Forestry - MS, PhD

About This Degree

Forestry is a land management degree focused on the integration of biological, social, and physical sciences and their application to the management of forest ecosystems.

USU is the only university in the state with a college devoted to the study of natural resources, and it is the only university in the state and one of only a few in the region with degree programs in forestry.

What You Will Learn

While studying forest ecosystem management, students can focus on a variety of related areas, including forest ecology, economics, social sciences, natural resource policy, wildlife species and their impact on forest ecosystems, hydrological dimensions, recreational dimensions, and more.

Each student works with their graduate committee to create an individualized plan of study that supports their area of research interests. Students are able to take courses in other areas and departments, gaining an interdisciplinary education in forestry and related aspects.

Specialization:

Forest Ecology:

A student opting for the Forest Ecology Specialization at USU will know and be able to show that they have taken courses and conducted research that prepares them for either additional forest related research or a career in the management of forests and woodlands.

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ADVISING

At a Glance

College: S.J. & Jessie E. Quinney College of Natural Resources

Department: Wildland Resources Department

USU Locations:

Logan campus

Faculty: View profiles of faculty members on the department directory.

Program Requirements

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Career And Outcomes

Career Opportunities

Graduates in forestry are able to pursue careers as foresters in the following areas:

U.S. Forest Service
Bureau of Land Management
National Park Service
Other federal land management agencies
State natural resource and forestry agencies
Forest industry
Forest land management
The Nature Conservancy
Native American tribes
Faculty and research positions with universities

Job Outlook

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION AND ADVISING

Advising

Stacey Brummer

Wildland Resources Staff Assistant
Email: stacey.brummer@usu.edu
Office: NR 206
Phone: (435) 797-2503

I am not a current USU student

I have not applied or been admitted, even if I've taken a USU Concurrent Enrollment course

I am a current USU student

I have been admitted and plan to attend, or continue attending USU

USU Locations

LOGAN CAMPUS

Admission

Admission Requirements

Students with undergraduate degrees in natural resources or sciences are preferred.

To be accepted to the program, it is recommended that applicants first contact a specific faculty member with whom they are interested in working. If the faculty member is accepting graduate students and agrees to work with the student, the student can then apply by completing the following application requirements:

Application Requirements:

Complete the online application
Pay the $55 application fee
The GRE is not required by the Department or College, but that specific advisors may require GRE scores
Have a 3.0 or higher GPA on your last 60 semester or 90 quarter credits
Provide transcripts of all college/university credits
Provide three contacts for letters of recommendation

International students have additional admissions requirements.

Deadlines

Applications for graduate programs are accepted year-round. However, chances for acceptance are best if students apply from October through January of each academic year. It is also encouraged that students begin in the fall if possible.

Program Requirements

PhD Qualifying Exams:

PhD students must pass a comprehensive examination. This exam is used to assess whether a student is prepared to successfully conduct independent research. The assessment depends upon the student’s knowledge in his or her area of concentration and in supporting areas, understanding of philosophical perspectives on scholarship, and ability to communicate this knowledge effectively.

It is recommended that the comprehensive exam be taken by the end of the student’s second academic year, and it must be passed no later than one year prior to defending the dissertation and before candidacy will be recommended.

Plan Options

Students can receive the MS by pursuing one of two options:

In the Plan A option, students complete graduate-level coursework and must write a thesis.
The Plan B option requires the production of a paper or creative work of art and is expected to reflect equivalent scholarship standards as a thesis.

Financial Aid

The Department of Wildland Resources provides funding for all of its graduate students through research assistantships, available through professors having contracts, grants, or other awards.

A variety of funding opportunities are available on the graduate school website.