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Managing
 Natural
 Resources

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Overview
Department of Forestry

Established in 1954, the Department of Forestry prepares graduates for meaningful science-based careers in the management and use of forested ecosystems. Students who graduate from the forestry program have a 98% placement rate.

You'll find that MSU's forestry department is one of the only programs in the country to offer an intensive, nine-week Summer Field Program in applied forest management, providing real-world experiences that help your marketability for employment post-graduation.

In research, scientists work under the broad categories of forest biology and watershed management; forest economics, management and policy; and forest measurements and spatial technology. With 125,000 forest landowners in the state, forest professionals provide landowner outreach for the successful management of forest resources.

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Admissions

Forestry Majors

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Forestry

The undergraduate major in forestry is a science-based program leading to the Bachelor of Science degree. Our program will prepare you for a professional career in forest resource management and use. Customize your learning experience with one of the following major concentrations: Environmental Conservation, Forest Business, Forest Management, Urban Forestry, and Wildlife Management. This major is accredited by the Society of American Foresters (SAF).

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Natural Resource and Environmental Conservation

The undergraduate major in natural resource and environmental conservation is a science-based program leading to the Bachelor of Science degree. Customize your learning experience with one of the following major concentrations: Natural Resource Law and Administration, Natural Resource Technology, and Resource Conservation Science. This major is accredited by the Society of American Foresters (SAF).

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Departmental Responsibilities:
Teaching, Research, & Service.

The members of the Forestry Department's faculty undertake nationally recognized program activities in the three areas of departmental responsibility: teaching, research, and service. These activities allow faculty to make an impact that matters on campus and beyond. They also provide part-time employment opportunities in science-based research and extension programs for many forestry students. These employment opportunities provide real-world experience related directly to the chosen profession and career objectives of these students.

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Areas of Study

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Environmental Conservation

Today's forestry professionals strive to balance commodity production with environmental conservation. This concentration is designed for students interested in complex environmental issues in the realm of natural resources management.

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Forest Business

Forestry professionals need training in forestry and strong business skills to compete in the global forest products industry. This concentration is designed to allow students to gain a strong understanding in forestry plus minor in real estate, business information systems, economics, insurance, finance, business analytics, management, marketing, accounting, business administration, or entrepreneurship.

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Forest Management

This concentration is designed for students who intend to pursue professional careers in forest land and timber management in both the public and private sectors.

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Forestry / Wildlife Management

This concentration is designed for students who intend to pursue careers that emphasize wildlife management within the context of multiple-use management of forest land.

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Urban Forestry

This concentration addresses an emerging need for the management of trees in our towns and cities, and the urban/wildland interface.

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Natural Resource Law & Administration

This concentration will provide students with a background in the science of natural resource management as well as a foundation in the legal, regulatory, and administrative environment in which this management occurs.

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Natural Resource Technology

This concentration is specifically designed to provide students with the fundamental background to meet the rapidly growing need for professionals who can collect, manage, and manipulate complex geospatial and ancillary data used in natural resource management.

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Resource Conservation Science

This concentration provides the skills to promote environmental protection and resource conservation within forest ecosystems particularly as it relates to effects on human, floral and fauna in these environments.

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Forestry

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Distance Forestry M.S.

Master of Science Degree in Forestry
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Find a Forester

Board of Registration for Foresters
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Continuing Education

Forestry Extension - Program and Events
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Find a Logger

Logger Education - Qualified Loggers