The College of Forestry and Conservation offers four different Master of Science degrees: the Master of Science in Forestry, the Master of Science in Recreation Management, the Master of Science in Resource Conservation, and the Master of Science in Wildlife Biology. The Master of Science in Wildlife Biology degree is administered through the Wildlife Biology program in The College of Forestry and Conservation and has unique admission and degree requirements (see the
Wildlife Biology Website).
Master of Science in Forestry, the Master of Science in Recreation Management,
and the Master of Science in Resource Conservation Programs
Prospective graduate students should send application materials to:
Director of Student Services
College of Forestry and Conservation
The University of Montana
Missoula, MT 59812
A complete application must include:
- completed application form;
- statement of specific interest in pursuing a graduate education at The University of Montana. This statement should outline the applicant’s area of desired specialization and faculty members previously contacted regarding graduate study opportunities. Applicants are encouraged to contact individual faculty members in their area of interest to determine faculty interest, space availability, and funding opportunities;
- three letters of recommendation;
- official transcripts of all college work;
- official Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores; and
- official Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores if applicant’s native language is not English.
The Student is responsible for completion of the application file. Please note that applications sent to us by Fax are not acceptable. It typically takes 6 to 8 weeks from the date of your TOEFL or GRE examination for the scores to be reported. Application files are checked periodically and the student is informed of any materials that are lacking. No action will be taken on any incomplete application files.
Applications for fall semester admission will be reviewed beginning 31 January
preceding the fall in which admission is desired. Application for spring
semester will be reviewed beginning 31 August preceding the spring in which admission is desired. Because the School processes applications from more qualified applicants than it can admit, submission of application by these dates is highly recommended.
The College of Forestry and Conservation welcomes applications from women and men of all backgrounds who seek an intellectually challenging education. All students must be familiar with the requirements and procedures established by the Graduate School for their particular graduate degree. These requirements are available on the
UM Graduate School homepage.
Preliminary decisions regarding acceptance will be made using the following criteria: minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0, and Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores of 500 verbal, 600 quantitative, and 4 analytical. For applicants whose native language is not English, the minimum TOEFL score is 550. GRE scores for applicants whose native language is not English will be evaluated in the context of the applicant’s English-speaking abilities. Applicants who do not meet these minimums may still be considered for provisional admission if other aspects of the application show professional will place greater emphasis on work experience and plans for graduate study than on grades and GRE scores.
Further evaluation is made of letters of recommendation and the applicant’s statement of specific interest. The latter is important because the final criterion for accepting an applicant is the willingness of a faculty member to serve as an advisor. The statement of specific interest is used to identify faculty members whose interests most closely match those of the applicant. Under no conditions are persons accepted without the approval of a faculty member who will serve as the major professor.
Provisional admission is sometimes granted to strong candidates who fail to meet one or more of the requirements listed above, but who have other outstanding qualifications. Provisional status may also be granted to students who are otherwise qualified but lack the necessary academic background in their specific area of graduate study. Normally, students admitted under provisional status will not be considered for full admission until they have completed any deficiencies and taken a minimum of on semester of study. During this period they must have completed any deficiencies and taken a minimum of 9 graded graduate credits with a GPA of at least a 3.3. If, at the end of one semester, the GPA is less than 3.3, the student is advised in substantial progress is demonstrated. All courses taken for graduate credit while a student is on provisional status count toward the degree requirements.
Students must enroll in the semester stated in their acceptance letter or in the subsequent semester. If students need to defer for the first semester, they need to get approval from their major professor, and then they need to contact the UM Graduate School to make sure the necessary paperwork is completed. Unless prior arrangements have been made, students not initiating degree work within this time period must reapply for admission.
