POSTGRADUATE PROGRAMMES
The Nigerian agricultural extension service is witnessing a lot of rapid changes. There are rapid changes in the number of institutions promoting extension programmes. Farmer groups are becoming more sophisticated both in nature and in behaviour, and are increasing their demands on the extension service. Knowledge of suitable agricultural practices and the people’s culture is changing in content and direction. The need for extension teaching and farmer education in Nigeria remains almost constant and largely inadequate. These professionals need to develop their understanding of the role of extension in emerging areas of knowledge.
1 A.PHILOSOPHY
The founders of the University of Nigeria believed that there was need to train Nigerian youths locally, and in sufficient numbers, for the formidable task of disseminating useful and practical information from the research base to rural farm families’ for sustainable food production. Agricultural Extension is based on the philosophy that rural people are intelligent, capable and desirous of receiving information and making use of it for their individual and community welfare. It is purely voluntary and democratic in its approach to people. It is truly anchored on the principle of working with the rural farm families where they are, build on what they have, add to what they know and enable them to develop themselves. The underlying philosophy of the programme therefore, is to produce professionals who will be theoretically and practically knowledgeable in agricultural production and rural life.
- PROGRAMME OBJECTIVES
Participants in the programme will:
- Develop their understanding of:
- the nature of rural extension within agricultural programmes, and
- the processes of social and technical change in rural communities.
- Identify constraints to effective agricultural extension work in their own community or project, and explore ways of overcoming them.
- Improve their skills in:
- analyzing the social and economic context within which agricultural programmes takes place;
- specific aspects of extension methods;
- setting objectives for, and the planning and monitoring of extension programmes;
- management, supervision and monitoring of extension staff;
- selecting and using appropriate extension communication methods for the various stages of an extension programme, including the design of extension aids, and
- working collaboratively with various client groups to enable them to participate in agricultural programmes.
- SCOPE OF THE PROGRAMME
The postgraduate programme comprises the Postgraduate Diploma, Master and Doctorate degrees. At the Master and Doctorate degree levels, students are expected to take agricultural extension courses and specialize in any one of the following areas: agricultural administration, agricultural development communication, agricultural extension education, agricultural planning and evaluation and rural sociology. The requirements for the degree thus include the completion of the required ancillary courses, necessary electives, seminars and project report/thesis.
- ENTRY REQUIREMENTS FOR EACH PROGRAMME
- POSTGRADUATE DIPLOMA (PGD)
- Holders of a 3.00 grade point average on a five point scale at the Higher National Diploma (HND) or its equivalent in Agriculture or related subjects suitable for extension work, obtained from a recognized institution. Applicants with years of experience in rural extension work will be given preference.
- Graduates of the University of Nigeria or other recognized Universities who desire knowledge in Agricultural Extension but do not meet the requirements for admission into the M.Sc. Programme in Agricultural Extension.
- DEGREE OF MASTERS (M.Sc.)
- Graduates of the University of Nigeria or other recognized Universities who have obtained the degree of Bachelors with at least 2nd Class Honours with a minimum of 2.50 cumulative grade point average (CGPA) on a 5-point scale or its equivalent in Agricultural Extension, related areas of agriculture or areas suitable for extension work may apply.
- Holders of a University 3rd Class Degree Honourswith at least a 3.50 GPA on a 5 –point scale at the Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) in Agriculture or other relevant areas obtained from the University of Nigeria or other recognized Universities.
- Holders of credit level pass at HND with at least a 3.00 GPA on a 5-point scale from recognized institutions plus a 3.50 GPA on a 5 –point scale at PGD in agriculture or other related areas obtained from this University or other recognized Universities.
- MASTERS’/Ph.D PROGRAMME
- A candidate with first class honours bachelor’s degree from a recognized University maybe admitted into a Master’s/ Ph.D programme.
- A candidate with a GPA of 3.00 on a 4-point scale or 4.00GPA on the 5-point scale and above in the Master’s degree in any area of agriculture from the University of Nigeria or other recognized Universities, who wishes to do a Ph.D in any area of agricultural extension maybe admitted into the Master’s /Ph.D programme.
- DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY (Ph.D.)
- Graduates of the University of Nigeria or of other recognized universities who have obtained the degree of Masters in Agricultural Extension with a minimum of 3.50 Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) on a 5-point scale (3.00 CGPA on a 4-point scale) povided that satisfactory research work formed part of the degree. Demonstrated evidence of completed academic research will be an advantage.
- Candidates with 1st Class Hounors Degree in Agricultural Extension from a recognized University or Masters Degree holders in related fields with not less than 3.5/5 CGPA may be admitted in the M.Sc./Ph.D. programme. At the end of the second semester of being on the programme the candidates may be considered for a firm registration for Ph.D. programme if the candidate makes a 3.5/5 GPA in the Master’s course work. (For other conditions for M.Sc./Ph.D. programmes please see postgraduate regulations from the School of Postgraduate Studies). Candidates who hold qualifications other than those listed for specific programmes above and are acceptable to Senate may be admitted into the particular programme.
- MODE OF STUDY FOR EACH PROGRAMME
- Postgraduate Diploma Programme:
The programme shall consists of course work to be examined in written papers, seminars or special topics together with research work to be presented in a project report. Candidates for the PGD will be required to take a total of 30 credit units.
- Master’s Degree Programme
The programme shall consists of course work to be examined in written papers, seminars or special topics together with research work to be presented in a project report, where course work predominates over research and constitutes not less than two- thirds of the total units. Candidates for the Masters programme will be required to take a total of 44 credit units, which will be composed of 34 units of core courses, 4 units of elective courses based on the candidate’s area of specialization, and 6 units of research work.
- Doctor of Philosophy Degree Programme
The programme shall consist of course work, seminars or special topics and Thesis. Every Ph.D. candidate will successfully present a minimum of two seminars one of which must be in his area of specialization before presenting his research proposal. These seminars will be assessed by the departmental postgraduate committee.
