Integrated Resource Management (IRM) 
Master of Agriculture
The Master of Agriculture Integrated Resource Management (IRM) degree is conducted by the Western Center for Integrated Resource Management (WCIRM). This is a unique interdisciplinary degree supported by CSU faculty from the College of Agricultural Sciences, Warner College of Natural Resources, and the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences.
Why is integrated resource management necessary?
- 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.
- Society demands preservation of open space.
- Outdoor recreation is a societal requirement in 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.
- Absentee land owners and conservation trusts are acquiring large parcels of land and require skilled land resource managers.
- Because of economic conditions affecting American agriculture, it is a time of unprecedented educational opportunity.
Program Curriculum
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, students are expected to participate in a minimum of one, preferably two, internships.
- AGRI 630 – Integrated Decision Making and Management Skills (3 cr.)
- AGRI 631 – Building the Business (3 cr.)
- AGRI 632 – Understanding and Managing the Land (3 cr.)
- AGRI 633 – Understanding and Managing the Animal Resource (3 cr.)
- AGRI 634 – Animal Production Systems (3 cr.)
- AGRI 635 – Integrated Grazing Management (3 cr.)
- AGRI 636 – Analyzing and Managing the Business (3 cr.)
- AGRI 637 – Understanding Policy and Emerging Issues (3 cr.)
- AGRI 638 – Monitoring for Success (3 cr.)
- AGRI 639 – Products to Profit (3 cr.)
- AGRI 640 – The Integrated Resource Management Plan (3 cr.)
No thesis is required as part of this degree program.
Application and Admission Requirements
This program follows the general admission or Track II admission requirements and procedures.
More Information
About admission, curriculum, or advising:
Dr. Kraig Peel, Advisor
(970) 491-6928
kraig.peel@colostate.edu
About distance education and registration:
Gayle Roslund
(970) 491-2570
groslund@learn.colostate.edu
Degree at a Glance
Delivery
Online. On-campus attendance is not required to complete this program.
Total Credits
Minimum of 33 credits.
Tuition
$429 per credit
Time Frame
Program has a tentative time frame of two years.
Benefits
Hands-on program provides valuable interaction between faculty and students and is directly applicable to real-life land management scenarios. Program can be completed with no career interruption.
Designed For
Prospective and current land managers such as ranch managers, wildlife and forest managers, extension agents, employees of government agencies, and recent graduates of undergraduate programs.