Agricultural Economics

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

BSc Degree in Agricultural Economics is one of the many programs in which M.A. College has obtained full-fledged accreditation from FDRE Education Authority in distance education.

The degree to be issued to the students upon completion of the graduation requirements set by the college has the following nomenclature: In English – : Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree in Agricultural Economics. Its Amharic version is“የሳይንስ ባችለር ዲግሪ በ ግብርና ምጣኔ ሐብት”.

The standard study period to complete the program is eight semesters (four years) and twelve terms as it is for distance learners and requires a successful completion of 152 credit hours.

THE GRADUATE PROFILE

The current poverty reduction effort and promotion of sustainable development in Ethiopia demand competent and committed professionals in Agricultural Economics. In reply to this demand, the universities developed a curriculum to contribute its share to the socio-economic development of the country. To materialize the need of the labor market it is badly needed to have modularized: task oriented, student centered and competency based curriculum. In response to this, in the academic year 2011/2012 the MoE came up with the notion of implementing a modularized and nationally harmonized curriculum by different universities. Accordingly, the conventional curricula have been modified to include the students’ workload through awarding ECTS instead of credit hours, which only show the instructors workload.

After successful completion of the training, the graduates are expected to gain knowledge skills and attitude that enable them to:

  • Participate in design, implementation and evaluation of agricultural development projects;
  • Apply effective and efficient resource utilization theories and practices for sustainable agricultural development;
  • Involve in feasibility studies and advise investors, financial institutions, agriculture and allied sectors;
  • Assist researchers and policy makers in agricultural production and productivity; marketing and sustainable use of natural resource and environment;
  • Establish and operate their own business;
  • Train and advise small scale farmers and agricultural entrepreneurs;
  • Serve as planners in agricultural offices;
  • Manage small scale farms and agricultural enterprises;
  • Work as Extension team member/leader, Market expert and Loan officer; and
  • Assist teaching at HEIs, and technical and vocational training institutions.

DURATION OF THE DEGREE PROGRAM

The training is a four years program. It offers theoretical knowledge and practical skills to qualify the students for the graduate profile. The program requires four years or (12 terms) in distance program. Students are required to complete a total of 152 credit hours or 251 ECTS.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Applicants for admission to the Bachelor of Science Degree Program in Agricultural Economics can be:

  • A successful completion of two-year preparatory program with minimum College Entrance Examinations Result set for admission by Ministry of education, for the entry year.
  • Completion of Diploma program (12+2 and 10+3), Level 4 TVET program with one-year relevant work experience after graduation, Occupational Competency Assessment (COC) Certification for that level and a pass score on the College’s entrance examination.
  • A degree program student from other accredited Higher Education Institution with legal withdrawal beyond disciplinary breach, and/or transferred in case of institutional preference or field choice.
  • A first degree graduates in related field of study from accredited Higher Education Institution

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

Graduate students will be awarded the “Bachelor of Science Degree in Agricultural Economics” if they fulfill the following requirements:

  • A successful completion of 152 credit hour
  • A minimum Cumulative Grade Points Average (CGPA) of 2.00
  • A minimum Cumulative Grade Points Average (CGPA) of 2.00 in core courses
  • No ‘F’ grade, No Grade (NG), and Incomplete (I) cases in any of the courses
  • Must be in compliance with the regulation of the college.

DEGREE NOMENCLATURE

Students who have successfully completed graduation requirements can earn the following degree: Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree in AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS. Its Amharic version is“የሳይንስ ባችለር ዲግሪ በ ግብርና ምጣኔ ሐብት”.