The Ph.D. degree programme is to be presented by comprehensive research to be embodied in a thesis. For a thesis to be approved for the degree of Ph.D, the candidate must display critical judgment and the thesis must contain materials publishable as a definite contribution to knowledge in Agricultural Extension. Candidates for the PhD will be required to take a minimum of 48 credit units, of which 12 units are for the thesis, 30 units for the Masters programme or courseworkand 6 units for the seminar.
- DURATION OF THE PROGRAMMES
- Postgraduate Diploma Programmes:
- Regular (full-time): A minimum of 2 semesters
A maximum of 4 semesters
- Part-time: A minimum of 2 semesters
A maximum of 4 semesters
- Duration of Master’s Degree Programmes:
- Full-time: A minimum of 4 semesters
A maximum of 8 semesters
- Part-time: A minimum of 6 semesters
A maximum of 10 semesters
- Duration of Masters/PhD programme
- Full-time: A minimum of 7 semesters
A maximum of 10 semesters
- Part-time: A minimum of 8 semesters
A maximum of 12 semesters
- Duration of Ph.D. Programme (after Masters Degree):
- Full-time: A minimum of 6 semesters
A maximum of 10 semesters
- Part-time: A minimum of 8 semesters
A maximum of 14 semesters
- EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Products of the programme have job opportunities within Federal and State Ministries and Parastatals, such as Ministries of Agriculture, Rural Development, Information, Mass Mobilization for Social and Economic Reconstruction, National Directorate for Employment, Better Life for Rural Women, River Basin Authorities. They have opportunities to serve as staff and advisers to the agricultural units of banks and insurance companies; as academic and extension staff in institutions of higher learning and as development officers/advisers in multilateral and bilateral development and aid agencies.
Many job opportunities exist in private establishments as large scale farm, agro-chemical industries, agro-service centers, and adaptive research in research establishments.
- AREAS OF SPECIALIZATION (M. SC AND PH.D)
Postgraduate studies in the Department of Agricultural Extension may be pursued in the areas of:
- Agricultural Administration
- Agricultural Development Communication
- Agricultural Extension Education
- Agricultural Planning and Evaluation
- Rural Sociology
- STRESS AREAS
Courses in the programmes are grouped under the stress areas as follows:
Stress Areas | Stress Area No. | |
Rural Sociology | 0 | |
Agricultural Administration | 1 | |
Agricultural Development Communication | 2 | |
Principles of Rural Extension/ Education | 3 | |
Planning and Evaluation of Extension Programmes | 4 | |
Climate Change Innovation | 7 | |
Research Methods and Statistics | 8 | |
Project / Dissertation/ Thesis | 9 | |
- LIST OF APPROVED SUPERVISORS
- C. Anyanwu Agricultural Development Communication
B.Sc., M.Sc. (Nig.), Ph.D (Iowa)
M.C.Madukwe . Agricultural Administration and Extension
B.Sc M.Sc., Ph.D. (Nig.)
E.M. Igbokwe Rural Sociology and Rural Development
B.Sc. M.Sc.,Ph.D. (Nig.)
A.E. Agwu Agric. Extension Development Communication
B.Agric.M.Sc. Ph.D. (Nig.)
E.A. Onwubuya Extension Education
B.Sc. M.Sc. (Nig) Ph.D. (ESUT)
M.U. Dimelu Agricultural Administration and Extension
B.Agric. M.Sc., Ph.D. (Nig.)
N.Ozor Agricultural Administration and Extension
B.Agric., M.Sc., Ph.D. (Nig.)
J.M. Chah Rural Sociology
HND, PGD., M.Sc., Ph.D. (Nig.)
I.A. Enwelu Rural Sociology
B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D. (Nig.)
J.C. Iwuchukwu Rural Sociology
B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D. (Nig.)
- POSTGRADUATE MASTERS DEGREE PROGRAMME STRUCTURE
Each student will be required to take the following courses:
First Semester (First Year)
(a) Required Courses (Core Courses)
Course No. | Title | Units | ||||
AEX 701
AEX 711 AEX 721 AEX 731 AEX 741 AEX 771 AEX 781 PGC 601
|
Rural Community Organization and Institutions
Principles and Theory of Agricultural Administration Process of Agricultural Communication and Teaching Aids Principles and Philosophy of Extension Education Programme Planning in Extension Climate Change and Agricultural Production Design of Extension Research Research Methodology and application of ICT in Research for Masters |
2
2 2 2 2 2 2 3 |
||||
|
||||||
Total 17 units | ||||||
Second Semester |
||||||
Course No. | Title | Units | ||||
AEX 712
AEX 722 AEX 732 AEX 742 AEX 772 AEX 782
AEX 784 |
Personnel Administration and Supervision in Extension
Diffusion of Innovations Teaching and Training Methods in Extension Extension Evaluation Communicating Climate Change in agriculture Statistical Techniques and Computer Application in Extension Research Seminar l |
2
2 2 2 2 2
2 |
||||
Total | 14 Units | |||||
First Semester (Second Year) |
||||||
Course No. Course Title Unit | ||||||
AEX 703
AEX 773 AEX 785 AEX 799 |
Rural Social Systems and Change
Climate Change in Agricultural Innovation Seminar ll Project |
2
2 2 6 |
||||
Total 16/26 | ||||||
Overall Total 44 | ||||||
*Each student should elect two courses from his area of specialization as listed above
M.Sc. PROGRAMME COURSE DESCRIPTION
PGC 601 Research Methodology and application of ICT in Research for Masters (3 Units)
In-depth research work aimed at acquiring full knowledge and presentations in scholarly writing of the concepts, issues, trends in the definition and development of the study area from African and Western perspectives. Major steps in research: Selection of problem, Literature review, Design, Data collection, analysis and interpretation, Conclusion. Study of various research designs, historical, Case studies,
AEX 701 Rural Community Organizations and Institutions (2 Units)
Community concept and composition; Community organization; Village institutions; Factors affecting community organizations and institutions in Nigeria; Theories of leadership; Community power structure; Case studies.
