Online

Earn your degree online without disrupting your life. Our online degrees provide you with the flexibility to stay in your community while earning your degree. You will get to customize and tailor your degree so that you can study what inspires you. This is not a one-size fits all approach to college - this is you taking control of your education. Rural Institute uses a groundbreaking bioregional approach to distance learning, in which students apply what they learn in each course to their local communities. Whether you are interested in researching regionally specific examples of sustainability, economic development, wilderness education, energy production, food systems, and social justice, counselling, or your desired area of study — you will develop skills in leadership, group organization, and conflict resolution. Complete your coursework at times that best fit your personal and professional life. Because class sizes are small, you will experience meaningful interactions with your classmates and individual attention from instructors. Our programs are structured enough to give you support while allowing you to take charge of your education and build a program that inspires you and will take you where you want to go, so you will have the tools you need to get the career you want.

The mandatory orientation is entirely online in an interactive webinar format of no more than two hours. We also offer an optional second session for follow up questions.

• During the webinar you will be able to connect faces to the names you have heard mentioned and the various teams that are here to support your learning adventure.
• A tour of the various web-based resources that you can use throughout your career as a Rural Institute graduate student.
• A second (optional) webinar to answer any questions you may have.

An optional annual residency will provide opportunities for cohort-building, field-of-study activities with guest scholars and faculty. Students who have attended residencies find them to be among the most valued part of the program, during which they spend time with leaders in their field, faculty, and fellow students who share their passion.