This degree will prepare professionals trained for managing wildfires, working with organizations ranging from municipal to state, federal, and international. Many people working in fire sciences have some level of college training but lack the specialized courses and BS degree required for supervisory or career positions. Wildfires are rapidly increasing in importance as a major disruptor of lives, infrastructure, and ecosystems across the American West. Climate warming and accumulated fuels contribute to making wildfire a dominant and unavoidable disturbance throughout this century.
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 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 bachelor's degree at Northern Arizona University, you must complete at least 120 units of credit that minimally includes a major, the liberal studies requirements, and university requirements as listed below.
The full policy can be viewed here.
In addition to University Requirements:
Students may be able to use some courses to meet more than one requirement. Contact your advisor for details.
| Minimum Units for Completion | 120 |
| Major GPA | C |
| Highest Mathematics Required | MAT 125 |
| Fieldwork Experience/Internship | Required |
| University Honors Program | Optional |
| Some online/blended coursework | Required |
| Progression Plan Link | Not Available |
Purpose Statement
This degree will prepare professionals trained for managing wildfires, working with organizations ranging from municipal to state, federal, and international. Many people working in fire sciences have some level of college training but lack the specialized courses and BS degree required for supervisory or career positions. Wildfires are rapidly increasing in importance as a major disruptor of lives, infrastructure, and ecosystems across the American West. Climate warming and accumulated fuels contribute to making wildfire a dominant and unavoidable disturbance throughout this century.
Student Learning Outcomes
This major requires 103 units distributed as follows:
Take the following 103 units:
Preprofessional Requirements (26 units)
Professional Requirements (77 units)
Additional coursework is required if, after you have met the previously described requirements, you have not yet completed a total of 120 units of credit.
You may take these remaining courses from any of the academic areas, using these courses to pursue your specific interests and goals. You may also use prerequisites or transfer credits as electives if they weren't used to meet major, minor, or liberal studies requirements.
We encourage you to consult with your advisor to select the courses that will be most advantageous to you.
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.