Program Description
The Arid Land Studies and International Development (ALSID) program is developed individually according to the student’s interests and background. The program focus on arid and semi-arid lands and on international development issues is significant because the western Great Plains and the southwestern states in the U.S. share with one-third of the world’s land masses the need for appropriate management of water resources that are basic to maintain life and support the economic and social development of urban and rural communities.
The interdisciplinary program emphasizes advanced academic training and exposure to a range of interesting subjects. Students may pursue Track 1: Arid Land Studies or Track 2: International Development. The Arid Land track allows students to specialize a set of topics including Agricultural Science and Natural Resources, Physical Sciences, and Water Resources and Environmental Toxicology. Students who choose to pursue Track 2: International Development take courses emphasizing Agricultural and Applied Economics, Planning and Sustainable Development, and Politics and Public Administration. Note that some courses are not offered every semester or may require the consent of the instructor, have restricted enrollment or have other courses as prerequisites.
Among the few program restrictions are the requirements that a student must take 12 hours from each of the three areas defined for each track and that no more than 12 hours can be taken in any one area. Also, no more that 18 hours be taken within a single college, except Arts and Sciences. Most students pursue the 36-hour non-thesis plan, but the thesis option for 6 hours of credit may be appropriate when the student’s previous academic work seems to qualify him or her for research. The program will be integrated with the Peace Corps master’s international program that is expected to be offered at Texas Tech in the near future.