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What is a Forestry Degree?

Forestry is the field of study and employment that deals with the maintenance and well being of forests through the use of techniques, tests, and other measures, to ensure the longevity and health of trees and other plant life.Foresters may also work in the lumber industry, providing assistance in the growth and health of trees for the purposes of lumber, working on large tracts of land in order to maintain a steady and regular supply of wood. Individuals who begin their careers in this field will initially work under the supervision of more experienced professionals, often in outdoor settings for extensive periods of time.

Career Summary

MEDIAN SALARY

$60,300

PERCENT ABOVE NATIONAL
INCOME AVERAGE

38.53%

TOTAL SECTOR EMPLOYMENT

45,820

Degree Median Salary vs Adjacent Degree Types

Source: BLS, US Census, and IPEDS

2024 Best Forestry Degree

Known for its prominence, also deemed one of the best universities across the nation, and the third oldest institution of higher learning in the United States – Yale offers diverse and comprehensive programs, including Forestry, dual bachelor, and minor degree for students who want to pursue secondary area of studies. 

Forestry program in Yale University is commonly known as the Master of Forestry degree program was curated to encompass a wide range opportunities for students who intend to pursue a professional career in environmental management, which scales from rural to urban, global to local. Master of Forestry’s curriculum centers two major themes: Multidisciplinary exposure in the biological and social science, and progressive growth of experience in resource measurement, analysis, and policy. Readying the students identify and expound critical, and worldly problems and resource conflicts across a complex web of ecological, political, and social systems. Yale imparts forestry students with wide-ranged hands-on technical experience at 11,000 acres of Yale-owned forest, and apprenticeship through the Apprentice Forester Program to learn technical and management skills, which is administered with a Forest management organization, or an independent management and research project that may lead to publication and dissemination. 

Acceptance Rate

6.08

Student to Faculty Ratio

6:1

University of California – Berkeley, also known as UC Berkeley, is renowned for the university’s excellence. The university has at least 48 highly-ranked graduate programs, offers over 350 degree programs, and made it one of the top 10 universities across the nation.

UC Berkeley was ranked top university in Environmental/Ecology by the U.S. News and World Report’s inaugural international ranking in 2014, and Environmental Sciences has ranked number 1 by the annual QS World University Rankings by Subject four years in a row. In UC Berkeley, they support their students who are interested in Environment, by providing a wide range of opportunities in different areas. The university’s Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management offers three majors administered by the Rausser College of Natural Resources, the major fields of study are, Biological Sciences, Ecosystem Management and Interdisciplinary Studies, and Social Studies. UC Berkeley prepares students in their chosen path and helps them hone their knowledge by giving opportunities, valuable experience and strong commitment in teaching. 

Acceptance Rate

16.25

Student to Faculty Ratio

20:1

University of Florida is a public institution in Gainesville, Florida was established in 1853, and known as one of the best universities across the nation. Boasting its vast majority of distinguished faculty members, and more than 50,000 students. The school offers 100 undergraduate majors and 200 graduate programs to help aspiring students pursue and succeed in their chosen path.

Under the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) and the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS) includes the Forest Resources and Conservation course to adapt students who are interested in forestry. The school offers coursework, conducts research, and hands-on training in forestry, and natural resource management. What’s unique about this course is that students build their curriculum together with a dedicated faculty advisor – Students must complete nine core categories, which are Professional Seminar, Ecology, Quantitative Analysis and Assessment, Natural History, Human Dimensions, Policy and Economics, Field Applications, Spatial Analysis, and Capstone Experience.  These help the students hone their interest, delve deeper in the complex areas, and have deeper knowledge in forestry and environmental management.

Acceptance Rate

36.58

Student to Faculty Ratio

18:1

California polytechnic State University – San Luis Obispo was established in 1901, “Learn by doing” has been the Cal Poly core philosophy, that’s why they highlight hands-on learning in all the programs offered. Cal Poly has six colleges, offering more than 150 undergraduate majors and minors as well as over 50 graduate programs.

