First and foremost, this is a distance delivered master's degree program which allows students to pursue graduate study without leaving home!

UAF's MA degree in Rural Development is designed to educate a new generation of leaders for rural Alaska, with a particular emphasis on management of programs and projects in a dynamic, cross-cultural environment. We welcome you to this exciting new program, and look forward to working with you to achieve your academic and professional goals.

The MA program in Rural Development has the following major objectives:

• Educate leaders with a broad understanding of interrelationships between rural communities and the dynamic global economy
• Offer a quality program of advanced study for place-committed students in rural Alaska, combining personal networking with cutting-edge distance course delivery.
• Build strong ties to employers and leaders in rural Alaska to support program relevance and student success
• Create an innovative model for circumpolar graduate study with a particular emphasis on international indigenous leadership development.

The MA program offers new opportunities for higher education in rural Alaska for the 21st century. In the 35 years since the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) was passed, expectations for managers and administrators in rural businesses and organizations have grown dramatically. Today Native corporations are found in the FORTUNE 500 and tribal contracting and compacting open up opportunities for sophisticated partnerships in private and public sectors.

By earning your MA degree in Rural Development, you are not only broadening your own horizons but also positioning yourself to take leadership roles in these settings, and to be role models for future generations of Alaska Native and rural leaders.

Interested in earning the M.A. in Rural Development in addition to your Peace Corps acceptance?  Check out the Peace Corps Master's International Program  
 

Students can include Peace Corps service in their M.A. Rural Development degree by applying for the M. A. Rural Development Master's International Peace Corps Option .