Human Dimensions of Natural Resources Graduate Certificate

The primary objective of the Human Dimensions of Natural Resources (HD) Graduate Certificate is to equip professionals from diverse disciplinary backgrounds with a proficiency in social science methodology and skills that are essential for solving complex natural resource management challenges in our society.
The certificate is administered by the Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management (PRTM) Graduate Program with primary support from the interdisciplinary multi-college Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology (FWCB) Graduate Program. This certificate is intended for students in interdisciplinary graduate programs at NC State University who tackle natural resource management issues, including those in cultural heritage areas. It is also open to students from outside the university with similar interests.
Plan Requirements
Course Requirements
Prerequisite: Graduate status
Course Requirements: 12 credit hours (Master’s and Doctoral)
Required Courses:
- PRT 550 – Human Behavior and the Environment
- FW 511 – Human Dimensions of Wildlife and Fisheries
Approved Electives
PRTM Courses: PRT 555, PRT 560, PRT 575, PRT 700, PRT 701, PRT 705, PRT 706, PRT 730
FWCB, GIS, NR, FER Courses: FOR 509, FOR 515, FW 730, GIS 710, NR 500, NR 511, NR 512, NR 548, NR 560, NR 571, NR 595
CHASS Courses: ANT 516, ANT 550, ANT 575, COM 536, COM 579, HI 540, HI 587, PA 507, PA 515, PA 526, PA 527, PA 550, PA 552, SOC 763
Education & Public Science: EMS 551, EMS 552, PSC/GOH 550
College of Design: LAR 520, LAR 535, LAR 542
Additional electives (e.g., special topics) may be approved on a case-by-case basis by program administrators with appropriate justification.
Application Process
Admissions Requirements
To be admitted to the program, students must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (lower GPAs may be considered on a case-by-case basis). A standardized entrance exam is not required.
How to Apply
Current NC State Graduate Students at NC State University
Notify your advisor/committee of your intention to complete the certificate program.
The HDNR Graduate Certificate program (GCERT) and your current graduate degree at NC State University (Masters or Doctoral) do not have to be completed at the same time and up to 12 hours of GCERT coursework can be double counted between the GCERT and your current graduate degree. If you are interested in adding the HDNR Graduate Certificate to your current Masters or Doctoral degree you should complete the following form: Graduate Certificate Application a semester before you plan to graduate.
Prospective Students (not currently enrolled at NC State)
- Submit your application using the NC State University Graduate School Online Application (opens in a new tab)(opens in new window) website.
- You must have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university, and a GPA of 3.0 or greater.
- Applicants with less than a 3.0 are still welcome to apply. Work experience, performance in individual, relevant courses, a strong graduate GPA, etc., can sometimes offset a low undergraduate GPA. We will consider all of this when making admissions decisions.
- A transcript is required when applying to the certificate program. (An unofficial transcript can be uploaded by the applicant within the application, but it must show a degree conferral date.)
- Official Transcripts:
To be considered an official transcript, it must be sent directly from the institutions to NC State University. Most institutions have mechanisms in place to directly send an official transcript to NC State electronically, which is preferred. Request your official transcripts be sent in this way if possible, or have the institution send the transcript directly using the address below: - The Graduate School
North Carolina State University
1020 Main Campus Drive
Room 2320B, Campus Box 7102
Raleigh, NC 27695
- Official Transcripts:
- Resume/CV highlighting any internship/work experience and acquired skill sets
- A Personal Statement is a required component of the application, and should include:
- Career and academic goals
- Reason for pursuing the certificate
- Students with a GPA < 3.0 should address this in their personal statement and explain why they would still make a good candidate for the certificate.
- The GRE is NOT required
Undergraduate NC State Students
If you are a NC State undergraduate interested in taking courses towards the HDNR Certificate, you must first talk with your advisor and email the Program Coordinator.
Per the Graduate School Policy, undergraduate students who wish to enroll in graduate level courses (500 and above) may only transfer six (6) credit hours into the certificate program for courses not taken as part of another degree requirement. Therefore, to receive the Human Dimensions of Natural Resources (HDNR) Graduate Certificate, current undergraduates can only take six (6) credit hours of 500 level HDNR courses before graduation. Upon graduation, the student must apply to the graduate certificate program through the Graduate School using the steps above to complete the remaining courses. The same course restrictions apply.
Non-Degree Students (PBS)
Students enrolled in Post-baccalaureate Studies (PBS) through NC State can transfer a maximum of six (6) credit hours (B or better grade) into the certificate program. PBS students wishing to do this must apply to the graduate certificate program following the procedures above for students not currently enrolled in a graduate program to complete the remaining credits and earn the certificate.
Application Review Process
- The Certificate Admissions Committee reviews each application and makes a recommendation to the Graduate School.
- Following that review, the NC State Graduate School will notify you of acceptance or denial to the program.
- The program sends a personalized welcome letter once you have accepted the offer and are cleared by the Graduate School.
Got questions?
Contact our Graduate Program Assistant, or Lincoln Larson, associate professor.
Human Dimensions Certificate Faculty
Parks, Recreation & Tourism Management
- Dr. Lincoln Larson (PRTM Lead, PRT 550 Instructor)
- Dr. Bethany Cutts
- Dr. Myron Floyd
- Dr. Aaron Hipp
- Dr. Yu-Fai Leung
- Dr. Erin Seekamp
- Dr. Kathryn Stevenson
- Dr. Jelena Vukomanovic
Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Biology – Forest & Environmental Resources
- Dr. Nils Peterson (FWCB Lead, FW 511 Instructor)
- Dr. Robert Abt
- Dr. Caren Cooper
- Dr. Fred Cubbage
- Dr. Jason Delborne
- Dr. George Hess
- Dr. Madhusudan Katti
- Dr. Chris Moorman
- Dr. Rajan Parajuli
- Dr. Jennifer Richmond-Bryant
- Dr. Erin Sills