food systems, sustainable development, agriculture, transportation, and consumer behavior both in the US and abroad.

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Dietetics (M.S.D.)

The Master of Science in Dietetics (MSD) Program in the Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences at the University of Vermont is a 30-hour graduate credit degree that prepares students for professional practice as a registered dietitian/nutritionist (RD/N).  The program includes didactic coursework and supervised practice culminating in eligibility to write the exam for registered dietitian/nutritionists.

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Field Naturalist (Plant Biology) (M.S.)

A Field Naturalist student’s degree culminates in satisfactory completion of a field project for a sponsoring organization that includes a professional report, a focused literature review, a written academic reflection, an oral presentation, and a journal publication or article in the popular mass media.

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Food Systems (Accelerated Master's Program)

Current UVM students may be eligible to pursue an Accelerated Masters in Food Systems. This program is ideal for students who wish to obtain an MS degree directly after completing their Bachelor of Arts or Science. Students apply to the program in the second semester of their junior year or the first semester of their senior year. After admission to the graduate program by the Graduate College, students will choose 6 credits of graduate level courses from the list of approved electives below that can be taken while still an undergraduate.

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Food Systems (M.S.)

Students pursuing an MS in Food Systems will apply knowledge of the interconnected and interdependent global food system and develop skills in mixed method research approaches in order to critically analyze and propose solutions to problems. The goal is always to combine knowledge with action. The program is flexible so that students may take courses full or part-time, however it was designed to be completed in 18 months.

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Food Systems (Ph.D.)

The Food Systems Graduate Program offers a transdisciplinary, cohort educational model. The PhD in Food Systems combines a comprehensive investigation of food systems and a commitment to developing methods for solving the current problems of the food system.

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Microbiology and Molecular Genetics (Accelerated Master's Degree)

The Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics is pleased to offer a Microbiology and Molecular Genetics Accelerated Masters Program to select UVM undergraduate science majors so that they may obtain both their Bachelor’s degree and a Master’s degree in Microbiology and Molecular Genetics in a total of five years of study. The objective of this AMP is to provide a broad knowledge base of microbiological and molecular genetic concepts to increase their competitiveness to pursue additional graduate degrees (PhD, MD) or to prepare students for careers in pharmaceutical, biotechnology and related industries.

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Nutrition and Food Sciences (Accelerated Master's Program)

Current undergraduate Dietetics, Nutrition and Food Sciences and Nutrition and Food Sciences majors may be eligible to pursue an Accelerated Masters in Nutrition and Food Sciences. This program allows students to complete their M.S. degree immediately after finishing their B.S. Students apply in the second semester of their junior year. After admission to the graduate program by the Graduate College, students will choose 6 credits of graduate level courses from a list of approved electives that will count for their undergraduate and graduate degrees.

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Nutrition and Food Sciences (M.S.)

Faculty research encompasses both basic and applied aspects of human nutrition and food science. Current studies focus on Web-based interactive multimedia tools for teaching and research, obesity treatment trials, nutrition and physical activity interventions for adolescents and young adults, food product development cheese chemistry and food microbiology.

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Plant Biology (Ph.D.)

All students must successfully complete a total of 75 credits, including a minimum of 30 credits of program-related course work and 20 credits of dissertation research. First-year students participate in at least two rotations in research laboratories before committing to one laboratory for completion of dissertation research. Satisfactory completion of the written and oral components of a comprehensive examination are required for advancement to candidacy. A student’s Ph.D. degree is culminated by satisfactory completion of a dissertation, a public seminar, and a private defense with their studies committee. In addition to research, all students must participate in a minimum of two courses of supervised teaching.

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Plant and Soil Science (M.S.)

Current research projects are concerned with the solution of horticultural and agronomic problems with special emphasis on environmental physiology, soil chemistry, pasture management, plant nutrition, and pest management.  A student's thesis research will be an integral part of the on-going research efforts of the department.

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Plant and Soil Science (Ph.D.)

Current research projects are concerned with the solution of horticultural and agronomic problems with special emphasis on environmental physiology, soil chemistry, pasture management, plant nutrition, and pest management. Areas of research include winter hardiness of fruits, and woody and herbaceous ornamentals; cultural and environmental interrelationships as they affect plant growth, crop adaptation, and variety; pasture production and marginal land utilization; crop establishment and soil productivity; mycorrhizal fungi; soil chemistry of the rhizosphere; redox reactions in soils; the behavior of heavy metals; compost and organic matter research; behavior of nitrogen in the soil; nutrient availability to plants; agricultural waste management; biological control of insects, disease, and weeds; integrated pest management for control of insects, diseases, and weeds. 

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Public Administration (Accelerated Master's Program, M.P.A)

The Accelerated Master of Public Administration Program is designed for UVM undergraduate students who are interested in a jump start on their graduate degree. In the junior year, students apply to the MPA with the admission requirements for all applicants. The goal is to be accepted by May 15th in their junior year.

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Public Administration (M.P.A.)

Vermont's small size, open local and state government, and wealth of nonprofit organizations make for an ideal environment in which to directly engage with the public administration field. Our MPA program is a professional interdisciplinary degree that prepares pre and in-service leaders, managers and policy analysts by combining the theoretical and practical foundations of public administration focusing on the complexity of governance systems and the democratic, collaborative traditions that are a hallmark of Vermont communities. 

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Sustainable Development Policy, Economics and Governance (Ph.D.)

The Sustainable Development Policy, Economics and Governance (SDPEG) Ph.D. program offers a transdisciplinary doctoral education in the policies, practices and theories of sustainable development. By offering a core curriculum that includes applied policy and economic analysis, governance and process design, social science methods, and professional skills development, the program produces graduates capable of conducting original, applied research that is designed to support sustainability and resiliency across social, ecological, and technical systems.

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