Master of Science (M.S.)

Our traditional 32-unit 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.

In preparing your thesis, we expect you to demonstrate your ability to work independently on a problem, your wide familiarity with the literature in your field, your command of the techniques and principles of research, and your ability to form valid generalizations from the data you use. We require a final oral defense of your thesis.

Admission into the M.S. program requires the sponsorship of a faculty member to serve as research mentor and collaborator, and usually requires funding for the research project. Admission into the M.S. is limited by faculty time and research funding. Students with undergraduate degrees unrelated to Forestry or resource management generally are not competitive for the limited number of M.S. positions in the School of Forestry.

Master of Forestry (M.F.)

This 33-hour program prepares you for a career as a multi-resource forest manager, in contrast to a career in research. It is appropriate for students who desire advanced training in Forestry, but not a research focus.

The program of study involves a minimum of 30 semester hours of coursework plus 3 hours of credit for the professional paper, plus any remedial coursework required as part of the admission, and is designed by the student in consultation with the student's Major Professor whose interests complement those of the student. The student's program of study includes core courses, as specified below, plus a selection of courses tailored to the student's personal interests. The development of both oral and written communications skills is an integral and essential part of the program.

Admission into the M.F. program is easier because less faculty time is required for advising, and because no research funds are required.

Master of Forestry with International Emphasis

The NAU School of Forestry, in partnership with the School for Field Studies (http://www.fieldstudies.org), offers a Master of Forestry degree with International Emphasis. This program is identical to the M.F. degree with the exception of special sections of FOR697, "Introduction to the School for Field Studies", and FOR506, "Summer Field Experience and Seminar", which will be conducted in either Kenya, Costa Rica, or Australia. A full program overview can be found in our Graduate Handbook.

Doctorate (Ph.D.)

The Doctor of Philosophy degree is the terminal degree offered in the profession of forestry. Students with the Ph.D. degree normally pursue a career in research and/or education. Ph.D. students are expected to demonstrate skill in the generation of original ideas, considerable command of the literature, skill at designing, analyzing, and interpreting research, skill in scientific writing including the publication of research results in major professional refereed journals and basic skills in teaching.

Ph.D. students are expected to be self-motivated and largely direct their own research program with advice and counsel from the Major Professor and Dissertation Committee. The Ph.D. is a research degree that should be evaluated based on the originality and quality of the new knowledge generated. The School of Forestry offers three Ph.D. emphasis areas: Ecosystem Science, Forest Management Sciences and Economics, and Forest Social Science.

Last Updated ( Wednesday, 09 July 2008 )