MSc in Rural Development Engineering

1. Name of master's program: Rural Development Engineering

2. Level of qualification obtainable in the master's program and designation of professional qualification on the diploma

• level of qualification: master's degree (magister, master; abbreviated: MSc)
• qualification: Rural Development Engineer

3. Field of study: Agriculture

4. Accepted as prerequisite for admission to master's program

4.1. Full credit value can be considered: bachelor’s programmes in rural development agricultural engineering, agricultural engineering, economic and rural development agricultural engineering, IT and specialist administrative agricultural engineering.

4.2. By completing the credits specified in Section 9.3, the following can primarily be taken into consideration: other bachelor’s degree programmes within the field of agricultural education, as well as bachelor’s degree programmes in the fields of economics, natural sciences, and social sciences.

4.3. In addition to this, upon completion of the credits specified in Section 9.3, those bachelor’s and master’s degree programmes, as well as programmes defined under Act LXXX of 1993 on Higher Education, may also be taken into consideration which are accepted by the higher education institution’s credit transfer committee on the basis of a comparison of the knowledge serving as the basis for credit recognition.

5. The duration of the program in semesters: 4 semesters

6. Number of credits required to obtain a master's degree: 120 credits

• Orientation of the program: balanced (40-60 percent)
• Credit value assigned to the thesis: 30 credits
• Minimum credit value for continuous practical work placements outside the institution: 7 credits
• Minimum credit value for optional subjects: 6 credits

7. Classification of fields of study according to the uniform classification system for vocational training areas: 621/0811

8. The aim of the training and professional competences of the master’s degree

The aim of the programme is to educate rural development agricultural engineers who, drawing on the knowledge they have acquired, are capable of overseeing production, distribution and regulatory processes that ensure the optimal use of resources, as well as organisational and management processes related to production and services. Graduates possess an in-depth understanding of the specific characteristics of European and Hungarian rural and regional development, including the role of agriculture in sustaining and developing rural areas, and of the factors underlying these characteristics. They are qualified to perform planning and development engineering, research, and managerial roles, and are prepared to continue their studies in doctoral programmes.

8.1. Professional competencies to be acquired

8.1.1. The rural development engineer’s

a) knowledge

• Has knowledge of the key interrelationships, theories, and conceptual frameworks of natural and economic sciences related to rural development.
• Knows and understands the processes taking place within the field (including the biological, technical, logistical, commercial, food chain safety, legal and social dimensions of agricultural production) and the interconnections among them.
• Has in-depth knowledge of the specific characteristics of the functioning of rural and regional development, including the role of agriculture in sustaining and developing rural areas, as well as the underlying causes of these characteristics.
• Understands the relationship between human well-being and the agricultural sector, the cultural dimensions of agriculture, its cross-cultural role, and the traditions of rural sociology.
• Has detailed knowledge of the information technology and programming tools and methods used in rural development practice and is familiar with their legal regulation.
• Possesses thorough knowledge—at both national and international levels—of the planning, implementation and execution methods, rules and specific characteristics of activities in the field of rural development, with particular regard to agricultural information channels.
• Understands the relationship between the rural economy, society and the agricultural sector, the social necessity of community development, and the related environmental policy contexts.
• Possesses modern general management theory and applied psychology knowledge applicable to the field of rural development and the agricultural economy as a whole.
• Is familiar with the legal framework of rural development, the different levels of management functions, evaluation methods, and conflict management techniques.
• Understands the characteristics of teamwork and project work, possesses leadership skills, rural development programme management techniques, and settlement development methods.
• Is aware of the factors limiting the efficiency of economic systems in rural development and closely related fields (natural sciences, economics, and law). 
• Understands the environmental and nature conservation aspects of rural development.
• Is familiar with the strategic role of research, development and innovation (RDI) in the agricultural economy.
• Has insight into the interrelations between European Union, policy-level and corporate-level RDI activities, as well as existing operational and economic interactions.
• Understands the specific research methods of rural development, abstraction techniques, approaches to translating theoretical issues into practice, and relevant logistical directions.
• Is familiar with the methods and tools of professional and effective oral, written and digital communication used when interacting with producers and stakeholders in the rural economy.
• Is knowledgeable about modern management and organisational governance approaches aimed at enhancing organisational efficiency and promoting healthy workplaces.
• Understands the determinants of health and the impacts of social and economic processes on health.

