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Dec 07, 2025
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2025-2026 University Catalog
Forestry and Natural Resources, MSF or MS
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About the Program
The Forestry and Natural Resources Graduate Program is one of the MS and PhD degree granting departments in Purdue’s College of Agriculture. Graduate students in FNR train alongside award-winning faculty and staff to become the next generation of professionals in the natural resource sciences. The department has well-established partnerships with FNR Industry Partners and offers a wide range of research possibilities. Graduates with advanced degrees in FNR are in demand in higher education, state and national governmental agencies, as well as private industry. Faculty and staff provide expertise in diverse areas, including Aquatic Sciences, Digital Natural Resources, Ecology of Natural Systems, Forest Science, Genetics, Hardwood Products Innovations, Natural Resource Social Science, Quantitative Ecology, and Wildlife Science. Graduate students in FNR train alongside award-winning faculty and staff to become the next generation of professionals in the natural resource sciences. According to articles in the Chronicle of Higher Education and other literature including Science, broadening experiences in addition to research should be components of graduate education so that students may realize the breadth of potential professional opportunities and diverse interactions. FNR, consistent with the mission of a land-grant institution, strives to build programs that help graduate students realize diverse professional objectives. Graduate Students are the backbone of FNR by supporting all aspects of the land-grant missions of Discovery, Learning, and Engagement. FNR Graduate Students have the unique opportunity to create a Plan of Study that is tailored to their specific learning and professional goals. Master’s students can pursue a thesis or non-thesis option. See below for each set of requirements. Program Website Program Requirements - Thesis and Non-thesis
30 Credits RequiredRequired Courses (24-30 credits)
Research Areas (19-25 credits)
Students pursing a thesis MS should take a minimum of 19 credit hours. Students pursing a non-thesis MS should take 25 credits to fulfill remaining credit requirements. Research areas include: aquatic sciences; digital natural resources; ecology of natural systems; forest science; genetics; hardwood products innovations; natural resource social science; quantitative ecology; and wildlife sciences. Thesis Research (6 credits)
Only required for thesis MS students. Non-Thesis Project
In lieu of a thesis, each student pursuing a non-thesis MS will write and submit a Project following the requirements set forth by the student’s Advisory Committee. Additional Requirements
Students must: 1) complete FNR 50600 Theory and Application of Natural Resource Extension Programming; 2) develop an extension/outreach plan; and 3) produce a minimum of one deliverable. The outreach plan must include a defined target audience, clear learning objectives, and a suggestion of where and when their outreach and/or extension activity will occur. The specific deliverable(s) associated with each student’s outreach and/or extension activities will vary depending upon each student’s educational objectives and the direction given by each individual student’s Advisory Committee. Examples of deliverables include, but are not limited to: numbered extension publications, non-technical publications, articles in popular magazines, newsletter, trade magazines, etc., posters, pamphlets, web content, social media, workshops for professional or public audiences, seminars for non-scientific audiences, and youth programming. The student will complete and submit the Candidacy Extension/Outreach Evaluation Form. If a waiver for FNR 50600 is obtained, the student is still required to meet the other policy standards including an Advisory Committee review and approval of an extension/outreach plan, an extension/outreach deliverable, and completion of the Candidacy Extension/Outreach Evaluation Form. Concentrations
Departmental concentrations: - Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
- Forest Biology
- Forestry Measurement and Assessment/GIS
- Natural Resource Social Science
- Wildlife Science
- Wood Product and Wood Product Manufacturing
Interdisciplinary concentrations: Program Learning Outcomes
Students will: - Identify and conduct original research, scholarship, and creative endeavors.
- Effectively communicate their field of study.
- Think critically, creatively, and solve problems in field of study.
- Conduct research in an ethical and responsible manner.
- Demonstrate attributes of professional development consistent with expectations within field of study.
GPA Requirements
Graduate students whose cumulative grade point average (GPA) drops below 3.0 will be notified in writing that they have one semester to re-establish a minimum 3.0 cumulative index. Note, academic standing is not addressed during the summer semester. Should they fail to improve their cumulative index to 3.0 during the probationary semester, they will be dropped from the graduate program. Graduate Programs Disclaimer
- The student is ultimately responsible for knowing and completing all degree requirements. Students should consult with their advisor/department for more information.
- Not all graduate programs may be actively recruiting students and course modality availability may vary.
- Please refer to the Explore Graduate Programs website for a list of currently available graduate programs.
- Transfer credit policy: Credits earned for graduate study at other universities (both domestic and international) may be applied toward an advanced degree. Only credit hours associated with graduate courses for which grades of B- or better were obtained will be eligible for transfer. Any additional conditions under which credit transfers may be made are determined by the various departments.
- Comparative information about Purdue University and other U.S. educational institutions is also available through the College Navigator tool, provided by the National Center for Education Statistics, and through the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
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