Forestry, Master of Science in Forestry

In addition to University Requirements:

• Complete individual plan requirements.

Minimum Units for Completion	32
Additional Admission Requirements	Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.
Emphasis or Coursework Required	An emphasis or coursework is required for this degree.
Thesis	Thesis is required.
Oral Defense	Oral Defense is required.
Research	Individualized research is required.
Progression Plan Link	View Program of Study

Purpose Statement

The Master of Science in Forestry (MSF) degree is intended for students wanting to pursue a research- and thesis-based Master’s degree that provides direct experience with original scientific research aimed at advancing scientific understanding of forest ecosystems and their management. The intensive research core of the MSF prepares students for doctoral programs in Forestry and related disciplines, and for careers that require experience and skills in planning, executing, and interpretation of original research in Forestry. These careers include positions such as research assistant/technician, forester, wildlife biologist, policy analyst, and forest health specialist. The MSF is appropriate for students with a Bachelor’s degree in Forestry or closely related disciplines.
 
The MSF emphasizes training in research methods and statistics; original research development and implementation; quantitative analysis; professional presentations; emerging issues in forestry; electives that provide advanced training in specific skills; and a final thesis that showcases the student’s skills in original research, quantitative analysis and interpretation, and writing.

Emphasis in Ecology, Evolution & Conservation Biology (EECB)

The MSF includes an optional multi-disciplinary emphasis in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology (EECB).  The EECB emphasis provides a structured curriculum for students wanting to focus on ecology and conservation biology within the context of forest science.  The course requirements of the EECB are designed to be taken as elective hours within the MSF degree.

Student Learning Outcomes

Core Forestry Outcomes

• Demonstrate the ability to apply graduate level critical thinking skills to identify, explain, synthesize and solve complex professional forestry problems through acquisition and application of fundamental knowledge of forest ecosystems and human management of forests.
• Select, implement and interpret appropriate methods and statistical analyses for a research project.
• Apply an understanding of professional ethics to forest research and professional activities.
• Design a forestry research study including planning, organizing, scheduling and executing the project, with guidance.
• Effective written communication about forestry research.
• Effective communication about forestry research in oral and poster presentations.

• Demonstrate the ability to synthesize and discuss the history and conceptual and theoretical foundations of ecology.
• Demonstrate the ability to discuss current and emerging topics in ecology, evolution, and conservation biology, and ability to discuss these topics with peers and experts including two of three listed below:
  • Demonstrate the ability to use quantitative research approaches in ecology, evolution, and conservation biology.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of ecology, evolution, and conservation biology at physiological, population, and community scales.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of ecology, evolution, and conservation biology at ecosystem and global scales.

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

• 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.

• • Prerequisite(s) that may be completed concurrently with the program:

• • • 15 hours of Forestry coursework

• • Resume or Curriculum Vitae

• For those applying for fall 2025 and beyond, the following will also be required:

• • 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.

Master's Requirements

• This Master’s degree requires 32 units distributed as follows:

  • Forestry Common Requirements: 12 units
  • Elective Coursework or Emphasis with Elective Coursework: 12 units
    • Elective Coursework: 12 units
    • Emphasis with Elective Coursework: 12 units
      • Ecology, Evolution and Conservation Biology Emphasis: 10 units
      • Elective Coursework: 2 units
  • Thesis: 8 units

  
  Take the following 32 units, as well as any required remedial coursework:

• Of the following course requirements, 17 units must be in FOR courses
  
  Forestry Common Requirements (12 units)

  • FOR 505, FOR 690, FOR 692 (6 units)
  • Select from the following (6 units):
    • CCJ 614
    • SOC 655
    • STA 570, STA 571, STA 572, STA 574, STA 676
    • Other graduate-level course with significant content in statistics.

• Elective Coursework or Emphasis with Elective Coursework - Select one (12 units)

• • Elective Coursework (12 units)

    • Select electives in consultation with your major professor and thesis committee including at least 6 units of formal graded coursework. (12 units)

• • Ecology, Evolution & Conservation Biology Emphasis with Elective Coursework (12 units):

• • • Ecology, Evolution & Conservation Biology Emphasis (10 units):

      • BIO 577 or ENV 577 or FOR 577 (3 units)
      • Select from the following (1 unit):
        • BIO 698
        • FOR 505
      • Breadth Courses - Select one course from each of two of the following groups (6 units):
        • Quantitative:
          • BIO 523, BIO 580, BIO 676
          • EES 529 or GSP 529
          • FOR 606
          • Other graduate-level coursework in quantitative ecology at NAU, guided and approved by advisor input. 
        • Physiological/Population/Community:
          • BIO 570, BIO 571, BIO 573, BIO 663, BIO 673
          • ENV 540
          • FOR 504, FOR 517, FOR 520, FOR 543, FOR 545, FOR 550, FOR 551, FOR 552, FOR 553, FOR 560, FOR 580, FOR 582, FOR 604
          • Other graduate-level coursework in physiological, population, or community ecology at NAU, guided and approved by advisor input. 
        • Ecosystem/Global:
          • BIO 507 or FOR 507
          • BIO 578
          • ENV 571
          • FOR 515, FOR 544
          • Other graduate-level coursework in ecosystem/global ecology at NAU, guided and approved by advisor input.

• • • Elective Coursework (2 units)
      • Select electives in consultation with your major professor and thesis committee. (2 units)

• Thesis (8 units)
  • FOR 699, for the research, writing, and oral defense of an approved thesis. Please note that you may end up taking more than the 8 units of thesis credit you can count toward your degree because you must enroll for it each term while you are working on your thesis. (8 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.

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