AEX 703 Rural Social Systems and Change (2 Units)
Rural sociology and its relationship to other social sciences including agricultural extension; Nature of social systems, their elements and processes; The rural family; Dynamics of rural population; Theories of social change; Role of planned change in modernization; Techniques for accelerating change; Measurement of change.
AEX 707 Rural Development Policy and Programmes (2 Units)
Concept of development; Rural community development as educational process; Various policies and approaches to rural development used in Nigeria; Evaluation of rural development policy and programmes introduced in Nigeria; Issues in rural development.
AEX 709 Sociological Theories and Human Ecology (2 Units)
Application of sociological, anthropological and social psychological concepts and methods to the problems of institutions and agencies concerned with rural development work; Scientific explanation and proof of selected theories – Axiomatic, functional and systemic; Meaning of ecology and environment; Ecological theories of society.
AEX 711 Principles and Theory of Agricultural Administration (2 Units)
Principles of administration, organization, coordination and bureaucracy; Systems of agricultural organization in Nigeria; Budget development and economic aspects of extension work; Office management and public relation.
AEX 712 Personnel Administration and Supervision in Extension (2 Units)
Concept and role of personnel administration; Personnel training and development; Staff performance and personnel appraisal; Supervision and human relations in extension; Qualifications and functions of staff in extension.
AEX 713 Agricultural Extension Organization and Institutions (2 Units)
Review of agricultural organizations and institutions world-wide and their functions, characteristics, importance and need; Significance and contribution of international organizations and institutions to agricultural development in Nigeria.
AEX 715 Agricultural Extension Policy and Development (2 Units)
Meaning of Agricultural Development; Theories and models of agricultural development in various economic systems; Agricultural Extension Policy in Nigeria. Rationale and techniques for development planning; Problems of plan implementation; Case studies in development planning.
AEX 721 Process of Agricultural Communication and Teaching Aids (2 Units)
Principles and methods of human communication; The message, channel, treatment of the message, audience, audience response; Problems in communication; Media and their role in extension work; Planning of communication strategies and campaigns; Role/application of ICT in agriculture.
AEX 722 Diffusion of Innovation (2 Units)
The concept of adoption and diffusion; Adoption process; Factors affecting adoption and diffusion of innovations; Opinion leaders and the flow of ideas; Methodologies for measuring adoption and diffusion; Recent researches in adoption and diffusion of innovation.
AEX 723 Agricultural Journalism (2 Units)
Role and importance of agricultural journalism in information transfer technology; Agricultural news writing; Guidelines for script writing in agriculture; Categories of programmes in which agricultural scripts are relevant; Techniques of writing agricultural news stories for the media; Practice in writing newspaper articles and short magazine articles as they relate to agricultural extension; Techniques of editing and proof-reading extension articles; Preparation of bulletins, leaflets and technical journal; Information sources in agricultural journalism; Media organizations in Nigeria; News agencies in the world.
AEX 724 Photography and Documentation in Agriculture (2 Units)
Operation, care and maintenance of selected audio and visual equipment; Recording; Modern information and communication appliances; Essentials of camera, camera operation, types of camera and their uses; Taking good photographs; Printers and printing techniques; Enlarging photographs and slides production; Documenting farming activities, documentation methodology, writing up the documents, interpretation and presentation of documents; Measures for enhancing the integration of ICT into the documentation of farming activities; Constraints to the use of modern ICTs in agriculture.
AEX 731 Principles and Philosophy of Extension Education (2 Units)
Concept and Philosophy of Extension; Past extension efforts in Nigeria; Economic, human and social-cultural factors in agricultural development; Extension as a profession.
AEX 732 Teaching and Training Methods in Extension (2 Units)
Basic principles of teaching and learning in extension; Extension teaching methods, Cost effectiveness analysis of extension teaching methods; Training in extension. Training needs; Evaluation of training programmes.
AEX 733 Comparative Extension Systems (2 Units)
Case studies of state extension services in Nigeria; Examination of national and regional extension rural development programmes from different parts of the world; Comparative study of agricultural extension systems, approaches and methods in various countries.
AEX 737 Issues in Agricultural Extension (2 Units)
An examination of current issues and problems of extension work in Nigeria; Analysis of historical, philosophical and social factors affecting the issues.
AEX 741 Programme Planning in Extension (2 Units)
Concepts, principles, objectives and procedures in preparing an extension programme; Preparing a plan of work; Implementation of the programme ( timeframes, roles and responsibilities, resources, risk management, monitoring and reporting requirement); Measurement of programme implementation approaches; Review of past extension programmes.
AEX 742 Extension Evaluation (2 Units)
Concept and need for evaluation; Kinds and levels of evaluation; Methodology and techniques of evaluation; Methods of evaluating the financial impact of agricultural extension programmes; Evaluating project before implementation using Net Present Value (NPV), Benefit Cost Ratio (BCR) and Internal Rate of Return; Analysis and interpretation of data; Practical problems in programmes evaluation; Reporting of evaluation.
AEX 743 Scaling in Agricultural Extension (2 Units)
Role of measurement in agricultural extension; Theory, process, and techniques of scale development; Different techniques in extension research; Utilization of scaling techniques in extension research; Advantages and limitations of scaling technique.; Construction and standardization of scale to measure the scientific temperament of farmers.
AEX 744 Special Programmes in Extension (2 Units)
Types of rural women and youth programmes in Nigeria and elsewhere; Role of government and non-government agencies in women and youth Programmes; Strategies for organizing and involving women and youth in development programmes; Gender issues in agricultural planning and development.
