{"id":13882,"date":"2017-09-12T10:41:16","date_gmt":"2017-09-12T14:41:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cnr.ncsu.edu\/fer\/?page_id=13882"},"modified":"2026-04-27T09:46:04","modified_gmt":"2026-04-27T13:46:04","slug":"non-thesis-master-of-forestry-program","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/cnr.ncsu.edu\/fer\/graduate\/programs\/non-thesis-master-of-forestry-program\/","title":{"rendered":"Master of Forestry Program (Non-Thesis)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n\n\n
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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 \u2014 accredited by the Society of American Foresters<\/a> (SAF) \u2014 prepares students to take the SAF-Certified Forester Exam and most other state registration exams, including the North Carolina\u00a0Registered\u00a0Forester Exam. Many employers expect foresters to become certified or registered within a few years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n

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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.<\/p>\n\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n

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Many courses include outdoor laboratories, where basic principles are applied to real-world situations<\/strong>.<\/h2>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n\n <\/div>\n\n\n <\/div>\n \n\n\n\n

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\u2019s 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<\/a> and the retention rate of students is 100%. <\/a>

Our students graduate prepared for a wide range of professions \u2014\u00a0from consulting forestry to restoration ecology. In 2025, the\u00a0median starting salary<\/a>\u00a0of graduates with a B.S. in forest management was $76,413 with a 93% job placement rate within three months of graduation. Job\u00a0opportunities for foresters<\/a>\u00a0have been increasing over the last 10 years, with approximately 400 jobs in North Carolina and 12,000 jobs nationally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Key Learning Outcomes:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n