This online graduate degree is designed to provide a breadth of knowledge in the stewardship of forests and natural resources related to land management, conservation, and ecological restoration. Natural Resource Management is the science and practice of managing and restoring forests and other natural resources for human and environmental benefits.
Currently, about half of employees managing federal and tribal forests are older than 50 years of age. There is sufficient demand for the proposed program detailed in the Workforce and Market Analysis, February 24, 2021.
According to the recent job postings on ZipRecruiter, the job market in both Flagstaff, Arizona and the surrounding area is very active for consulting foresters, forest management professionals, and environmental biologists. Currently, 11 institutions in the nation offer online or hybrid Master of Forestry or related master’s degree programs. The proposed program could be the only one of its kind in the western United States.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the employment of conservation scientists and foresters is projected to grow by 5 percent from 2019 to 2029, faster than the average for all occupations. The increasing need for wildfire prevention and suppression services will help drive demand for conservation scientists and foresters. The median wage in 2019 for conservation scientists and foresters was $62,410 per year. In the same year, the median annual wage of the first-line supervisors/managers of farming, fishing, and forestry workers was $62,080. By comparison, the average starting salary for all graduates with a bachelor’s degree in 2019 was $53,889, according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) salary survey.
To receive a master’s degree at Northern Arizona University, you must complete a planned group of courses from one or more subject areas, consisting of at least 30 units of graduate-level courses. Many master’s degree programs require more than 30 units.
You must additionally complete:
Read the full policy here.
In addition to University Requirements:
| Minimum Units for Completion | 36 |
| Some online/blended coursework | Required |
| Progression Plan Link | View Program of Study |
Purpose Statement
This online graduate degree is designed to provide a breadth of knowledge in the stewardship of forests and natural resources related to land management, conservation, and ecological restoration. Natural Resource Management is the science and practice of managing and restoring forests and other natural resources for human and environmental benefits.
The content of the curriculum relies on 36 hours of specialized courses. The courses cover a range of technical, natural science, and social science fields. The skills gained by students in these graduate-level courses include practical knowledge and management techniques related to fire ecology, communities and fire, forest ecology, policy, GIS, international forestry, economics, Traditional Ecological Knowledge, and wildlife. This online degree is designed to provide a breadth of knowledge in managing forests and natural resources and to prepare students for careers in land management, conservation, and ecological restoration.
Natural resource managers are practitioners in the field of forestry and other natural resources and play important roles in land management, conservation, and ecological restoration. The program will provide updated, graduate-level, practical training for working professionals and other non-traditional students to advance their careers and improve sustainable forest and natural resources management. The proposed program services NAU’s Strategic Goals in multiple ways, by improving educational access to those from under-represented populations. The program will provide service to those place-bound who otherwise cannot participate in in-person education, particularly those located in Native Nations or serving in the military. Career goals for most of the expected student population include employment with governmental, non-governmental, and private organizations involved with natural resources and land management.
Student Learning Outcomes
The NAU graduate online application is required for all programs. Admission to many graduate programs is on a competitive basis, and programs may have higher standards than those established by the Office of Graduate and Professional Studies.
Admission requirements include the following:
Visit the NAU Graduate Admissions website for additional information about graduate school application deadlines, eligibility for study, and admissions policies.
Ready to apply? Begin your application now.
International applicants have additional admission requirements. Please see the International Graduate Admissions Policy.
For those applying for fall 2025 and beyond, the following will be required:
Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.
Students enrolled in this plan may not enroll in or pursue the following due to the number of overlapping units:
If you have completed the Natural Resource Management graduate certificate prior to enrolling in this plan, the certificate coursework may be applied to this plan.
Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also successfully complete. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.