Degree Programs
FER Home : Graduate Students : Degree Programs
The Department of Forestry & Natural Resources (FER) offers six Masters and two PhD degree tracks in specific areas of Forestry, Natural Resources or Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences. Some programs require a formal thesis; others accept a professional project and presentation in lieu of a thesis.
For more information on a specific degree program, please click on a link below:
- Master of Forestry (non-thesis degree)
- Master of Science in Forestry
- PhD in Forestry
- Master of Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences (non-thesis degree)
- Master of Science in Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences
- PhD in Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences
- Natural Resources Masters Program
For information on admission procedures, financial support and other topics related to these degree programs, please click on one of the links at left.
Graduate Curriculum
All FER graduate level courses can be found on NCSU's Registration and Records website. Graduate courses are designated as 500-level or higher. It is common for students pursuing graduate degrees within FER to follow a study program that includes courses from other NC State departments, particularly Botany, Genetics, Soil Science, Statistics and Zoology.
Because many entering graduate students do not have a forestry or natural resources background, FER also offers a series of mini-courses that provide overviews on relevant subject areas. Each mini-course is taught over a period of five weeks and earns one credit hour. Applicants with no forestry background who are interested in traditional forestry careers should read about prerequisites here.
Faculty
FER Faculty available to graduate students includes experts on a wide variety of topics related to forestry and environmental resources, including leading researchers and teachers in such areas as the bio sciences, economics, forest nutrition, forest policy and management, hardwoods, hydrology, international forestry and global natural resources, landscape ecology, policy, physiology/ vegetative propagation, restoration ecology, silviculture, spatial sciences, tree improvement, wetlands/restoration ecology, wildlife biology and woodlots. For a complete list of FER Faculty members, please click here.
The Graduate School
All graduate students at NC State automatically belong to the University’s Graduate School and are subject to its requirements. This organization is a valuable resource, as it provides comprehensive information on graduate studies at NC State, including links to admission and other forms, graduation requirements and more.
Student Organizations
The Forestry and Environmental Resources Graduate Student Association - FER GSA is the department's University Graduate Student Association. Its mission is to improve the educational and social experiences of the graduate students in the Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources. The FER GSA hosts an annual Graduate Research Symposium which is a chance for students to learn more about research in the department.
Many of our graduate students join other university organizations and the student chapters of professional organizations related to their area of interest. Examples of popular organizations include the International Society of Tropical Foresters, Leopold Wildlife Club, the Student Fisheries Society, the Society of American Foresters, and the WolfPack Environmental Student Association (WESA).
Visit University-wide Student Organizations for a look at the more than 300 other student organizations active at NC State.
