Natural Resources Management

School of Natural Resources and Extension
907-474-7083
www.uaf.edu/snre/

BS, MS, MNRMG Degrees; Minor

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Minimum Requirements for Degrees: MS: 30 credits; MNRMG: 35 credits

The two master's degrees offered by the School of Natural Resources and Extension are designed for students desiring careers in resources management and students planning doctoral work, as well as those wishing to be better-informed citizens. The courses and curriculum for the two degrees were developed in cooperation with groups and agencies that work professionally with resource management in Alaska. These agencies, including the Alaska Department of Natural Resources, Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Natural Resources Conservation Service, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service contribute significantly to the programs by providing guest lecturers and internship and research opportunities for students.

Because of the diversity and broad scope of the field, each degree is customized according to the student's interests and advisory committee's recommendations. Student research projects and theses have typically been in the fields of forest management, land use planning, soil management, natural resource policy, range management, parks and recreation management, horticulture, agronomy, animal science, climate change, and GIS.

A bachelor of science or bachelor of arts degree in a relevant discipline is required for acceptance into either program. Candidates should have general familiarity with the major resource fields. The student's committee may require the student to take courses to remedy any deficiencies; these credits will not count toward the credits required for the degree.

Applicants must submit three letters of recommendation, official GRE scores, undergraduate transcripts and a statement of the applicant's goals. The latter should include information about why you are applying for the degree, why you chose UAF and SNRE, and how such a degree would fit into your career goals. Applications cannot be considered until all these items have been received by the Office of Admissions and the Registrar.

The MS degree in natural resource management is designed for those intending to pursue a career conducting research in management problems and/or to proceed on to a doctoral program. Thesis research in natural resources management is directed toward resource problems and based on hypothesis testing.

The master's degree in natural resource management and geography is designed to prepare students for a management career in natural resources planning and administration; communication and public information; and/or operational innovation, improvement and impact assessment. While not requiring scientific research, the work is expected to involve critical reflection, empirical inquiry and intellectual honesty. A written product (an “opus”) and an oral presentation demonstrating sound scholarship will be required. Final acceptance of the project will be by the student's committee and the associate dean of SNRE.

MS Degree

  1. Complete the general university requirements.
  2. Complete the master's degree requirements.
  3. Complete the following:
    NRM F601--Research Methods in Natural Resources--2 credits
         or an approved research methods course*
    NRM F692--Graduate Seminar--3 credits
    NRM F699--Thesis--6-12 credits
    Statistics course at the F400 level or above**--3 credits
  4. Additional approved courses as needed to total 30 credits (these courses will be approved by the student's committee). Up to 6 of these credits may be F400-level courses.
  5. Complete and successfully defend the thesis.
  6. Minimum credits required--30 credits

* Requirement may be met with a research methods course in a discipline related to natural resources management.

** Requirement may be met with a statistics course in mathematical sciences or in a discipline related to natural resources management.

MNRMG Degree

  1. Complete the general university requirements.
  2. Complete the master's degree requirements.
  3. Complete the following:
    NRM F601--Research Methods in Natural Resources (2)
         or an approved research methods course*--2 credits
    NRM F692--Graduate Seminar--3 credits
    NRM F698--Non-thesis research/project--6 credits
    Statistics course at the F400 level or above**--3 credits
  4. Additional approved courses as needed to total 35 credits (these courses will be approved by the student's committee and the SNRE dean). Up to 9 of these credits may be F400-level courses.
  5. Complete and successfully defend the opus.
  6. Minimum credits required--35 credits

* Requirements may be met with a research methods course in a discipline related to natural resources management.

** Requirements may be met with a statistics course in mathematical sciences or in a discipline related to natural resources management.