Natural Resources Management and Environmental Sciences is a degree program in Forest & Fire Sciences for students who want to pursue a career in managing and protecting our forests and natural resources and many other environmental-related careers. This degree program is accredited by the Society of American Foresters, students who graduate with this degree are recognized as a forester with the Federal Government by the U.S. Office of the Personnel Management. Students will develop critical-thinking in solving complex problems regarding the environment, will have technical knowledge in forestry, fire and fuels management, environmental management – forest ecology, measurement of forest resources, forest resource policy and administration, so students will learn to sustainably maintain and solve environmental issues. Throughout this program, students will do research, and demonstration projects that will be conducted by the faculty, and internships are available to provide students “real-world” experience, to broaden the students’ knowledge in the field. 

together with a dedicated faculty advisor – Students must complete nine core categories, which are Professional Seminar, Ecology, Quantitative Analysis and Assessment, Natural History, Human Dimensions, Policy and Economics, Field Applications, Spatial Analysis, and Capstone Experience.  These help the students hone their interest, delve deeper in the complex areas, and have deeper knowledge in forestry and environmental management.

Acceptance Rate

28.42

Student to Faculty Ratio

21:1

 University of Maryland, College Park sitting just outside Washington D.C., an acclaimed state’s flagship university, and home to 41,000 students, 14,000 dedicated faculty and staff, and 388,000 Alumni. This university is one of the most distinguished public research universities across the nation, renowned research enterprise, and programs in academics, the arts, and athletics – offering 200 degree-granting programs, and spans up to 12 schools and colleges.

Forestry is one of the courses offered at the University of Maryland. It is designed to those who have the inclination to increase their knowledge and hone their interests with forests, and forest management. The course covers several lessons and is divided into six units, namely, the forested landscape, The Forest and the trees, Forest Care, Forest Inventory and Analysis, The management plan, and the business of Forestry. These course contents will give you a closer look in forest ecology, understanding forest resources. And will teach you forest stewardship and planning, for those who want to develop the framework of planning for their own forest property.  

Acceptance Rate

44.18

Student to Faculty Ratio

18:1

Established in 1785 in the state of Georgia, University of Georgia was the first public higher education across America – the university is known for its dedication to honing students to excellence. University of Georgia has been one of the nation’s top three architects of Rhodes Scholars over the past two decades.  The University of Georgia is a home to 38,000 students, has 17 colleges and schools, and has produced 332,000 alumni living worldwide. 

University of Georgia’s Warnell School of Forestry & Natural Resources invites aspiring students who have keen interest in forestry. The Warnell School of Forestry offers to prepare students to effectively manage forest lands – to be able to provide, and meet the society’s need for wood, clean, water, wildlife environment, conservation of forest flora and fauna, and more. The curriculum emphasizes “hands-on’ field experiences, problem analysis, and research to help students further understand forest ecosystems, utilize the forest and management tools, and an appropriate approach in forest conservation and management. The curriculum is accredited by the Society of American Foresters.

Acceptance Rate

45.3

Student to Faculty Ratio

17:1

North Carolina State University at Raleigh, or the NC State University founded in 1887, and has been providing higher education without reservation ever since. NC State developed throughout the years and became the leading public research university across the nation, and one of the headmost universities when it comes to science, technology, math, engineering, agriculture, education, textiles, business, and natural resources. 

Out of more than 300 undergraduate and graduate degree programs under 65 departments, the top ranked forestry degree may be the most lauded degree program at NC State.  The Forestry program is under the Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources that offers vast opportunities for undergraduates and graduates in pursuing a career in forestry. This program in NC State provides outstanding faculty and learning techniques to help students fully understand their chosen path, they provide excellent classroom lectures, hands-on fieldwork wherein students go to weekly trips to a college-owned forest land, and real-world research. With the help of distinguished faculty and advisors, students will get a deeper understanding with forest management, policies, environmental emergencies, solving nature’s complex challenges, and more.

Acceptance Rate

45.13

Student to Faculty Ratio

14:1

Purdue University is one of the land-grant universities in the country, to provide higher education teaching agriculture and the “mechanic arts”, and it was established in 1869. The distinguished university now offers more than 200 majors for undergraduates, over 69 masters and doctoral programs, professional degrees in pharmacy, and veterinary medicine – a home to many aspiring students, and dedicated faculty and staff.

Forestry major was curated by the PU faculty to help students learn how to discern and implement sustainable forest management plans, and conserve forestlands, ecosystem, and forest biodiversity. They’ll have thorough understanding with ecosystem, natural and human disturbances, and policies applicable for forest and natural resources conservation. Students will be prepared for great career opportunities with public U.S. agencies, such as the State Division of Forestry, U.S. Forest Service, or in private industries and consulting firms. This program is accredited by the Society of American Foresters. 

