Choosing a Program
FER Home : Graduate Students : Choosing a Program
If you are unsure about which FER Masters program is right for you, this section can help you decide. Choosing the right degree program for you is usually a 3-step process that helps you examine what you want your graduate experience to focus on.
Step 1: What role will research play?
The first step in choosing a program is deciding on the extent you wish to emphasize research during your graduate experience. FER’s Masters of Science programs are usually appropriate for grad students who want to pursue original research or who plan to continue for a PhD at some point in the future.
The Master of Forestry, Master of Natural Resources and Master of Fisheries and Wildlife programs all emphasize coursework, rather than research, and are referred to as professional or non-thesis degree programs. These degree programs are logical choices for applicants who would like advanced training as preparation for a professional career, but who do not foresee continuing studies beyond the Masters level and who feel that formal research would not significantly further their career goals.
Keep in mind, however, that while students in the non-thesis Masters programs are not required to prepare a thesis, they are expected to complete a project and present it to the Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources.
Step 2: Which curriculum best fits your needs?
Once you have determined how much research you intend to pursue, the next step is to decide which curriculum best fits your needs. For most people, this is a simple matter as they determined their field of study before beginning their search for strong university programs in that area.
However, sometimes the distinction between the three major curricula offered through FER — i.e., forestry, natural resources and fisheries and wildlife sciences — is not always clear. Reviewing our Interest Areas sections in the drop-down list, What’s Your Interest? menu at left may help you pinpoint the right curriculum. Or, you can contact FER Faculty members who work in areas of interest to you for help identifying the right curriculum.
Students pursuing a degree in the Natural Resources Masters Program choose a concentration among a list of technical options. If you are unsure of which option to choose, again, contacting an FER Faculty member in the area of interest to you can help you make the right choice.
Step 3: Confirm you can meet program requirements.
Various programs require different admissions and degree requirements. Before you apply to a program, please review the basic requirements outlined under the individual program descriptions as well as the Grad Student Requirements section of the Current Student Info section.