AEX 771 Climate Change and Agricultural Production (2 Units)
Basic concepts and definitions of food security, nutrition security; Conceptual framework of food security and climate change; Poverty and food security situations in Nigeria; Changing climate and food production, distribution and accessibility; Methods of ameliorating climate change, social conflict and food security.
AEX 772 Communicating Climate Change in Agriculture (2Units) Documentation of science, technology and innovations on climate change; Mapping of climate change scenarios—causes, impacts, mitigation and adaptation; Sources of information on climate change; Methodologies and principles for disseminating and communicating climate change science to rural farmers and pastoralists and their feedback mechanisms; Targeting vulnerable groups; Case studies on climate change extension.
AEX 773 Climate Change in Agricultural Innovation (2 Units)
Concept of agricultural innovation system; National system of agricultural innovation; Identifying key actors in the climate change agricultural innovation systems; The roles and characteristics of actors in the climate change agricultural innovation system, investment, production, linkage, marketing and learning.
AEX 781 Design of Extension Research (2 Units)
Problem identification and development of hypothesis; Types of Extension research; Research designs in Extension; Journal articles, technical and research report
AEX 782 Statistical Techniques and Computer Applications in Extension Research (2 Units)
Introduction to computer programmes relevant to extension; Use of computer software for measures of central tendency and dispersion; Graphs; Differences in means; Relationships; level of measurement.
AEX 799 Project (6 Units)
Research proposal, data collection, data analysis, preliminary report (seminar), and final report.
PGC 601 Research Methodology and application of ICT in Research for Masters (3 Units)
In-dept research work aimed at acquiring full knowledge and presentations in scholarly writing of the concepts, issues, trends in the definition and development of the study area from African and Western perspectives. Major steps in research: selection of problem, Literature review, Design, Data collection, analysis and interpretation. Conclusions, study of various research designs, Historical, Case studies, Surveys, Descriptive, Cross sectional, Experimental etc. analysis, surveys and synthesis of conceptual and philosophical foundations of different disciplines. Detailed treatment of methods of collecting relevant research data and the format for presenting research results (from designing the table of contents to referencing, bibliography and appendix). Data analysis and result presentation in different disciplines using appropriate analytical tools. Methods of project/dissertation writing. Application of appropriate advanced ICT tools relevant in every discipline for data gathering, analysis and result presentation. Essentials of Spreadsheets, Internet technology, and Internet search engines. All registered Masters Degree students must attend a solution-based interactive workshop to be organized by the School of Postgraduate Studies for a practical demonstration and application of the knowledge acquired from the course, conducted by selected experts.
UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA, NSUKKA
Faculty of Agriculture
Department of Agricultural Extension
Revised PhD Degree Programme in Agricultural Extension
OCTOBER 2014
POSTGRADUATE PROGRAMMES
The Nigerian agricultural extension service is witnessing a lot of rapid changes. There are rapid changes in the number of institutions promoting extension programmes. Farmer groups are becoming more sophisticated both in nature and in behaviour, and are increasing their demands on the extension service. Knowledge of suitable agricultural practices and the people’s culture is changing in content and direction. The need for extension teaching and farmer education in Nigeria remains almost constant and largely inadequate. These professionals need to develop their understanding of the role of extension in emerging areas of knowledge.
1 A.PHILOSOPHY
The founders of the University of Nigeria believed that there was need to train Nigerian youths locally, and in sufficient numbers, for the formidable task of disseminating useful and practical information from the research base to rural farm families’ for sustainable food production. Agricultural Extension is based on the philosophy that rural people are intelligent, capable and desirous of receiving information and making use of it for their individual and community welfare. It is purely voluntary and democratic in its approach to people. It is truly anchored on the principle of working with the rural farm families where they are, build on what they have, add to what they know and enable them to develop themselves. The underlying philosophy of the programme therefore, is to produce professionals who will be theoretically and practically knowledgeable in agricultural production and rural life.
- PROGRAMME OBJECTIVES
Participants in the programme will:
- Develop their understanding of:
- the nature of rural extension within agricultural programmes, and
- the processes of social and technical change in rural communities.
- Identify constraints to effective agricultural extension work in their own community or project, and explore ways of overcoming them.
- Improve their skills in:
- analyzing the social and economic context within which agricultural programmes takes place;
- specific aspects of extension methods;
- setting objectives for, and the planning and monitoring of extension programmes;
- management, supervision and monitoring of extension staff;
- selecting and using appropriate extension communication methods for the various stages of an extension programme, including the design of extension aids, and
- working collaboratively with various client groups to enable them to participate in agricultural programmes.
- SCOPE OF THE PROGRAMME
The postgraduate programme comprises the Postgraduate Diploma, Master and Doctorate degrees. At the Master and Doctorate degree levels, students are expected to take agricultural extension courses and specialize in any one of the following areas: agricultural administration, agricultural development communication, agricultural extension education, agricultural planning and evaluation and rural sociology. The requirements for the degree thus include the completion of the required ancillary courses, necessary electives, seminars and project report/thesis.
- ENTRY REQUIREMENTS FOR EACH PROGRAMME
- POSTGRADUATE DIPLOMA (PGD)
- Holders of a 3.00 grade point average on a five point scale at the Higher National Diploma (HND) or its equivalent in Agriculture or related subjects suitable for extension work, obtained from a recognized institution. Applicants with years of experience in rural extension work will be given preference.
- Graduates of the University of Nigeria or other recognized Universities who desire knowledge in Agricultural Extension but do not meet the requirements for admission into the M.Sc. Programme in Agricultural Extension.
- DEGREE OF MASTERS (M.Sc.)
- Graduates of the University of Nigeria or other recognized Universities who have obtained the degree of Bachelors with at least 2nd Class Honours with a minimum of 2.50 cumulative grade point average (CGPA) on a 5-point scale or its equivalent in Agricultural Extension, related areas of agriculture or areas suitable for extension work may apply.