Acceptance Rate

59.83

Student to Faculty Ratio

13:1

Texas A&M University started providing quality higher education, when it first opened and became the state’s first public institution in 1876. The state university offers up to 133 undergraduate degree programs, 175 master’s degree programs, and 92 doctoral degree programs – and it’s home to more than 69,000 students, and more at other branch campuses of the university.

Forestry degree program is offered in Texas A&M University, under the Department of Ecosystem Science and Management. It provides aspiring students advanced learning to develop their forest management, conservation, restoration in a most sustainable way. Students who are keen in forestry will have deeper knowledge, and enhanced critical thinking in solving complex, and forest-centered, and environmental issues. Apart from that, students will have broader ideas about policies, and methods to properly manage forests, protect forest biodiversity, wildlife, and natural resources. Under the supervision, guidance, and mentorship of excellent faculty, and professors, following integrated teaching methods to produce the next future foresters. 

Acceptance Rate

57.79

Student to Faculty Ratio

N.A

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University also called Virginia Tech is located in Blacksburg, Virginia, and has nine colleges and a graduate school. It offers 280 undergraduate and graduate majors and a home to 36,000 students. The university is ranked the 48th university research in the country as it’s known to be the most comprehensive university and one of the leading research institutes in the U.S.

One of the degree majors in the Department of Natural Resources and Environment is the degree in Forestry. There are a number of core areas of this major, but students may take a course based on their specific choice of field of study which are, Forest Operations and Business, Forest Resources Management, and Urban and Community Forestry these specific areas are all accredited by the Society of American Foresters. Students will be facilitated and supervised by faculty in developing their skills by hands-on field experience, lectures, internships, and research activities. 

Acceptance Rate

70.04

Student to Faculty Ratio

14:1

University of Vermont in Burlington, Vermont, was founded in 1791 and it’s the fifth oldest university in New England (after Harvard, Yale, etc.), and the 7th oldest medical school in the nation – UVM ranked the top 55 public universities. It is now offering up to 100+ bachelor degree programs, 61 master’s degree programs, 27 doctoral programs, including 35 accelerated master’s programs (where students begin working toward master’s degree as undergraduates) – A home to thousands of students and excellent, dedicated faculty and staff.

Under the Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources, the Bachelor of Science in Forestry is being offered. To help students who are keen on forestry, to broaden the students’ knowledge, and develop critical thinking skills. For these are vital for them in order to solve complex issues regarding forest ecosystems and to sustainably manage and conserve the forests. This program will provide ample and excellent experience to prepare students in their future careers, in assistance and guidance of forestry faculty – as the university highlights experiential learning through integrated and extensive real-world instructions, to one of the university-owned lands. They will conduct research activities and training opportunities for students who are taking this program, including internship, career, service-learning, and study abroad. 

Acceptance Rate

67.3

Student to Faculty Ratio

16:1

Michigan State University, has been providing quality education for all across the nation for more than 160 years now; founded in February of 1855, since then it has given a lot of opportunities to people, continued to do what a state university should and can do for nature's future aspiring professionals. Now, MSU offers 200+ academic programs, and 34 out of those programs offered were ranked top 25 nationally – the university is deemed to be one of the top public U.S. universities, and ranked in top 100 Universities, globally.

Forestry is offered under the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. This program will help the students develop their interest, and the role they’re gone fill in maintaining forests, the ecosystem, and the natural resource when they graduate in this degree program. MSU students will have wider knowledge about forestry, they will be trained through field studies, multi-disciplinary coursework, with guidance and mentorship from faculty, and modern technology. Students will enhance their critical-thinking to solve complex, forest-related issues, environmental, and natural resources issues, also they will be aware of the policies, and sustainable forest management. 

Acceptance Rate

71.12

Student to Faculty Ratio

16:1

Louisiana Tech University was founded in 1894, and has been committed to providing quality teaching, research, public service, creative activities, and more. It is home to 11,957 students, exceptional faculty members, and staff. The university offers 110 academic programs, to give students vast career opportunities. 

Under the College of Applied and Natural Science lies the degree program, Forestry. The Forestry degree at Louisiana Tech aims to prepare students or future foresters to develop their skills, and interest in managing forests; to help the students have deeper understanding, appreciate, and sustainably conserve forests and natural resources. Dedicated faculty will provide students an integrated learning approach in the field – conduct research activities, classroom lectures, and hands-on experience in the field. This will help the students gain critical thinking skills in devising sustainable management plans, and solutions in forest/environmental-related issues.

