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Graduate Programs

Graduate Studies

Graduate study is offered in the Department of Forestry leading to the degrees of Master of Science in forestry and Doctor of Philosophy in forest resources. Specialized areas of study include forest business, forest management and economics, forest genetics, forest hydrology and soils, silviculture, forest biometrics, forest photogrammetry and remote sensing, forest tree and seed physiology, forest harvesting and operations, and forest ecophysiology. The department has an extensive research program within the MSU Forest and Wildlife Research Center. This program provides the graduate student with a wide choice of problems for thesis or dissertation research supervised by an experienced faculty. Visit the MSU Online Graduate Catalog for course descriptions and more information.

Graduate Handbook Apply Online

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Graduate Programs

On Campus

  • MS Forestry (thesis)
  • PhD Forest Resources (dissertation)

Distance/Online

  • MS Forestry thesis
  • MS Forestry non-thesis

Research Areas

  • Forest Economics, Management and Policy
  • Forest Biology and Watershed Management
  • Forest Measurements and Spatial Technology

How to Apply

  • 1

    Identify a Forestry faculty member who is willing to serve as your major professor. This only applied for the M.S. thesis and Ph.D. programs.

Forest Economics, Management and Policy

The forest economics, management, and policy program is for students who are interested in the application of economic principles to a wide range of subjects extending from the management of various forest resources through the processing, marketing and consumption of forest products while applying the appropriate technical forestry principles, practices and business techniques to management of forests to achieve the objectives of forest landowners and society. We are efficiently and effectively involved in research on management, policy, economic and social conditions related to the private and public forests in the southern United States and across the world.

Faculty Members

Forest Biology and Watershed Management

The forest biology and watershed management program is for students interested in the study of interrelated processes, patterns, and biota within forest ecosystems and how management decisions affect these processes. Current research in this program consists of forest hydrology, fire ecology, rare and imperiled species, soil biogeochemistry, short rotation hardwood silviculture, forest ecophysiology, quantitative silviculture, and forest stand dynamics.

Faculty Members

Forest Measurements and Spatial Technology

The forest measurements and spatial technology program is for students who are interested in methods to quantify and elucidate current resource management issues by means of forest measurements, statistical methods, modeling, and spatial technologies. Current research includes forest measurement, habitat suitability and ecosystem modeling, biomass and carbon estimation, climate change, and remote sensing of ecosystem dynamics.

Faculty Members

  • 2

    Identify a source of funding (grant funding, assistantship, self-funding etc)

The Department of Forestry has several departmental and college-level research assistantships that cover tuition, stipend, and health insurance. These assistantships are generally allocated to Forestry faculty who then determine which students will receive assistantships. Faculty may also have assistantship funding available from research grants and other sources. Therefore, students should first contact faculty to determine if there is funding available and the research being conducted. Graduate students should identify a faculty member with funding before submitting the MSU application. Students are also welcome to contact faculty with corresponding research interests to inquire about funding opportunities. Students may also check the CFR job board for assistantship opportunities.

  • 3

    Have a 4-year degree from an accredited institution. For international students, TOEFL (PBT) >=550, TOEFL (iBT) >=79 or IELTS >=6.5.

Lower scores may be considered for conditional admittance (See handbook for details and exceptions).

M.S. Additional Requirements

GPA >= 3.0 for the last two years of Bachelor degree coursework (see handbook for more details)

Ph.D. Additional Requirements

GPA >= 3.1 in previous graduate coursework or 3.25 in Bachelors degree coursework without MS degree

MS degree (or equivalent) recommended.

  • 4

    Apply to the MSU Graduate School once previous requirements have been met.

  1. Complete all application forms for the MSU Graduate School
  2. Provide certified transcripts or official academic records of all college studies
  3. Provide three letters of recommendation to the MSU Graduate School
  4. Provide a statement of purpose supporting your intentions to enter the graduate program
  5. Provide documented evidence of financial support if not supported by Departmental assistantship (international students only)

Degree Requirements

Masters Thesis Option
On campus and distance

  • Form a graduate committee (at least 3 members; complete committee request form)
  • 24 hours coursework (12 at 8000 level) including FO 8111 and FO 8211 + 6 thesis hours (complete program of study form)
  • Complete a study plan (signed by committee)
  • Complete a thesis
  • Pass a thesis defense and final examination
  • Submit thesis to MSU library (complete LIB 9010)

Masters Non-Thesis Option
On campus and distance

  • Form a graduate committee (at least 3 members; complete committee request form)
  • 30 hours coursework (18 at 8000 level) including FO8803: Forestry Overview and one course in each of the following categories:
    • Forest Ecology/Silviculture
    • Forest Economics
    • Forest Policy
    • Forest Remote Sensing/Statistics
  • Pass a comprehensive examination

PhD Program
On campus only

  • Form a graduate committee (at least 4 members; complete committee request form)
  • 24 hours coursework (12 at 8000 level) including FO 8111 and FO 8211 + 20-30 thesis hours (complete program of study form)
  • Complete a study plan (signed by committee)
  • Pass written preliminary/oral comprehensive exam
  • Complete a dissertation
  • Pass a dissertation defense and final examination
  • Submit dissertation to MSU library (complete LIB 9010)

Student Placement

MS Graduates

  • 28%
    Industry & Corporate
  • 17%
    Government Agencies
  • 3%
    Non-governmental Organizations
  • 9%
    Academia
  • 1%
    M.S. Program
  • 23%
    Ph.D. Program
  • 1%
    Military
  • 18%
    Unknown

PhD Graduates

  • 18%
    Industry & Corporate
  • 15%
    Government Agencies
  • 43%
    Academia
  • 15%
    Post-doctoral Appointment
  • 3%
    Educator (Secondary School)
  • 6%
    Unknown

Forestry Graduate Student Association (FGSA)

Mission Statement

The goal of the FGSA is to facilitate the education, professional development, and fellowship of graduate students in the Mississippi State University Department of Forestry. This organization will facilitate these goals by providing opportunities for research presentation, discussion, and collaboration.

https://msstate.campuslabs.com/engage/organization/forestrygsa

Objectives

  • Provide opportunities for fellowship among forestry graduate students and faculty.
  • Represent graduate student interests and opinions in regards to forestry and the department.
  • Promote productivity among graduate students while providing opportunities to practice and develop professional skills.

For additional information please contact Dr. Austin Himes - ah379@msstate.edu.