- Holders of a University 3rd Class Degree Honourswith at least a 3.50 GPA on a 5 –point scale at the Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) in Agriculture or other relevant areas obtained from the University of Nigeria or other recognized Universities.
- Holders of credit level pass at HND with at least a 3.00 GPA on a 5-point scale from recognized institutions plus a 3.50 GPA on a 5 –point scale at PGD in agriculture or other related areas obtained from this University or other recognized Universities.
- MASTERS’/Ph.D PROGRAMME
- A candidate with first class honours bachelor’s degree from a recognized University maybe admitted into a Master’s/ Ph.D programme.
- A candidate with a GPA of 3.00 on a 4-point scale or 4.00GPA on the 5-point scale and above in the Master’s degree in any area of agriculture from the University of Nigeria or other recognized Universities, who wishes to do a Ph.D in any area of agricultural extension maybe admitted into the Master’s /Ph.D programme.
- DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY (Ph.D.)
- Graduates of the University of Nigeria or of other recognized universities who have obtained the degree of Masters in Agricultural Extension with a minimum of 3.50 Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) on a 5-point scale (3.00 CGPA on a 4-point scale) provided that satisfactory research work formed part of the degree. Demonstrated evidence of completed academic research will be an advantage.
- Candidates with 1st Class Hounors Degree in Agricultural Extension from a recognized University or Masters Degree holders in related fields with not less than 3.5/5 CGPA may be admitted in the M.Sc./Ph.D. programme. At the end of the second semester of being on the programme the candidates may be considered for a firm registration for Ph.D. programme if the candidate makes a 3.5/5 GPA in the Master’s course work. (For other conditions for M.Sc./Ph.D. programmes please see postgraduate regulations from the School of Postgraduate Studies). Candidates who hold qualifications other than those listed for specific programmes above and are acceptable to Senate may be admitted into the particular programme.
- MODE OF STUDY FOR EACH PROGRAMME
- Postgraduate Diploma Programme:
The programme shall consists of course work to be examined in written papers, seminars or special topics together with research work to be presented in a project report. Candidates for the PGD will be required to take a total of 30 credit units.
- Masters Degree Programme:
The programme shall consists of course work to be examined in written papers, seminars or special topics together with research work to be presented in a project report, where course work predominates over research and constitutes not less than two- thirds of the total units. Candidates for the Masters programme will be required to take a total of 44 credit units, which will be composed of 34 units of core courses, 4 units of elective courses based on the candidate’s area of specialization, and 6 units of research work.
- Doctor of Philosophy Degree Programme
The programme shall consist of course work, seminars or special topics and Thesis. Every Ph.D. candidate will successfully present a minimum of two seminars one of which must be in his area of specialization before presenting his research proposal. These seminars will be assessed by the departmental postgraduate committee.
The Ph.D. degree programme is to be presented by comprehensive research to be embodied in a thesis. For a thesis to be approved for the degree of Ph.D, the candidate must display critical judgment and the thesis must contain materials publishable as a definite contribution to knowledge in Agricultural Extension. Candidates for the PhD will be required to take a minimum of 48 credit units, of which 12 units are for the thesis, 30 units for the Masters programme or courseworkand 6 units for the seminar.
- DURATION OF THE PROGRAMMES
- Postgraduate Diploma Programmes:
- Regular (full-time): A minimum of 2 semesters
A maximum of 4 semesters
- Part-time: A minimum of 2 semesters
A maximum of 4 semesters
- Duration of Master’s Degree Programmes:
- Full-time: A minimum of 4 semesters
A maximum of 8 semesters
- Part-time: A minimum of 6 semesters
A maximum of 10 semesters
- Duration of Masters/PhD programme
- Full-time: A minimum of 7 semesters
A maximum of 10 semesters
- Part-time: A minimum of 8 semesters
A maximum of 12 semesters
- Duration of Ph.D. Programme (after Master’s Degree):
- Full-time: A minimum of 6 semesters
A maximum of 10 semesters
- Part-time: A minimum of 8 semesters
A maximum of 14 semesters
- EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Products of the programme have job opportunities within Federal and State Ministries and Parastatals, such as Ministries of Agriculture, Rural Development, Information, Mass Mobilization for Social and Economic Reconstruction, National Directorate for Employment, Better Life for Rural Women, River Basin Authorities. They have opportunities to serve as staff and advisers to the agricultural units of banks and insurance companies; as academic and extension staff in institutions of higher learning and as development officers/advisers in multilateral and bilateral development and aid agencies.
Many job opportunities exist in private establishments as large scale farm, agro-chemical industries, agro-service centers, and adaptive research in research establishments.
- AREAS OF SPECIALIZATION (M. SC AND PH.D)
Postgraduate studies in the Department of Agricultural Extension may be pursued in the areas of:
- Agricultural Administration
- Agricultural Development Communication
- Agricultural Extension Education
- Agricultural Planning and Evaluation
- Rural Sociology
- STRESS AREAS
Courses in the programmes are grouped under the stress areas as follows:
Stress Areas | Stress Area No. |
Rural Sociology | 0 |
Agricultural Administration | 1 |
Agricultural Development Communication | 2 |
Principles of Rural Extension/ Education | 3 |
Planning and Evaluation of Extension Programmes | 4 |
Climate Change Innovation | 7 |
Research Methods and Statistics | 8 |
Project / Dissertation/ Thesis | 9
|
- LIST OF APPROVED SUPERVISORS
- C. Anyanwu Agricultural Development Communication
B.Sc., M.Sc. (Nig.), Ph.D (Iowa)
M.C.Madukwe . Agricultural Administration and Extension
B.Sc M.Sc., Ph.D. (Nig.)
