2024-2025

Forest and Natural Resource Management, Master of Forestry

Forestry

College of the Environment, Forestry, and Natural Sciences

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.

  • 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:

    • All requirements for your specific academic plan(s). This may include a thesis.
    • All graduate work with a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0.
    • All work toward the master's degree must be completed within six consecutive years. The six years begins with the semester and year of admission to the program.

    Read the full policy here.

In addition to University Requirements:

  • Complete individual plan 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

  • Possess a comprehensive set of knowledge, competencies, and skills related to forest and natural resource management.
  • Apply ecological principles and processes focused on the interrelationships of organisms and the environment to real-world scenarios of forest and natural resource management.
  • Apply social science methods and theory to real-world scenarios of forest and natural resource management.
  • Examine and assess a range of techniques and strategies for forest and natural resource management in diverse environments encompassing elements such as study design and analysis, adaptation and resilience, and conservation to accomplish diverse ecological, economic, and social objectives. Effectively communicate complex scientific information to diverse audiences.  
  • Assess the environmental impacts of forestry and natural resource projects to assess and implement forest and natural resource management plans that will address factors such as land use, water resources, wildlife, disturbances, and climate change.

Graduate Admission Information

  • 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:

    • Transcripts.
    • Undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution with a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale ("A" = 4.0), or the equivalent.


    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.

Additional Admission Requirements

  • 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.

    • All applicants should contact and receive confirmation from a School of Forestry faculty member who will advise the applicant’s professional paper BEFORE APPLYING.
    • Letter(s) of Recommendation or Reference(s)
      • Contact information for three professional and/or academic references
        • Professors, supervisors, co-workers, research collaborators, or mentors
    • Personal Statement or Essay
      • A personal statement or essay that clearly states research interests.
    • Resume or Curriculum Vitae
Master's Requirements
  • Take the following 36 units:

  • Students enrolled in this plan may not enroll in or pursue the following due to the number of overlapping units:

Additional Information

  • 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.