Acceptance Rate

64.09

Student to Faculty Ratio

23:1

Michigan Technological University has been providing excellent higher education since 1885, and now became one of the most acclaimed universities across the nation, and in the country; have earned praises, awards, and had multiple rankings. MT University offers more than 125 degree programs and is a home to 7000+ outstandingly smart students, with 466 excellent faculty, and 1,124 dedicated staff.

Forestry is one of the programs offered in MT University, and it highlights the easy-access, real-world experience when you enroll in this program. This program prepares students in their future role in the community as foresters.  Students will learn to develop critical thinking skills and management plans to help them deal with forest-related challenges. The faculty provides students integrated learning techniques as a way of giving them more in-depth knowledge in the field; lectures, hands-on experience, wherein students will have access in the 620-acre Michigan Tech-designated model forests, and research activities. Forestry graduates will have vast career opportunities in the future as the program is accredited by the Society of American Foresters. 

Acceptance Rate

74.31

Student to Faculty Ratio

13:1

University of New Hampshire has been providing excellent higher education for more than 150 years since it was established, and it’s now known to be one of the top-tier research universities in the country. It’s a home to more than 15,000 students, award-winning professors, 11 schools and colleges – the university is offering 200 programs in more than 100 major fields of study. 

The major in Forestry can be found in the course catalog under the College of Life Sciences and Agriculture.  Forestry is a degree program every aspiring student who wants to pursue a career in public land management should consider. Students are taught and trained to sustainably manage forest ecosystems, biodiversity, conserve natural resources, and wildlife. The Forestry program aims to produce and provide excellent career opportunities for future foresters, to give the students wider knowledge and real-life experience in the field. This also helps the students to develop necessary skills, strong knowledge, critical thinking, and to understand policies for sustainable forest management. 

Acceptance Rate

84.03

Student to Faculty Ratio

19:1

University of Tennessee is situated in Knoxville, founded in the 1794 and has made a huge impact in providing higher education. It is now deemed a premier public research institution, highly-acclaimed in producing very high research activity – the university offers 900+ programs of study including undergraduate, graduate, and study abroad programs. A home to more than 30,000 students and, 1,586 faculty, to continue providing quality education with dedication to all.

The top rated degree in forestry is one of the 900+ programs offered in the University of Tennessee, under the College of Agriculture. The department also offers a number of master’s and doctoral degree programs in natural resources if you want to pursue higher and more advanced knowledge in the field. The program aims to provide students the proficiency, and extensive knowledge in forest management – the faculty and staff conducts lectures, research activities, and hands-on experiences for the students to develop skills in sustainable forest management, and critical thinking in solving forest, and environmental-related issues. 

Acceptance Rate

78.85

Student to Faculty Ratio

17:1

The University of Missouri – Columbia has been founded since 1839 – it was the first public, land-grant, university in the west of the Mississippi river, and known to be the first Journalism school in the world. The university ranked in one of the top 10 universities in the country for undergraduate research, and is now home to 30,849 students from all 50 states and over 100 countries; offering 300+ degree programs, including master’s degrees, doctoral, and certificates. 

Natural Resource Science and Management is offered in the University of Missouri focusing on Forest Resources, to prepare students to expand their knowledge and interest in forest management. The focus of this degree program is to give students a knowledge base in fire ecology, silviculture, and forest stand dynamics in order for the aspiring foresters to decipher challenges/issues in managing forests. The degree program opens a lot of excellent career opportunities in community foresters, consulting foresters, and resource foresters, may it be in the local government, or organization, or private sectors. The students who will finish the program will be accredited by the Society of American Foresters.

Acceptance Rate

80.73

Student to Faculty Ratio

17:1

Washington State University is a land-grant public research university, founded in 1890, which is one of the oldest land-grant university in the nation, providing excellent quality of higher education, and have excelled in terms of research – the university is one of America’s leading research universities, with the Carnegie Classification R1 for having very high research activity. Today, the university is home to more than 20,000 diverse, talented students, offers 98 undergraduate majors, 78 master’s degrees, and 65 doctoral programs and grants 500+ study abroad programs.