An advisor is assigned to the student at the time of admittance to the program. The advisor must be a faculty member in the College of Forestry and Conservation. The student and advisor will jointly select a committee as soon as practical. The committee shall consist of the advisor as Chair and two or more additional faculty members, one of whom must be from another school of department in the University. Half of each committee must be faculty members in the College of Forestry and Conservation and have attained at least the degree level sought by the candidate. Exceptions require approval of the Dean of the College of Forestry and the Dean of the Graduate School. If committee members are selected from non-University organizations, care must be exercised to insure that no possible conflict of interest exists. Under no circumstances shall an off-campus employer or work supervisor of the candidate serve as a voting member of the candidates committee. The same restriction applies to the off-campus agency individuals who have direct responsibility for the funds supporting the student’s research.
After verbal agreement has been received from the prospective committee, the student will complete the committee appointment form that can be obtained from the main Forestry Office. The Dean will consider the appropriateness of the committee, resolve any perceived difficulties with the advisor, and submit a formal request to the Graduate Dean for approval.
The student, with the major professor, will develop a program of study. This program, together with a proposed thesis or professional paper, if required, must be reviewed by the student’s permanent file. The committee may make reasonable changes to the coursework outline after later evaluation.
Students should consult The
UM Graduate School homepage
for additional information on other degree requirements, transfer credit policies, and residency requirements.
All students must be familiar with the requirements and procedures established by the Graduate School for their particular graduate degree. These requirements are published on the
UM Graduate School homepage.
Thesis Option
The thesis option introduces the student to in-depth research techniques and procedures. It is designed for students wishing to specialize in a particular field of study through the preparation of a thesis. A student pursuing the thesis option may change to the non-thesis option with the approval of the student’s graduate committee. All master of Science degree programs offer the thesis option.
This option requires a minimum of 30 graduate credits. Of these credits, up to 10 credits may be in thesis (FOR, RECM, or WBIO 699), research (FOR, RECM, or WBIO 697), or independent study (FOR, RECM, or WBIO 596) courses. Half of the remaining credits must be in courses numbered 500 and above and must include 1 credit of Graduate Seminar (FOR, RECM, or WBIO 594) or equivalent and an approved research methods course (such as FOR 501) or equivalent. Students who will be working with any quantitative aspect of resources should take MATH 444 and 445 together with the companion computer labs. Other suitable courses emphasizing analytical skills can be substituted at the discretion of the student’s committee.
A final oral examination will be scheduled after the thesis has been reviewed by the committee. This exam is primarily a defense of the thesis. However, questions related to coursework or the student’s general knowledge will also be considered germane. In addition, a formal seminar will be scheduled as part of the thesis defense. This seminar is to be advertised and open to the public. The seminar must be on the results of the student’s thesis research, but does not have to be at the precise time of the defense or oral examination.
Non-thesis Option
The non-thesis option is available for those students who wish to pursue a more comprehensive coursework schedule as opposed to substantial time spent in independent research. Selection of this option is based upon consultation between the student and the major professor. A student taking the non-thesis option may change to the thesis option. All master degree programs in Forestry offer the non-thesis option subject to the approval of the student’s graduate committee.
Students selecting the non-thesis option must complete a minimum of 36 graduate credits approved by the student’s committee. Up to 4 credits from research (FOR, RECM, or WBIO 697) may be part of this required load. The Graduate School requires that half of the 36 credits must be at the 500 level or above. If research credits are earned, half of the remaining credits must be at the 500-level or above. Two credits of Graduate Seminar (FOR, RECM, or WBIO 594) are required. The remainder of the required credits must be in regularly scheduled classes. Students
who will be working with any quantitative aspect of resources should take MATH 444
and 445 together with companion computer labs. Other suitable courses emphasizing
analytical skills can be substituted at the discretion of the student’s committee.
Each non-thesis program will conclude with a written examination and/or a final oral examination. These exams are administered by the student’s committee. These examinations may be monitored by the Dean’s office or representatives of the College of Forestry and Conservation Graduate Committee to ensure adequate rigor. A unanimous favorable decision of the committee is considered passing. The opportunity to repeat the examination is at the discretion of the committee.