E.M. Igbokwe Rural Sociology and Rural Development
B.Sc. M.Sc.,Ph.D. (Nig.)
A.E. Agwu Agric. Extension Development Communication
B.Agric.M.Sc. Ph.D. (Nig.)
E.A. Onwubuya Extension Education
B.Sc. M.Sc. (Nig) Ph.D. (ESUT)
M.U. Dimelu Agricultural Administration and Extension
B.Agric. M.Sc., Ph.D. (Nig.)
N.Ozor Agricultural Administration and Extension
B.Agric., M.Sc., Ph.D. (Nig.)
J.M. Chah Rural Sociology
HND, PGD., M.Sc., Ph.D. (Nig.)
I.A. Enwelu Rural Sociology
B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D. (Nig.)
J.C. Iwuchukwu Rural Sociology
B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D. (Nig.)
PROGRAMME STRUCTURE
Each student will be required to take the following courses:
Course No. Title Units |
(a) Masters Courses 30
(b) *Seminars
PGC 701 Synopsis and Grant Writing 3 AEX 809 Advanced Agricultural Sociology 2 AEX 819 Advanced Agricultural Administration 2 AEX 829 Advanced Agricultural Communication 2 AEX 839 Advanced Extension Education 2 AEX 849 Advanced Programme Planning and Evaluation 2 AEX 899 Thesis 12 |
Total 48/52 Units |
*Each student is expected to take two seminars from any of the above courses
PhD PROGRAMME COURSE DESCRIPTION
PGC 701 Synopsis and Grant Writing (3 Units)
Identification types and nature of grant and grant writing; mining of grants application calls on the internet. Determining appropriate strategy for each grant application. Study of various grant application structures and contents and writing of concept notes, detailed project description, budgeting and budget defense. Identification of University of Nigeria synopsis structure and requirements, (Introduction, Methodology and Results). Determining the content of each sub-unit of the synopsis. Steps in writing of synopsis from the Dissertation/thesis document. Structural and language issues. Common errors in synopsis writing and strategies for avoiding them. The roles of the student and the supervisor in the production of a synopsis. Writing of mock synopsis. All registered Ph.D students must attend a solution-based interactive workshop to be organized by the School of Postgraduate Studies for a practical demonstration and application of the knowledge acquired from the course, conducted by selected experts.
AEX 809 Advanced Agricultural Sociology (2 Units)
Advanced sociological theory; Analysis of rural social systems; Individual and his social environment; Group dynamics; Leadership patterns; Social change and community organization; Special topics in rural sociology; Concept of development in historical perspective.
AEX 819 Advanced Agricultural Administration (2 Units)
Theoretical concepts and empirical research relating to administrative behaviour in agricultural organization; Systems of innovation in agriculture; Problems of organizing, staffing, controlling and managing development and research projects.
AEX 829 Advanced Agricultural Communication (2 Units)
Communication process and environment; Skills in communication; Use of selected audio-visual aids; Theory and practice of agricultural writing; Planning, writing, editing and production of educational publication; Agricultural exhibit techniques and advertising.
AEX 839 Advanced Extension Education (2 Units)
Comparison of principles, concept and process of extension education, adult education, community development, rural development, and agricultural development; Learning situations in rural areas; Motivation and extension method
AEX 849 Advanced Programme Planning and Evaluation (2 Units)
Concepts in programme planning and evaluation as applied to Agricultural Extension; Steps in programme development; Obtaining staff and clientele commitment to action; Programme implementation and appraisal.
AEX 899 Thesis (12 Units)
Problem identification, research proposal, research finding, seminar, and oral defense (examination).
UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA, NSUKKA
Faculty of Agriculture
Department of Agricultural Extension
Revised Postgraduate Diploma Degree Programme in Agricultural Extension
OCTOBER 2014
POSTGRADUATE PROGRAMMES
The Nigerian agricultural extension service is witnessing a lot of rapid changes. There are rapid changes in the number of institutions promoting extension programmes. Farmer groups are becoming more sophisticated both in nature and in behaviour, and are increasing their demands on the extension service. Knowledge of suitable agricultural practices and the people’s culture is changing in content and direction. The need for extension teaching and farmer education in Nigeria remains almost constant and largely inadequate. These professionals need to develop their understanding of the role of extension in emerging areas of knowledge.
1 A.PHILOSOPHY
The founders of the University of Nigeria believed that there was need to train Nigerian youths locally, and in sufficient numbers, for the formidable task of disseminating useful and practical information from the research base to rural farm families’ for sustainable food production. Agricultural Extension is based on the philosophy that rural people are intelligent, capable and desirous of receiving information and making use of it for their individual and community welfare. It is purely voluntary and democratic in its approach to people. It is truly anchored on the principle of working with the rural farm families where they are, build on what they have, add to what they know and enable them to develop themselves. The underlying philosophy of the programme therefore, is to produce professionals who will be theoretically and practically knowledgeable in agricultural production and rural life.
- PROGRAMME OBJECTIVES
Participants in the programme will:
- Develop their understanding of:
- the nature of rural extension within agricultural programmes, and
- the processes of social and technical change in rural communities.
- Identify constraints to effective agricultural extension work in their own community or project, and explore ways of overcoming them.
- Improve their skills in:
- analyzing the social and economic context within which agricultural programmes takes place;
- specific aspects of extension methods;
- setting objectives for, and the planning and monitoring of extension programmes;
- management, supervision and monitoring of extension staff;
- selecting and using appropriate extension communication methods for the various stages of an extension programme, including the design of extension aids, and
- working collaboratively with various client groups to enable them to participate in agricultural programmes.
- SCOPE OF THE PROGRAMME
The postgraduate programme comprises the Postgraduate Diploma, Master and Doctorate degrees. At the Master and Doctorate degree levels, students are expected to take agricultural extension courses and specialize in any one of the following areas: agricultural administration, agricultural development communication, agricultural extension education, agricultural planning and evaluation and rural sociology. The requirements for the degree thus include the completion of the required ancillary courses, necessary electives, seminars and project report/thesis.