One of the programs offered at Washington State University is the Forestry degree program which can be found within the College of Agricultural, Human and Natural Resource Sciences – School of Environment. This program is to provide a strong foundation in this field of study, in terms of conserving, preserving, and maintaining the forests and natural resources highlighting hands-on experience in forest measurements, research, and sampling. Students who are pursuing this course will have deeper understanding and broad knowledge in plants and ecosystems, Silviculture, Wildlife fire and disturbance ecology, Environmental and Natural Resource Policy; this is an interdisciplinary program which allows students explore a vast array of topics. The students will spend hours outdoors for a real-world experience, conduct research, and activities relevant to this field, with the help of the WSU expert faculty, students will develop their critical thinking skills, enabling them to address challenges and complex forest-related issues.

Acceptance Rate

75.8

Student to Faculty Ratio

15:1

West Virginia University is a public land-grant institution that has been dedicated in providing an excellent quality of higher education since 1867 – the university developed and became one of the renowned, sought-after research university in the state, because of its groundbreaking research, the University is classified R1, for having ‘very high’ research activity. It offers 360 majors in different fields of study, granting 875 students to study abroad. With over 26,839 students, and thousands of outstanding academic and research faculty – 19 of whom were named by Carnegie Foundation ‘Professors of the Year’.

Students who are interested in Forestry may take Forest Resources Management under the Division of Forestry and Natural Resources. This program is designed to give strong foundational experience for students pursuing Forestry management, to learn about the deeper context of conserving, preserving, and balancing the natural and forest resources in a sustainable manner. To enable deeper understanding about the various forest aspects such as, wildlife habitat, ecosystems, and more. This program is accredited by the Society of American Foresters which gives students vast career opportunities in the field. 

Acceptance Rate

84.28

Student to Faculty Ratio

18:1

Stephen F Austin State University or SFA was founded in 1923 and continued to provide excellent quality of higher education – it’s an independent public university in Nacogdoches, Texas. The university provides more than 120 majors or fields of study, a home to almost 13,000 students, 519 notable faculty who are committed and passionate to every students’ and community’s success. 

SFA campus is surrounded by more than 12 million acres of forests and timberland, making it more amenable in providing Forestry students real-world experience while studying forestry. There are a number of degree programs and areas of study offered under this department, including masters and doctoral degree programs. In this field of study, students are taught and trained to have deeper understanding of the different aspects of forest-related issues. Students will do research and laboratory activities, giving them access to world-class research sites and laboratories, such as Stephen F Austin Experimental Forest, East Texas Plant Materials Center, SFA Foundation Forests. To give the students real-world experience and develop their skill that will be useful in their future endeavors as Foresters. The program is accredited by the Society of American Foresters, awarding the students with vast career opportunities in the future.

Acceptance Rate

67.95

Student to Faculty Ratio

N.A

Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIU) is a public research university founded in 1869; a renowned diverse, student-centered, research-intensive and comprehensive university; classified by the Carnegie Foundation for its high research activity. It is now home to 8,466 students, and offers various degree-granting programs.

The Forestry degree at SIU is one of the Agricultural programs that provide a variety of forestry course programs that will prepare students in their future endeavors in the field of forestry, or forest management. This will help develop the students’ skills, and hone their interests in various aspects of forestry, and gain deeper understanding and knowledge in forest habitat restoration, wildlife, silviculture, ecosystems, hydrology and more. Students will have research opportunities, hands-on/real-world experience in an outstanding natural location which is a part of the integrated teaching technique conducted by the expert faculty. With the course programs offered, students will develop their critical-thinking skills to analyze the complex forest management-related issues, and demonstrate sustainable handling of the natural resources.

Acceptance Rate

66.38

Student to Faculty Ratio

13:1

University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point (UWSP) is a private university established in 1894, which provides excellent quality of higher education since then. As it continued to develop, the University ranked in multiple ranking categories recognized all over the country and became one of the ‘Best College Towns and Cities in America’. Now it incorporates three campuses and offers more than 100 academic programs, with 17 graduate programs in Fine Arts and Communication, College of Letters and Sciences, and College of Natural Resources, and home to 7,251 students, and 475 dedicated faculty and academic staff.

The College of Natural Resources at UWSP offers various areas of study, including Forestry. Students who want to pursue a degree and career in the field may take advantage of this program and receive extensive training, and gain valuable experiences. Students will have a selection of majors that may opt to, and each major offers specialization that may suit the students’ interest and preferences. This program provides in-depth knowledge about various topics/subjects encompassing the field of study, and extensive learning technique as they will have a hands-on-experience to gain valuable experience in managing, and studying forests, ecosystems, and natural resources. 

