Academic Programs Catalog

The Master of Science degree in Forestry is designed for individuals pursuing a wide range of careers in academia, public agencies, non-government organizations, or the private sector. The master’s degree is available in two plans: research-intensive (Plan A) or professional (Plan B), with in-person and hybrid-online options for Plan B. The hybrid-online option is a professional degree oriented towards individuals with a bachelor’s degree in a field other than forestry who would like to pursue a career in forestry. The program is uniquely tailored to learners that need flexibility, with the majority of the courses delivered in an online format to accommodate students with existing personal and professional commitments. While the requirements for the hybrid-online option are the same as the in-person option, it follows a prescribed set of courses (see https://www.canr.msu.edu/for/graduate/Hybrid-Online-MS-Degree/hybrid-online-ms-requirements).

In addition to meeting the requirements of the university and of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, students must meet the requirements specified below.

Requirements for the Master of Science Degree in Forestry

The master’s degree program in forestry is available under either Plan A (with thesis) or Plan B (without thesis). A total of 30 credits is required for the degree under Plan A or Plan B. The student’s program of study must be approved by either their major professor or guidance committee.

Requirements for Plan A

1. Complete the following course (2 credits):
   FOR    802    Forest Science Research   2
2. Complete a program of study approved by the major professor and guidance committee to meet the student’s educational and career goals.
3. Complete at least 6 credits and no more than 10 credits in FOR 899 Master’s Thesis Research.
4. Pass an oral examination, including a public presentation, in defense of the thesis, administered by the student’s guidance committee. One re-examination may be scheduled at the discretion of the guidance committee. The final oral examination must be passed within five calendar years from the date of enrollment in the first course included for degree certification.

Requirements for Plan B

1. Complete a program of study approved by the major professor and guidance committee to meet the student’s educational and career goals.
2. Complete a non-thesis capstone project, practicum or other professional development experience of at least 1 credit and no more than 6 credits through enrollment in FOR 898 Master’s Professional Project. Upon completion of the project, a report must be completed and submitted to the student’s guidance committee.
3. Pass a final oral examination, including a public presentation, in defense of the professional project, administered by the student’s guidance committee. One re-examination may be scheduled at the discretion of the guidance committee. The final oral examination must be passed within five calendar years from the date of enrollment in the first course included for degree certification.

The Doctor of Philosophy degree in Forestry provides advanced education to prepare future scholars and leaders who advance knowledge about forested ecosystems and help resolve issues that challenge the provision of forest ecosystem services at local, regional and global scales. The program is research-intensive and students will produce original applied or fundamental research of quality comparable to a two to four peer-reviewed publications in a scientific journal.

In addition to meeting the requirements of the university and of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, students must meet the requirements specified below.

Requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Forestry

1. Complete the following course (2 credits):
   FOR    802    Forest Science Research    2
2. Complete a program of study approved by the major professor and guidance committee to meet the student’s educational and career goals.
3. Complete at least 24 credits and no more than 36 credits in FOR 999 Doctoral Dissertation Research.
4. No more than 1/4th of the program of study can be from transfer credits. Graduate credits may be transferred from other postsecondary accredited institutions of comparable academic quality if they are appropriate to a student’s program and were completed within the time limits approved for the earning of the degree at MSU.
5. Comprehensive examinations must be completed within five years from the time when a student begins the first class at MSU that appears on the student’s doctoral program of study.
6. Successfully pass the final oral examination in defense of the dissertation.

The Department of Forestry offers Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degree programs in plant breeding, genetics and biotechnology–forestry. Students meet the requirements for admission and the requirements for the degree as specified in the statement on Interdepartmental Graduate Programs in Plant Breeding, Genetics and Biotechnology.

Additional information about graduate study may be obtained by writing to the Department of Forestry.

The Graduate Certificate in Forest Carbon Science, Policy and Management provides students with interdisciplinary training necessary to plan, manage, monitor and evaluate climate change mitigation projects that seek to retain or sequester carbon in forest ecosystems. Students will gain specific expertise needed internationally to participate in market-based, climate change mitigation activities such as the United Nations Collaborative Programme on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+). The graduate certificate is available online only.

Admission

To be considered for admission into the Graduate Certificate in Forest Carbon Science, Policy and Management, applicants must have completed a bachelor’s degree in forestry, natural resources, environmental sciences, or a related field. For additional information, refer to the Admission section in the Graduate Education section of this catalog.

Requirements for the Graduate Certificate in Forest Carbon Science, Policy and Management

The Graduate Certificate in Spatial Ecology provides interdisciplinary training necessary to develop inference about ecological phenomena using appropriate spatial theory, statistics, modeling approaches, and data management tools. Students gain the necessary skills to address tomorrow’s complex ecological challenges.

The graduate certificate is available as an elective to students who are enrolled in master’s or doctoral degree programs at Michigan State University.

For more information including how to apply, see https://www.canr.msu.edu/spatial-ecology/.

Requirements for the Graduate Certificate in Spatial Ecology