- ENTRY REQUIREMENTS FOR EACH PROGRAMME
- POSTGRADUATE DIPLOMA (PGD)
- Holders of a 3.00 grade point average on a five point scale at the Higher National Diploma (HND) or its equivalent in Agriculture or related subjects suitable for extension work, obtained from a recognized institution. Applicants with years of experience in rural extension work will be given preference.
- Graduates of the University of Nigeria or other recognized Universities who desire knowledge in Agricultural Extension but do not meet the requirements for admission into the M.Sc. Programme in Agricultural Extension.
- DEGREE OF MASTERS (M.Sc.)
- Graduates of the University of Nigeria or other recognized Universities who have obtained the degree of Bachelors with at least 2nd Class Honours with a minimum of 2.50 cumulative grade point average (CGPA) on a 5-point scale or its equivalent in Agricultural Extension, related areas of agriculture or areas suitable for extension work may apply.
- Holders of a University 3rd Class Degree Honours with at least a 3.50 GPA on a 5 –point scale at the Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) in Agriculture or other relevant areas obtained from the University of Nigeria or other recognized Universities.
- Holders of credit level pass at HND with at least a 3.00 GPA on a 5-point scale from recognized institutions plus a 3.50 GPA on a 5 –point scale at PGD in agriculture or other related areas obtained from this University or other recognized Universities.
- MASTERS’/Ph.D PROGRAMME
- A candidate with first class honours bachelor’s degree from a recognized University maybe admitted into a Master’s/ Ph.D programme.
- A candidate with a GPA of 3.00 on a 4-point scale or 4.00GPA on the 5-point scale and above in the Master’s degree in any area of agriculture from the University of Nigeria or other recognized Universities, who wishes to do a Ph.D in any area of agricultural extension maybe admitted into the Master’s /Ph.D programme.
- DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY (Ph.D.)
- Graduates of the University of Nigeria or of other recognized universities who have obtained the degree of Masters in Agricultural Extension with a minimum of 3.50 Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) on a 5-point scale (3.00 CGPA on a 4-point scale) provided that satisfactory research work formed part of the degree. Demonstrated evidence of completed academic research will be an advantage.
- Candidates with 1st Class Hounors Degree in Agricultural Extension from a recognized University or Masters Degree holders in related fields with not less than 3.5/5 CGPA may be admitted in the M.Sc./Ph.D. programme. At the end of the second semester of being on the programme the candidates may be considered for a firm registration for Ph.D. programme if the candidate makes a 3.5/5 GPA in the Master’s course work. (For other conditions for M.Sc./Ph.D. programmes please see postgraduate regulations from the School of Postgraduate Studies). Candidates who hold qualifications other than those listed for specific programmes above and are acceptable to Senate may be admitted into the particular programme.
- MODE OF STUDY FOR EACH PROGRAMME
- Postgraduate Diploma Programme:
The programme shall consists of course work to be examined in written papers, seminars or special topics together with research work to be presented in a project report. Candidates for the PGD will be required to take a total of 30 credit units.
- Masters Degree Programme:
The programme shall consists of course work to be examined in written papers, seminars or special topics together with research work to be presented in a project report, where course work predominates over research and constitutes not less than two- thirds of the total units. Candidates for the Masters programme will be required to take a total of 44 credit units, which will be composed of 34 units of core courses, 4 units of elective courses based on the candidate’s area of specialization, and 6 units of research work.
- Doctor of Philosophy Degree Programme
The programme shall consist of course work, seminars or special topics and Thesis. Every Ph.D. candidate will successfully present a minimum of two seminars one of which must be in his area of specialization before presenting his research proposal. These seminars will be assessed by the departmental postgraduate committee.
The Ph.D. degree programme is to be presented by comprehensive research to be embodied in a thesis. For a thesis to be approved for the degree of Ph.D, the candidate must display critical judgment and the thesis must contain materials publishable as a definite contribution to knowledge in Agricultural Extension. Candidates for the PhD will be required to take a minimum of 48 credit units, of which 12 units are for the thesis, 30 units for the Masters programme or courseworkand 6 units for the seminar.
- DURATION OF THE PROGRAMMES
- Postgraduate Diploma Programmes:
- Regular (full-time): A minimum of 2 semesters
A maximum of 4 semesters
- Part-time: A minimum of 2 semesters
A maximum of 4 semesters
- Duration of Master’s Degree Programmes:
- Full-time: A minimum of 4 semesters
A maximum of 8 semesters
- Part-time: A minimum of 6 semesters
A maximum of 10 semesters
- Duration of Masters/PhD programme
- Full-time: A minimum of 7 semesters
A maximum of 10 semesters
- Part-time: A minimum of 8 semesters
A maximum of 12 semesters
- Duration of Ph.D. Programme (after Master’s Degree):
- Full-time: A minimum of 6 semesters
A maximum of 10 semesters
- Part-time: A minimum of 8 semesters
A maximum of 14 semesters
- EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Products of the programme have job opportunities within Federal and State Ministries and Parastatals, such as Ministries of Agriculture, Rural Development, Information, Mass Mobilization for Social and Economic Reconstruction, National Directorate for Employment, Better Life for Rural Women, River Basin Authorities. They have opportunities to serve as staff and advisers to the agricultural units of banks and insurance companies; as academic and extension staff in institutions of higher learning and as development officers/advisers in multilateral and bilateral development and aid agencies.
Many job opportunities exist in private establishments as large scale farm, agro-chemical industries, agro-service centers, and adaptive research in research establishments.
