CEFNS School of Forestry
Virtual Visit Request info Apply
MENUMENU
  • About
    • School of Forestry
    • Research labs
    • Faculty directory
    • Graduate assistantships
    • Youth forestry programs
    • FGSA seminar series
  • Degrees and programs
    • Bachelor of Science in Forestry
    • Master of Forestry
    • Master of Science in Forestry
    • Bachelor’s to Master’s Program
    • PhD in Forest Science
    • Certificates
  • Resources
    • Advising
    • Clubs & organizations
    • International opportunities
    • Internal resources
  • Give
  • NAU
  • CEFNS
  • Forestry
  • Master of Science
Application deadlines: Fall admissions: February 15 (priority) or August 15 (space available basis). Spring admissions: October 15 (priority) or December 31 (space available basis). GRE test scores are not required for entry into the program. For more information on the degree, please see the School of Forestry Graduate Handbook.


Forestry, Master of Science in Forestry

  • Available Emphasis Areas:
  • Ecology, Evolution and Conservation Biology - Emphasis
  • Forestry Coursework

Our traditional thesis option is an individually tailored plan of study that gives you experience in carrying out the kind of research you can expect to do throughout your professional career. This academic plan normally requires two calendar years of academic work that you may begin in either Fall or Spring term.

  • Degree Info Tab Open

  • Requirements Tab Open

  • Overview Tab Closed

  • Details Tab Closed

  • Availability Tab Closed

Requirements Accordion Open

  • 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.

     

Overview Accordion Closed

In addition to University Requirements:

  • Complete individual plan requirements.
Minimum Units for Completion32
Additional Admission RequirementsAdmission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.
Emphasis or Coursework Required

An emphasis or coursework is required for this degree.

ThesisThesis is required.
Oral DefenseOral Defense is required.
ResearchIndividualized research is required.
Progression Plan LinkView 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.
Emphasis in Ecology, Evolution & Conservation Biology (EECB)
  • 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.

Details Accordion Closed

Additional Admission Requirements
  • Admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.
    • NAU graduate online application is required for all programs. Details on admission requirements are included in the online application.
    • Undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution.
    • Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A"), or the equivalent.
    • Admission to many graduate programs is on a competitive basis, and programs may have higher standards than those established by the Graduate College.
    • Transcripts.
    • For details on graduate admission policies, please visit the Graduate Admissions Policy.
    • International applicants have additional admission requirements. Please see the International Graduate Admissions Policy.


    Individual program admission requirements include:

    • 3 contact references
    • Prerequisites (may be completed concurrently with the program)
      • 15 hours of Forestry coursework
    • Resume or curriculum vitae
    • Statement of research interests
    • All applicants should make contact with potential faculty members in the department BEFORE APPLYING. 
Master's Requirements
  • This Master’s degree requires 32 units distributed as follows:

    • Forestry Common Requirements: 15 units
    • Forestry Coursework or the Ecology, Evolution and Conservation Biology Emphasis: 10 units
    • Thesis: 8 units


    Of all of the following course requirements, 17 units must be in FOR courses

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

    Forestry Common Requirements (15 units)

    • FOR 505, FOR 690 and FOR 692 (6 units)
    • Select from the following (6 units):
      • CCJ 614
      • SOC 655
      • STA 570, STA 571, STA 572, STA 574, STA 676
      • or other graduate-level course with significant content in statistics
      • Elective coursework (3 units)

    Select one of the following:

     

    • Foresty Science elective coursework (10 units)

      • Electives - select in consultation with your major professor and thesis committee including at least 6 units of formal graded coursework. Electives may include the Ecology, Evolution & Conservation Biology Emphasis (12 units):


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

      • (BIO 577 or ENV 577 or FOR 577) (3 units)
      • Select one seminar course from: FOR 505, BIO 698 (1 unit)
      • Breadth Courses (6 units): Select one course from each of two of the following groups:
        • Quantitative: BIO 523, BIO 580, FOR 606, (EES 529 or GSP 529), or 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, or 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, or other graduate-level coursework in ecosystem/global ecology at NAU, guided and approved by advisor input.
  • Thesis
    • 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 take. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.

Availability Accordion Closed

  • Flagstaff

School of Forestry
Location
Building 82
Southwest Forest Science Complex
200 East Pine Knoll Drive
Flagstaff, Arizona 86011
Mailing Address
PO Box 15018
Flagstaff, Arizona 86011
Email
forestryinfo@nau.edu
Phone
928-523-3031
Social Media
Visit us on Twitter Facebook Instagram LinkedIn Youtube