This non-thesis plan prepares you for a career in forest management, in contrast to a career in research. It is appropriate if you desire advanced training in forestry, but not a research focus.
Are you happiest when you’re outdoors? Would you like to protect the environment for future generations? Northern Arizona University can help. By pursuing an MF in Forestry, you will become steeped in forest ecosystems and their management, and will emerge a competent professional forester and land steward.
Here, you will prepare for a career as a multi-resource forest manager. This degree is for you if you desire advanced training in Forestry, but don’t want to focus on research. You will have the freedom to select courses tailored to your personal interests, in addition to core courses. You will also work extensively to hone your written and oral communication skills, so that you can advance in today’s ever-changing job market.
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 | 33 |
| Additional Admission Requirements | Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required. |
| Comprehensive Exam | Comprehensive Exam is required. |
| Progression Plan Link | View Program of Study |
| Accelerated Undergraduate/Graduate Plan | Optional |
Purpose Statement
The Master of Forestry (MF) is a course-work-based non-thesis degree intended for students pursuing professional careers in the management of forest resources for public, private, and non-profit sectors. The degree prepares students for positions in governmental or non-governmental agencies such as forest manager, policy analyst, silviculturist, or wildlife manager. This degree is for you if you desire advanced training in Forestry with a focus on forest management and policy instead of original scholarly research.
The MF is appropriate for students with a Bachelor’s degree in Forestry or closely related disciplines. The MF is integral to the School of Forestry’s Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s Program that facilitates completion of both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in five years. The degree is also suitable for students with Bachelor’s degrees outside Forestry who seek training to facilitate a career change to Forestry. In addition, the MF is part of the Western Regional Graduate Program that provides reduced tuition for students who are residents of other participating western U.S. states.
The MF emphasizes core training in forest management, ecosystem, and forest social sciences; professional presentations; emerging issues in forestry; electives that provide advanced training in specific skills; and a capstone professional paper that showcases student skills in research/knowledge synthesis and understanding, professional writing, and professional ethnics.
Student Learning Outcomes
Through our non-thesis degree, based primarily on coursework and a project designed with the guidance of your advisor to address a challenge or problem in forestry, our students graduate with the following competencies:
Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.
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 Graduate College.
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.
This Master’s degree requires 33 units distributed as follows:
Take the following 33 units, as well as any required remedial coursework, chosen with guidance from your faculty advisor. Please note that of these 33 units, at least 17 must be in FOR courses.
Core Courses: (8-9 units)
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.
This program is available as an Accelerated Undergraduate/Graduate Plan wherein a student may start a master's degree while simultaneously completing their bachelor's degree.