Natural Resources — MNR, MS

Degree Programs

• Natural Resources — MNR
• Natural Resources — MS
• Professional Forester Option — MNR
   

Graduate study in natural resources leads to the Master of Natural Resources (MNR), Master of Science (MS), or MNR — Professional Forester degrees. In addition to meeting Graduate School admission requirements, applicants are evaluated and recommended for admission by the graduate faculty of the College of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences based on an examination of scores on the TOEFL tests for international students, previous academic records, experience, and recommendations. While exceptions may be made, the faculty generally expect a minimum GPA of 3.0 in previous academic course work. Course deficiencies are identified by the student’s advisory committee and approved by the GPO with due consideration for the student’s previous training and experience.

Degrees Offered

• Master of Natural Resources (MNR) — The MNR is a non-thesis degree. 

Natural Resource Management is available for individuals with a baccalaureate degree who are interested in careers in the natural resources arena. This degree can be completed in 3–4 semesters depending upon coursework selected and requires a minimum of 30 semester hours of on-campus or online distance education graduate courses.

• Master of Science (MS) A research proposal and thesis based on original research are required components of the MS degree. The program normally requires 2 – 3 years for completion. The MS degree program requires a minimum of 30 hours beyond the bachelor's degree at the graduate level, 21 hours of which must be in the major. A minimum of 4 but not more than 6 hours in Research and Thesis (FORY 7990) is required. All MS students are required to take Research Methods (FORY 7510), Seminar (FOWS 7950), and Research and Thesis (FORY 7990).
• MNR - Professional Forester Option is for individuals with baccalaureate degrees in fields other than forestry and those who are interested in becoming Registered Foresters in Alabama. This track is a two-year program which begins with a 10-week summer Field Practicum and requires a minimum of 64 semester hours. This includes 34 hours of specified undergraduate course work plus 30 hours of graduate course work. The MNR Professional Forester option degree program is accredited by the Society of American Foresters (SAF). SAF is the accrediting body recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation as the accrediting agency for forestry education in the United States. Graduation from such SAF-accredited programs is required of all applicants for Registered Forester status in Alabama and several other states.