b) competencies

• Is able to navigate and formulate professionally grounded opinions on domestic and international economic policy and social events related to the agricultural and rural economy.
• Is capable of developing an independent position and defending it in debate on general social, agricultural economic, and field-specific professional issues.
• Is able to follow and critically analyse the key domestic and international literature of spatial and regional economics.
• Is capable of synthesising professional knowledge.
• Is able to independently interpret and apply legislation relevant to their professional activities.
• Is capable of defining, planning and organising the activity system of rural development, ensuring the conditions required for the execution of designated managerial tasks, and providing continuous professional management and supervision of implementation.
• Is able to perform the various functions of leadership in practice, motivate subordinates, evaluate their performance, and manage emerging conflicts in a lawful and effective manner.
• Is capable of establishing and managing teams or projects.
• Is able to conduct detailed analyses of the various domains constituting the knowledge system of spatial economics and to identify comprehensive and specific interrelationships.
• Is capable of formulating and evaluating analyses of the agricultural and rural economy in a cross-sectoral, interconnected and complex manner.
• Is able to communicate professionally in their field, both orally and in writing, in Hungarian and in a foreign language, and to participate in professional debates.
• Is capable of using modern information technology tools and engaging in professional and effective oral and written communication.
• Is able to prioritise environmentally friendly solutions that support the health of individuals and society in the course of engineering work.

c) attitudes

• Is aware of and committed to the general and specific relationships and professional identity that define the distinctive character, as well as the personal and community role, of spatial and regional economics.
• Is open and receptive to learning about and applying modern and innovative methods in practice, as well as to paradigm shifts in spatial economics.
• Is committed to environmental protection, nature conservation, human health, and sustainable rural economies.
• Is receptive to the application of effective rural development methods and tools.
• Approaches the understanding and credible communication of the comprehensive and specific problem areas of rural development with a cooperative attitude.
• Is open to adhering to the ethical rules and normative standards of scientific research.
• Is open to differing professional opinions when they are adequately supported by professional arguments.
• Is receptive to effective self-directed learning that supports and underpins professional practice.

d) autonomy and responsibility

• Demonstrates a high degree of autonomy in addressing both comprehensive and specialised rural development issues and in representing perspectives of spatial and regional economics.
• Takes responsibility for professional and managerial decisions.
• Reflects on and advocates for ethical considerations related to the rural economy.
• Feels responsible for the evolving role of agricultural production in rural areas.
• Based on practical experience, independently makes decisions regarding the implementation methods and scheduling of specific planning workflows.
• Is capable of independently planning and managing agricultural and farm management processes.

9. Characteristics of the master’s training

9.1. Professional characteristics

The disciplines and fields of study that make up the program and lead to professional qualification:

The economic, social, economic policy and rural development knowledge required for the development of rural development strategic processes, for understanding their macroeconomic context and international embeddedness, and for their further development amounts to 60–75 credits, of which

• Analytical-methodological and managerial accounting knowledge: 5–10 credits
• Rural sociology and human resource economics knowledge: 5–10 credits
• Economic and legal knowledge: 4–5 credits
• Agricultural, rural, and environmental policy knowledge: 5–10 credits
• Settlement development and project management knowledge: 5–7 credits
• Commercial and logistics knowledge: 4–5 credits
• Integrated regional development, rural development, and rural economy knowledge: 5–10 credits
• Agricultural production, farm management, and agricultural economics knowledge: 5–10 credits
• Regional planning and programming knowledge: 5–7 credits

Elective courses related to rural development, which facilitate understanding and practical application of the interconnections between rural development, agriculture, and society, and their integration into strategic planning, account for 15–25 credits, of which

• Knowledge of agricultural policy programme analysis: 2–5 credits
• Knowledge of alternative (non-food) farming and food chain safety: 2–5 credits
• Knowledge of local economic and enterprise development: 3–5 credits
• Knowledge of agricultural markets and economics: 3–5 credits
• Knowledge of community development, social and human studies: 2–3 credits
• Knowledge of vertical and horizontal coordination: 2–3 credits
• Knowledge of rural security: 2–3 credits

9.2. The requirements of the professional practice

The professional internship is a practical training of at least six weeks’ duration, as specified in the curriculum of the programme.

9.3. Minimum requirements for admission to the master's degree program for holders of the certificate specified in section 4.2. and 4.3.

The minimum number of credits required from previous studies to enter a master’s programme different from the bachelor’s programme is at least 84 credits, distributed across the following areas: natural sciences, agricultural sciences, economics, rural development, social sciences, and professional administration, as follows:

• Natural science and agricultural knowledge: at least 5 credits, or
• Economic and social science knowledge: at least 5 credits.

The requirement for admission to the master’s programme is that the student has at least 60 credits from previous studies. Any missing credits must be obtained in accordance with the regulations set out in the higher education institution’s study and examination rules.