Getting an online forestry master’s degree is an excellent way for those working in related careers or who want to work in resource management to gain the skills and knowledge to advance. While a forestry major may conjure images of park rangers chasing after bears, foresters today do much more than police parks for errant wildlife. Graduates of forestry master’s online programs work as environmentalists, land lease specialists, conservationists, agriculture developers, natural resource guides, wildlife biologists, and other green careers.
There are no online forestry master’s programs accredited by the Society of American Foresters (SAF), as accredited programs require in-person instruction, often included at the bachelor’s degree level. For online forestry master’s degrees that prepare students for fisheries and also marine management, no accreditation body applies. However, the master’s in forestry online programs on our list will equip you with the skills you need for government, nonprofit, business, agriculture, or industrial careers.
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Many workers decide to become certified by one of the professional associations in this field, but employers don’t always require it. The associations require education related to the certification, and preparing for professional certification is a goal for many students. The classes in the programs on our list can qualify you for certification in forestry, fisheries management, wildlife biology, or other environmental careers. The wide range of careers for those with an online forestry master’s degree means that there is no single certification or license for jobs.
Attending online forestry master’s programs allows graduates to apply to the SAF to become Certified Foresters. If you have a forestry master’s online degree or a related natural resource degree with specific coursework, you can apply to become a Certified Forester even if the SAF does not accredit your degree program. To maintain and renew your certification, you will be required to take continuing education credits.
If fisheries management interests you, the American Fisheries Association (AFS) offers the option to become an Associate Fisheries Professional. The coursework in a master’s in forestry online with a speciality in fisheries should satisfy those requirements, but if this certification is one of your goals, check with the program and the AFS to ensure you will be eligible once you graduate.
For wildlife biologists, an online forestry master’s degree specializing in wildlife can meet the education requirements to become an Associate Wildlife Biologist with The Wildlife Society (TWS). In addition, with five years of work experience past the online forestry master’s degree, wildlife experts can upgrade their certification.
Conservation and environmental management students may choose to get certified by the Academy of Board Certified Environmental Professionals (ABCEP) or the National Registry of Environmental Professionals. These are options for a wide range of careers. The coursework in an online forestry master’s will meet the education requirements for several of these certifications. Specific work experience or passing an exam may also be required to attain certification.
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Because forestry science involves time outside for almost all positions, there are fewer online choices for this degree than for some other majors. However, the online programs we list offer students the chance to advance their careers in forestry or environmental management while continuing in their current careers.
Many programs require current employment in a related position, allowing students to apply their learning to their day-to-day job duties. Some programs require an internship as part of the program, providing hands-on experience that allows students to apply their knowledge in real-world situations. This is useful if a student’s current employment is not directly related to their study subject, even if it might be in a related industry. For example, the Professional Science Masters in Fisheries and Wildlife Administration from Oregon State University requires an internship or cooperative education experience with a business, NGO, research facility, or natural resource agency as part of the curriculum.
For students who want to get certification from the SAF, ASF, TWS, or another professional group, check with the program and the requirements for certification. You may already have the necessary coursework to get an entry-level certificate in your specialty. Still, since there is no programmatic accreditation for most master’s in forestry online programs, you will need to find out if your combination of work experience and academic records will allow you to apply for certification. The faculty at the school you are considering can also provide information about certification requirements. Not all forestry, fisheries, or resource management workers need certification, but they can help enhance your career.
As you consider which program to choose for your online forestry master’s degree, you want to ensure that the program is from a school with institutional accreditation. All the programs on our list are accredited by an agency approved by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or the U.S. Department of Education. These agencies make sure that the school has high standards for academics, student interactions, financial integrity, and appropriate governance.
Most forestry master’s online programs take two to three years to complete, and some will let you take up to seven years to finish. Others want you to complete the program in just three years, so you need to ensure you will have time to fit in your coursework and other obligations. The classes you will take online are often asynchronous, meaning you can log in anytime to complete your work. But you may also need to find times to collaborate with your peers or professors in real-time.
When choosing an online forestry master’s program, the exact name of the degree is less important than the curriculum. The online forestry master’s degrees can be called MS in Forestry, Master of Fisheries & Aquatic Sciences, or Master of Science in Environmental Management. But all are graduate degrees that will give you that master’s credential. However, for your area of specialty and career goals, you may need specific courses to qualify for the jobs you seek. Therefore, check the curriculum of the program you are considering to ensure it includes coursework in your area of interest.
Courses in an online forestry master’s degree can include:
In addition to online courses, students may need to complete a capstone project, which involves fieldwork and a written paper. Some programs also require you to pass an exam to graduate. Each program will provide advising faculty to help you plan your courses and final project.
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The requirements for applicants to online forestry master’s degrees vary, but here are the most common ones:
GRE/GMAT scores are not required for application to most online forestry master’s programs. International students will need to submit extra documents, including scores on English proficiency tests and translated copies of transcripts, if your native language is not English.
Some online forestry master’s degrees require that you currently work in specific positions and therefore require proof of work experience. For instance, applicants to the Master of Forest Biomaterials program at North Carolina State University should be employed in paper or allied industries. They must show this on the resume they submit as part of their application.
While most online forestry master’s programs expect applicants to have an undergrad degree in a related field or at least to have foundational courses in biology and other science, some programs allow people looking to change careers to apply for admission. Clemson University’s Master of Wildlife and Fisheries Management allows students without environmental science backgrounds to apply but requests GRE scores and may require additional coursework to bring the student up to speed in the field.
The average cost for the online forestry master’s degree programs on our list is $18,250. The most affordable program is the University of Missouri-Columbia, with a cost of $13,037. The most expensive program we list for the master’s in forestry online is Texas A & M University, with a cost of $25,394, which is still reasonable for students at this level.
If you want to use your love of the outdoors, nature, plants, and animals in the work you do, then a online forestry master’s degree can help you get the higher salaries available for careers in resource management, conservation, forestry or marine management, and industries related to natural resources. Jobs exist in government agencies related to natural resources and parks, industries that interact with forest or marine environments, research institutions, and nonprofits working on conservation.
Jobs for graduates of online forestry master’s degrees fall within the broad category of Life, Physical, and Social Science careers with the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which are expected to grow 7% over the next ten years. This rate is consistent with anticipated growth across the economy as a whole. Although the numbers don’t reflect a significant rise in the need for resource management careers, current media and worldwide attention focused on climate change, water shortages, biodiversity, and conservation may increase the need for these professions.
Here are some possible jobs for graduates of online forestry master’s programs, along with median salaries:
These are just a few of the possible job titles for graduates of online forestry master’s degrees. You might also consider working for the federal government for some of the highest salaries. While you can find jobs across the US, many of the highest-paying jobs are in Washington, DC. There are employment opportunities with the following government agencies and departments:
Jobs in industries such as paper and pulp, energy, water treatment, and commercial fisheries are just a few of the options with private employers. Any large company that uses natural resources may employ environmental scientists and foresters. In addition, nonprofits like the Sierra Club that work on conservation hire specialists of all types. While some industry and nonprofit jobs will pay over $100,000 per year, some will be somewhat less. With an online forestry master’s, you are likely to earn on the higher end of the pay scale for positions in forestry and environmental science.
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If you have a deep passion for the natural world and its abundant life, pursuing an online forestry master’s degree can elevate your expertise and also unlock new opportunities in resource management. Discover the range of online forestry master’s degrees on our site and kickstart your journey today by submitting your information. Harness the power of knowledge and take your career to new heights in the field of forestry.
