Graduate Students:
Information For Applicants

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Overview

The School of Environmental and Forest Sciences offers graduate programs leading to:

Our degrees prepare students for careers in academia, public agencies, industry, the private sector, and non-profit organizations. Graduate training is available in many areas of basic and applied research.

Research Interest Groups

Bioresource Science and Engineering
Forest Ecology
Forest Soils
Restoration Ecology and Environmental Horticulture
Social Sciences
Sustainable Resource Management
Wildlife Science

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Degree

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree may be preceded by education in either forest resources or another discipline. The program requires preparation of a Research Proposal, passage of a Qualifying Examination and General Examination, completion of the dissertation research, and presentation of the research at a Final Examination. A minimum of two years of residence at the UW is also required. Students interested in a PhD degree should contact individual faculty members to request information on current research and graduate opportunities.

Master of Science (MS) Degree

The Master of Science (MS) degree is a learned degree, often precursory to the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree. Typically, the student is required to complete a research-based thesis. Course requirements are flexible to support the educational and career goals of the student. Students interested in an MS degree should contact individual faculty members to request information on current research and graduate opportunities

Master of Environmental Horticulture (MEH) Degree

The Master of Environmental Horticulture (MEH) degree is a non-thesis degree designed for students or professionals interested in problem-solving in environmental fields. It is focused on restoration, horticulture, and environmental management. This is an applied degree with an emphasis on real-world problem-solving. The products that may be created in lieu of a formal thesis include management plans, designed experiments, actual installations, web utilities, vegetation assessments, and others. The holder of an MEH degree may proceed on in academia if they choose.

Which is for me? MS or MEH?

Master of Forest Resources (MFR)-Forest Management Degree (SAF-accredited)

The Master of Forest Resources (MFR)-Forest Management degree is a non-thesis degree designed to integrate knowledge and skills from technical disciplines with those from policy and management in ways suitable for professional leadership in the public, non-governmental, and private sectors; to create a collaborative and interdisciplinary learning environment that develops team approaches and leadership skills; and to present experiences needed for complex decision-making and create future managers capable of addressing the issues facing society and industry in the forest resources arena. The degree presumes a bachelor's degree in forestry or closely-related field, and can be completed in one calendar year. The degree program is accredited by the Society of American Foresters and courses taken can be used to satisfy the educational requirements of the SAF’s Candidate Certified Forester (CCF) title).

Master of Science (MS) /Master of Public Affairs (MPA) Concurrent Degree

The concurrent Master of Science (MS)/Master of Public Affairs (MPA) is a three-year program focused on training public, private, and nonprofit leaders to synthesize the worlds of science, management, and policy. Students enrolled in the program earn both an MS from the School of Environmental and Forest Sciences and an MPA from the Daniel J. Evans School of Public Affairs.

Peace Corps Master’s International Program (PCMI)

The Peace Corps Master’s International (PCMI) Program is a professional degree program designed to allow students to complement a rigorous program of academic study with intense hands-on experience during their overseas Peace Corps assignment. School of Environmental and Forest Sciences’ students in the PCMI program usually earn a Master of Forest Resources (MFR) degree.