Master of Forestry Program (Non-Thesis)
The Master of Forestry program at NC State is a professional degree for students pursuing careers in forest management with private companies, federal and state governments, and nonprofit organizations. The program — accredited by the Society of American Foresters (SAF) — prepares students to take the SAF-Certified Forester Exam and most other state registration exams, including the North Carolina Registered Forester Exam. Many employers expect foresters to become certified or registered within a few years.
Students enrolled in the Master of Forestry program enjoy a broad education in natural resource sciences that emphasizes an interdisciplinary approach to managing forest ecosystems focused on sustaining resources while integrating contemporary scientific knowledge with traditional ecological practices. The curriculum covers sustainable resource use, environmental stewardship and the economic and social impacts of forestry practices.
The Master of Forestry program combines foundational knowledge with experiential learning to prepare students for success in the field. Students gain a strong understanding of forest management by learning basic principles and applying research methods in our recreational and research forests, living labs and built spaces. They also participate in teaching, leadership development and professional outreach opportunities.
The Master of Forestry program is ideal for students with undergraduate degrees in natural resources or related fields, such as hydrology, wildlife management, plant biology, and environmental sciences. Students from non-natural science backgrounds are also encouraged to apply but may need additional coursework to meet SAF standards. Graduates with a bachelor’s degree in forest management from an SAF-accredited program are not eligible to apply. The average time to complete the degree is just over two years and the retention rate of students is 100%.
Key Learning Outcomes:
- Demonstrate a strong foundation in the basic and applied natural resource sciences.
- Demonstrate a breadth of academic experience across teaching, independent and collaborative research, grantsmanship, outreach, and leadership opportunities.
- Present research in peer-reviewed journals and conference papers at venues ranging from graduate seminars to professional meetings on local, national, and international levels.
- Participate in professional organizations by becoming members and attending meetings.
- Develop a comprehensive knowledge of the literature in their field of expertise and demonstrate that knowledge effectively.
- Define critical issues and generate relevant questions within their field of expertise.
- Apply appropriate research methods to chosen research questions.
- Understand the importance and limitations of their work.
- Effectively communicate research results in both oral and written forms.
- Demonstrate an awareness of current social, economic, and environmental issues in their field, and articulate the implications of their work in relation to these issues.
Career Opportunities
A master’s degree in forestry can lead to various career opportunities. In 2023, the median annual wage for foresters with a master’s degree was $67,330. Some potential career paths for graduates include:
- Certified Forester – Assess forests for timber sale, wildlife management, pest management, economic viability, and landowner goals. Recent employers include International Paper and Rayonier.
- Consulting Forester – Offer advice and services to private landowners about the sale of forestland, landscape planning, pest control, timber stand improvement, wildlife management, timber sales, and more. Recent employers include Weyerhauser and Georgia-Pacific.
- Extension Agent – Develop and deliver educational programs to assist with economic and community development, leadership, agriculture, and environmental issues. Recent employers include NC State Extension.
- Forest Management Specialist – Execute timber surveys, develop and maintain forest maps, analyze wildfire statistics and coordinate fire control, and provide technical consulting with industry and government. Recent employers include Carolina Tree Care and Hancock Forest Management Group.
- Forestry Technician – Conduct harvest preparation, reforestation, tree stand care, erosion control, and habitat improvement, in addition to planning, assessing, inspecting, and directing forestry projects. Recent employers include USDA Forest Service and C. Maynard Johnson Consultant Forestry.
- Service Forester – Conduct wildlife and natural resource management, enforce state and federal laws, develop and implement educational programs, fight forest fires, and provide emergency response when needed. Recent employers include NC Forest Service and Alaska State Department of Natural Resources.
- Timberland Appraiser or Procurement – Appraise, buy, and sell trees, forests, and forestland. Recent employers include J.W. Jones Lumber Company, WestRock, Timbco, and Hunt Forest Resources.
General Education Requirements
To satisfy the SAF general education requirements, students should, at the very minimum, have the equivalent of:
- Two semesters of college-level mathematics or statistics (equivalent to, for example, NC State’s MA 114, MA 121, MA 131/231, MA 141/241, or ST 311)
- Two courses in the following subject areas: English composition, technical and business
writing or communications; - Two courses in the following subject areas: plant biology, terrestrial ecology, plant physiology or plant anatomy;
- One course in chemistry and a second course in either chemistry or physics;
- Two courses in humanities; and
- Two courses in social sciences.
Applicants lacking some or all of the general education courses will need to take these classes in addition to the 40 hours required for the professional component. Equivalent courses are offered at many community colleges and four-year universities and do not need to be taken at NC State.
Program Structure and Professional Project Requirements
Students in this program must complete 40 credit hours: 39 hours of traditional course work and 1 hour for a project (FOR 630). All course work is prescribed; no elective courses exist, and a research thesis is not required. Traditional course work is approximately balanced among four categories: ecology and biology, measurement of forest resources, management of forest resources, and forest resource policy, economics and administration. Many courses have outdoor laboratories, where basic principles are applied to real-world situations.
Students may write a management plan as their professional project. Other past student projects analyzed wood procurement systems, estimated growth and yield functions, assessed forest fire fighting systems, and analyzed effects of tree species introductions to the United States. Data for the project is normally collected in the summer. Click here for links to past student project reports.
Required Courses (40 hours)
Required courses are often offered only once each year, necessitating careful planning. The order shown below is recommended, but not required. Course titles followed by an asterisk (*) contain outdoor laboratories or assignments.
| Fall Semester | FOR 501, Dendrology* – 3 credits FOR 502, Forest Measurements – 1 credit SSC 461, Soil Physical Properties and Plant Growth* – 3 credits or FOR 595, Forest Soils – 3 credits FOR 574, Forest Measurement, Modeling and Inventory* – 3 credits |
| Spring Semester | FOR 504, Practice of Silviculture – 3 credits FOR 506, Silviculture Laboratory* – 1 credit FOR 534, Forest Operations and Analysis* – 3 credits GIS 510, Intro to GIS – 3 credits |
| Summer Session I or II | FOR 630, Master’s Supervised Research* – 1 credit |
| Fall Semester | NR 560, Renewable Natural Resources Administration and Policy – 3 credits or NR 571, Current Issues in Natural Resources Policy – 3 credits PB 421, Plant Physiology – 3 credits or FOR 595, Tree Physiology – 3 credits FOR 519, Forest Economics – 3 credits |
| Spring Semester | NR 500, Natural Resource Management – 3 credits FOR 565, Plant Community Ecology* – 4 credits or PB 595, Plant Ecology FOR 531, Wildland Fire Science* – 3 credits or FOR 595, Forest Health and Protection |
It is possible to take fewer courses per semester, although the degree must be completed within six years of the first course taken towards this degree. While a few of these courses can be taken online, most of the program courses require students to attend on-campus classes. For full course descriptions, please visit the course catalog.
Program Faculty
Faculty who often work with students include Joe Roise, Fred Cubbage and Jodi Forester. Students are encouraged to contact faculty directly about graduate opportunities and whether undergraduate course work satisfies the general education requirements.
Commitment to Student Support and Professional Ethics
Our college is committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for all students, offering resources through the Office of Culture and Community Excellence to enhance a sense of belonging and provide guidance throughout their academic journey.
Additionally, we follow the SAF Code of Ethics, which serves to protect and benefit society by guiding members in their professional responsibilities. This code inspires and governs our students and professionals as they navigate their careers in forestry and natural resources.