Acceptance Rate

84.52

Student to Faculty Ratio

20:1

Iowa State University (ISU) was established in March 1858, originally as Iowa Agricultural College and Model Farm and after some years, its name was officially changed to its present name. The University became renowned, and a leader in Agriculture, Engineering, Home Economics and Liberal Arts. It is now home to approximately 27,000 students, and offers world-class programs in Agriculture, Technology, Science and Art.

The Forestry degree at Iowa State can be located within the Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management. The program is designed with core courses that will be helpful as the students go on with the program, to train and provide in-depth knowledge and understanding in the different aspects in Forest and Ecosystem Management, and Natural Resources. Students will have the opportunity to analyze, interpret and understand natural history of earth science, sustainably manage forest ecosystems and wildlife, study biology, ecology, and management, and be able to disseminate environmental information and values with the public. The program will provide students integrated learning experience which includes hands-on training, lectures, and internships, that will help students develop their critical-thinking skills as they address forest management-related issues.

Acceptance Rate

92.05

Student to Faculty Ratio

19:1

The University of Idaho, is a public land-grant university founded in 1889, and became one of the leading research universities in the country, and continued developing and innovating to provide high-quality, accessible education, to breakthroughs in advanced research. The University is now home to 10,791 students, and offers more than 300 degree programs for undergraduate and graduate students.

Students who wish to pursue a degree and a career in the field of Forestry may take a Forestry program at UofI under the college of Natural Resources. Students are provided with extensive learning techniques which include hands-on learning experience, lectures and research, tackling the different aspects of the field. The program is accredited by the Society of American Foresters and is one of the top-ranked programs offered in the university, providing students state-of-the-art laboratory, and unique outdoor, experimental forest setting as part of the learning experience.

Acceptance Rate

77.76

Student to Faculty Ratio

15:1

Albright College in Reading Pennsylvania, one of the oldest, and small, and private institutions of higher learning. Albright is known for its business, psychology, and industrial and organizational psychology majors, ranked in one of the top colleges across the nation.  One of the programs offered in Albright College is Environmental Science. The college aims to help students to get ahead of their choice of field study, and interest – Forest Management or forestry.  Under this program, students will gain deeper and wider knowledge about forest ecosystems, biodiversity, land management, plant ecology, animals, wildlife, and natural resources. Students will develop their critical thinking skill as they learn to solve environmental challenges, sustainably. Albright’s dedicated and amazing faculty will assist the students to gain more knowledge in the field, by conducting research activities, and hands-on experience. 

Acceptance Rate

85.16

Student to Faculty Ratio

15:1

Best Forestry Degrees

With a number of forestry degree options to choose from, it is easy to feel overwhelmed.  We have broken down the certificate programs and degree paths in bite-size, easy to digest terms to help you make the best decision for your future.  Associated degree paths that can be supplanted or integrated with a degree in forestry can include: recreation management, parks management, wildlife biology, resource conservation, ecology restoration, climate change, fire science, GIS, wilderness studies, sustainability, and wildlife biology.  Below you will find the various forestry degree programs and a simple way to connect with accredited colleges and universities offering such programs.

Certificate Programs in Forestry

Classroom-based certificates or online certificates in forestry will typically come in two different variations: undergraduate and graduate.  The undergraduate certificates are entry-level clusters geared to provide foundational knowledge to students with little to no prior knowledge in the field of forestry.  Students earning an undergraduate certificate can expect to start in the field in entry-level jobs and work up from there.  The graduate certificates, on the other hand, are upper-level courses designed for graduate students or professionals in the field.  Graduate certificates can be used to upskill in a particular field, add new skills, prepare for career advancement, or in anticipation of a career move.

Bachelor’s Degree in Forestry

The online bachelor’s degree in forestry is a 4-year program most frequently conferred as a Bachelor of Science (BS) and occasionally a Bachelor of Arts (BA) depending on the curricular design of the program.  The bachelor’s path provides students with a cluster of liberal arts classes such as communications, English composition, and philosophy coupled with core classes to provide students with a holistic way of thinking about the world around them.  The core classes will vary from school to school coupled with the area of emphasis designated within the forestry arena.  Generally, students can expect to take classes such as: chemistry, biology, applied statistics, soils, dendrology, economics, geographic information systems, forest ecology, silviculture, watershed hydrology, harvesting, forest products manufacturing, natural resource policy, road management, and forest economics.

