The main objective of CATIE's Doctoral Program is to offer opportunities for academic training and scientific research for development to qualified professionals, to obtain the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.). The commitment is to offer a program with the highest international standards, at the same level as the best universities in the world. The CATIE doctorate has a minimum duration of three years, with full-time dedication, which could be extended –if necessary– to a fourth year.
The program is accredited by the Costa Rican National Higher Education Accreditation System (SINAES), an entity in charge of promoting the permanent improvement of the quality of Costa Rican higher education, which is a full member of the Ibero-American Network for the Accreditation of the Quality of Higher Education (RIACES) and part of the International Network of Agencies for Assurance of the Quality of Higher Education (INQAAHE), among other international accrediting agencies.
Accreditation is a legitimation of our educational quality before society and the international academic community and evidence of our academic standards, as well as the quality and rigor of the training received at our university.
Options for doctoral studies at CATIE
- Joint doctoral program with the University of Bangor, United Kingdom (in English)
- Joint doctoral program with the University of Idaho, United States (in English)
- CATIE doctoral program, with cooperating universities in the United States and Europe (in English)
- CATIE doctoral program, with cooperating universities, mainly from Latin America or Spain (in Spanish)
In the first two options, the "Doctor of Philosophy" degree is awarded jointly with the respective partner university, while in the third and fourth options the degree is issued by CATIE. The CATIE doctorate (in Spanish or English), as well as the joint doctorates, have a minimum duration of three full-time years and could be extended –if necessary– to a fourth year part-time or full-time. The study plan is individual for each applicant.
The thematic areas of emphasis of the doctorates are:
- Agroforestry and sustainable agriculture
- Management and comprehensive management of hydrographic basins and water resources
- Economy, development and climate change
- Management and conservation of tropical forests and biodiversity
- Ecosystem services of forest, agroforestry and agricultural systems
- Socioeconomic and political analysis of natural resources and agricultural production systems
- Governance and livelihood approaches to natural resource management
Admission
Applicants must have a master's degree in agriculture, natural resources, or other related areas. In addition, they must have obtained a minimum score of 79 points on the TOEFL iBT (if English is not the applicant's native language). The doctorate in Spanish only requires a score of at least 20 points on the TOEFL iBT, in reading comprehension.
Candidates must fill out and submit the complete online application form, along with all the documents indicated therein. The reception period remains open all year round and since the study plan is individual, the student can be admitted and enter the doctoral program at any time of the year (beginning of quarter I, II, III or IV).
How to apply?
It is essential to complete the application for admission and attach all the documents indicated. Admission applications for the doctorate in Spanish and English are available here: