Department of Ecosystem Science & Management

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Graduate Degrees and Certificates

Graduate student in ESSM can major in one of the eight graduate degree programs:

  • Ph.D. in Forestry and Ph.D. in Rangeland Ecology and Management

    These PhD degrees (64 credit hours minimum) are designed primarily for students who are pursuing an academic or research career in natural resources and related fields, with an emphasis on forest or rangeland resources.

  • M.S. in Forestry and M.S. in Rangeland Ecology and Management

    These Master of Science degrees are intended to educate scientists and professionals in research and management in natural resources and related fields, with an emphasis on forest or rangeland resources. (more...) It offers a thesis option (32 credit hours minimum) for those who desire a serious research experience and a non-thesis option (36 credit hours minimum) for those who seek a professional career outside of research.

  • Master of Natural Resource Development (MNRD)

    The MNRD degree (non-thesis, 36 credit hours minimum) is designed for students who want professional graduate training with a management orientation in natural resources. (more...) It is intended to emphasize the problem solving skills involved in the use of science and technology to benefit humanity, not as a research degree. A professional internship is required.

  • Distance-based Master of Natural Resource Development (MNRD)

    The distance-based MNRD degree (non-thesis, 36 credit hours minimum) is designed for working natural resource professionals seeking advanced graduate training. (more...) It aims to develop an understanding of the interrelationships among ecology, economics, policy, and culture, as factors that influence natural resource conservation and management. Development of a professional paper in a relevant area of natural resources management is required. Contact Dr. Robert Knight (Program Coordinator, 979-845-5557).

  • Master of Agriculture (MAgr) in Rangeland Ecology and Management

    This MAgr degree (non-thesis, 36 credit hours minimum) is designed for students who want professional graduate training with a management orientation. (more...) It provides advanced training in the science and management of rangeland resources, emphasizes the development of problem solving capabilities, and requires an intensive (minimum 6 months) professional internship that is designed to provide meaningful, applied, practical experiences.

  • Peace Corps Master's International Program

    Students studying for a MS, MAgr, or MNRD degrees in ESSM can integrate their coursework and research with their Peace Corps service. More information at Norman Borlaug Institute for International Agriculture web site.

ESSM administers or jointly administer three Graduate Certificate Programs that are available to all graduate students in the university:

  • Graduate Certificate in Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
    This is a joint program (12 credit hours) administered by the Departments of Ecosystem Science and Management and Geography. (more...) GIS technologies are applied to wide-ranging fields with interests in spatially distributed information such as transportation, environmental/resource management, marketing, facility management, healthcare delivery, homeland security, agriculture, and urban planning, among others. This certificate program has been designed to meet the growing demand for qualified individuals in the field. The certificate requires four courses, including an introductory, two advanced, and one elective course.
  • Graduate Certificate in Remote Sensing (RS)
    This is a joint program (12 credit hours) administered by the Departments of Ecosystem Science and Management and Geography. (more...) Remote Sensing (RS) technologies are applied to wide-ranging fields such as environmental/resource management, marketing, facility management, agriculture, urban planning, homeland security and intelligence, among others. In addition, the synergistic linkages between RS technologies and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are rapidly increasing. This certificate program has been designed to meet the growing demand for qualified individuals in this field. The certificate requires four courses, including an introductory, two advanced, and one elective course.
  • International Agriculture and Resource Management Graduate Certificate Program
    This certificate program (13 credit hours) is available to students majoring in any of the graduate programs in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (COALS). (more...) It prepares students for an international career in agriculture, life sciences and natural resources, provides opportunities to interact with internationally-focused faculty and students, increases cross-cultural awareness and understanding, and offers a broader understanding of world food and fiber systems and sustainable development. Students select core courses in consultation with their emphasis area which should be primarily international in application and should help them to understand better the processes and contexts in which agricultural and natural resources systems function. Students are encouraged to direct their subsequent thesis and dissertation research towards issues of international agriculture and resource management.