Integrated Resource Management (IRM)

Degree Overview

Integrated Resources Management (IRM) is the concept within agricultural production that addresses economic and environmental variables that are oriented toward a more sustainable production. Changes in rural America require agricultural managers to manage land, animal, human, and natural resources, ensuring both long term profitability and sustainability of farms, ranches, and rural communities.

At the same time, society demands preservation of open space and outdoor recreation as a requirement in both urban and rural areas. Preservation and sustainability of agricultural land is vital for food security, wildlife habitat, outdoor recreation, and continuing the rural heritage of families and communities. The Master of Agriculture degree will give you the knowledge and skills necessary to operate an agricultural business efficiently and sustainably while making a profit.

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Integrated Resource Management - An Online Master's Degree (2:18)

Learn about our online Master of Agriculture in Integrated Resource Management, which addresses agriculture in the context of today’s realities and needs. [Transcript]

All courses combine the same rigorous training as campus courses with directed hands-on, problem-solving experiences. The IRM online degree stresses interaction between faculty and students and assures that the content studied applies to real-life land management scenarios. In addition to formal course work, you are expected to participate in a minimum of one, preferably two, internships. This degree is conducted by the Western Center for Integrated Resource Management (WCIRM)and is supported by three colleges at Colorado State University including:

• College of Agricultural Sciences
• Warner College of Natural Resources
• College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences

Other than Colorado State University, there are not many universities that have the knowledge base to offer this degree. Because of this fact, even fewer programs are available online, which gives you a great way to differentiate yourself from others in your industry.

This online graduate program allows you to earn your degree while keeping our job, staying in your hometown, and managing your family responsibilities. Another great benefit of this degree is that you do not have to write a thesis, which allows you to focus more on gaining knowledge from the course work, professors, and your internship.

Degree Benefits

By completing this flexible online graduate degree, you will be closer to achieving your future goals without having to sacrifice your current responsibilities and commitments. There are many benefits to completing this online degree program:

• Fit your classes around your needs and your schedule with the flexibility of online learning, and choose the order that your courses are taken because there is no set sequence to complete the degree.
• This degree can be completed with no career interruption.
• Interact and network with others in your industry across the nation.
• The hands-on program provides valuable interaction between faculty and students and is directly applicable to real-life land management scenarios.

Some of the benefits of earning this degree from Colorado State University include:

• Learn from the highly qualified Colorado State University faculty that are content experts in their fields.
• Earn an official CSU graduate degree, not an online degree. Your CSU diploma will not display that your degree was online or distance, it will be the same diploma that an on-campus student receives.
• Learn anywhere and anytime and still receive many of the benefits of being a CSU student.
• Attend the graduation ceremony in person and participate in the on-campus graduation ceremony. You can also view a live online streaming video of the graduation ceremony.