- AREAS OF SPECIALIZATION (M. SC AND PH.D)
Postgraduate studies in the Department of Agricultural Extension may be pursued in the areas of:
- Agricultural Administration
- Agricultural Development Communication
- Agricultural Extension Education
- Agricultural Planning and Evaluation
- Rural Sociology
- STRESS AREAS
Courses in the programmes are grouped under the stress areas as follows:
Stress Areas | Stress Area No. |
Rural Sociology | 0 |
Agricultural Administration | 1 |
Agricultural Development Communication | 2 |
Principles of Rural Extension/ Education | 3 |
Planning and Evaluation of Extension Programmes | 4 |
Climate Change Innovation | 7 |
Research Methods and Statistics | 8 |
Project / Dissertation/ Thesis | 9
|
- LIST OF APPROVED SUPERVISORS
- C. Anyanwu Agricultural Development Communication
B.Sc., M.Sc. (Nig.), Ph.D (Iowa)
M.C. Madukwe . Agricultural Administration and Extension
B.Sc M.Sc., Ph.D. (Nig.)
E.M. Igbokwe Rural Sociology and Rural Development
B.Sc. M.Sc.,Ph.D. (Nig.)
A.E. Agwu Agric. Extension Development Communication
B.Agric.M.Sc. Ph.D. (Nig.)
E.A. Onwubuya Extension Education
B.Sc. M.Sc. (Nig) Ph.D. (ESUT)
M.U. Dimelu Agricultural Administration and Extension
B.Agric. M.Sc., Ph.D. (Nig.)
N.Ozor Agricultural Administration and Extension
B.Agric., M.Sc., Ph.D. (Nig.)
J.M. Chah Rural Sociology
HND, PGD., M.Sc., Ph.D. (Nig.)
I.A. Enwelu Rural Sociology
B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D. (Nig.)
J.C. Iwuchukwu Rural Sociology
B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D. (Nig.)
- POSTGRADUATE DIPLOMAPROGRAMME STRUCTURE
Each student will be required to take the following courses:
First Semester
Course No. Title Units |
AEX 0601 Rural Development Theory and Practice 2
AEX 0611 Organization and Management of Extension Services 2 AEX 0621 Communication and Diffusion Process 2 AEX 0631 Comparative Extension System 2 AEX 0633 Principles of Extension 2 AEX 0681 Statistics and Research Method in Extension 2 AEX 0683 Computer Application in Agriculture 2 AEX 0671 Introduction to Climate Change in Agricultural 2 Innovations |
Total 16 |
Second Semester Course No. Course title Units |
AEX 0602 Sociology of Agricultural Development 2
AEX 0612 Supervision and Personnel Management in Agricultural Extension 2 AEX 0632 Teaching Methods in Extension 2 AEX 0642 Planning and Evaluation of Extension Programmes 2 AEX 0682 Seminar 2 AEX 0692 Project 6 |
Total 16 |
Overall Total 32 |
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION (PGD)
AEX 0601 Rural Development Theory and Practice (2 Units)
Rural development principles and processes; Characteristics of rural communities; Special distribution of population; Approaches to rural development
AEX 0611 Organization and Management of Extension Services (2 Units)
Basic concepts in extension administration; Bureaucracy in extension; Coordination; Organization; Organization of extension services in Nigeria; Types of extension organizations; Functions of extension administrators; Principles of office management.
AEX 0621 Communication and Diffusion Process (2 Units)
Theory and principles of communication; Communication in extension; Characteristics/determinants of effective communication, Relationship between communication and diffusion; Characteristics of innovation; Innovation-decision processes; Innovation and adopter categories and characteristics.
AEX 0631 Comparative Extension System (2 Units)
Comparative study of extension methods; History, organization and administration of extension in Nigeria, one African country, USA, one European country and one Australian/Asian country.
AEX 0633 Principles of Extension (2 Units)
Agricultural Extension: meaning, objectives, principles, philosophy and history; Role and contribution of extension in national and economic development; concept of learning and training.
AEX 0671 Introduction to Climate Change in Agricultural Innovation(2 Units) Definition of climate change and agricultural innovation; Concept of agricultural innovation system; Identifying key actors in the climate change agricultural innovation systems; Linkage among actors in the climate change agricultural innovation system.
AEX 0681 Statistics and Research Methods in Extension (2 Units)
Meaning, scope and functions of extension research. Types and examples of researches in agricultural extension. Sampling techniques; Tools and methods of data collection; Basic statistical concepts and their application in extension; Techniques of data interpretation; Reporting research results.
AEX 0683 Computer Applications in Agriculture (2 Units)
Introduction to computer programmes relevant to agriculture; Application of computer to specific areas of agricultural extension.
AEX 0602 Sociology of Agricultural Development (2 Units)
Sociology/rural sociology as sciences, scope and importance of rural sociology; Role of rural sociologist; Basic sociological concepts applied to rural situation, structure of rural situations, structure of rural community; Basic social institutions, social organizations, ecological entities and collectivities (social structure).
AEX 0612 Supervision and Personnel Management in Agricultural Extension (2 Units)
Concept of supervision in agricultural extension; Concept and role of personnel management in extension; Functions and qualifications of extension personnel in Nigeria and other countries.
AEX 0632 Teaching Methods in Extension (2 Units)
The concept of teaching and extension teaching methods: classification, techniques and device; relative effectiveness of different methods. Audio-visual aid materials and their roles in extension teaching. Practical use of symbols and audio-visuals in extension teaching
AEX 0642 Planning and Evaluation of Extension Programmes (2 Units)
Planning: meaning, principles, basic assumptions and importance, process and problems. Evaluation: meaning, importance, need, kinds and levels of evaluation. Factors affecting extension programme planning and evaluation.
AEX 0682 Seminar (2 Units)
Students will be required to present a seminar paper on any major research problem in agriculture
AEX 0692 Project (6 Units)
Each PGD student will be required to submit a project report in any relevant area of agricultural extension.