Master’s Degree in Forestry

Online master’s degrees in forestry, or the classroom equivalent, is a graduate-level degree conferred as a Master of Science (MS), Master in Forestry (MF), Master of Environmental Management (MEM), Master of Forest Science (MFS), or Master of Environmental Science (MESc) degree.  The program will typically last 2-3 years dependent upon course load, curricular design, and time invested to complete the thesis project.  Graduate students in most programs will have the opportunity to select a degree path that can emphasize general forestry (MF), forest resources management, forest operations (MFO), environmental management (MEM), forest science (MFS), environmental science (MES), or a master’s in business administration (MBA) joint degree.  Some accredited colleges and universities offer a 5-year program that conjoins the bachelor’s program with the master’s program (BS/MS or BS/MF) that compresses the overall length of study for qualifying students.  As yet another option, select schools offer a 1-year master’s degree for students with substantive work experience in the field of forestry science, environmental management, environmental policy, or equivalent.

Doctorate Degree in Forestry

The doctorate degree in forestry is known as a terminal degree in the field as there are no additional degrees beyond the doctoral degree.  Degrees are conferred as a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in forestry and is a 4-6 year program for most students including the completion of the board-approved dissertation project.  The PhD program is a research-latent degree that can include a variety of areas of emphasis that can include the following: biodiversity, biostatistics, community ecology, agroforestry, meteorology, environmental biophysics, ecosystems management, chemistry, environmental ethics, environmental governance, resource policy, environmental law, forest ecology, hydrology, plant physiology, industrial ecology, population ecology, pollution management, social ecology, resource economics, tropical ecology, stand development, urban development, water resource management, and environmental management.

Educational Requirements for Forestry Majors

A degree in forestry prepares individuals to work in forest settings in order to maintain ideal conditions for growth, health, and controlled clearing. Individuals who study forestry will learn about the various ecosystems in place in a given forest type, how such forests grow, and what potential dangers and factors can adversely affect a forest's development. The use of a cross section of sciences, math and business will be necessary in order to successfully complete a program in forestry. Though degrees are available at the associate level, most national level positions require a minimum of a bachelor's degree to be considered for employment.

A curriculum in forestry may include:

  • Calculus
  • Geospatial Technology
  • Dendrology
  • Forest Management
  • Wildlife Biology
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Employment Opportunities in Forestry

A career in forestry requires individuals to work outdoors regularly and for extended periods of time. This is especially true in the first few years of an individual's career where experience is gained by conducting tasks and duties under the supervision of more experienced foresters. Foresters will be required to identify the age of trees, possible increases in insect activity, dangerous molds and diseases as well as other factors when considering the health and security of a forest. Most job openings at the national level will require a minimum of a bachelor's degree or an equivalent amount of work experience to be considered for employment. State and local agencies may have little or no requirements past a high school diploma for entry level positions, though this may limit the ability for promotion in the long term.

Commercial foresters will utilize their skills to obtain lumber for various private firms. Such individuals will work with their employer, government agencies, and private lumber growth firms to determine the cost and amount of lumber that is obtainable from a given area, how much extraction is necessary, the effect of cutting down trees, and measuring other environmental factors when considering lumber deals. Commercial foresters on average will earn more than those that work with public agencies.

Job Growth and Salary Outlook for Forestry Majors

Job growth for forestry positions is expected to have little to no growth over the next ten years due to budgetary and fiscal concerns for public positions and organizations which concern themselves with forestry related work. The only expected growth is expected to come from private forests as the demand for work increases. The average salary for all forestry and conservation workers was approximately $33,000 per year. Individuals interested in forestry may also be interested in forest resources management, forest sciences and biology, and urban forestry.

Top Forestry Resources & Associations

National Association of State Foresters is a non-profit organization that has directors of national forestry organizations across the United States as members, which in turn comprises representation for two-thirds of the countries forests, both public and private. The organization was established in 1920 and has served the interests of forestry specialists through programs and partnerships since.

Society of American Foresters is a an organization established in 1900 to advance the field of forestry through technology, awareness, and training. The organization also advances the cause of forestry through accrediting programs in forestry, creating a working body that is educated and competent, and thus able to advance the field.

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