Graduate Programs

How is wood formed? What goods and services do our forests provide, and how can we nurture and sustain the benefits? How does wildlife affect humankind, and vice versa? Discover underlying, complex ecosystems. Explore wildlife migratory patterns. Assess plant populations, and probe the genetic characteristics of species.

Study carbon production, or the dynamics of wildlife and insect populations. Delve deep into the impact of anthropogenic operations on wildlife. Study forest trees using whole-plant, subcellular, and functional genomics approaches. Make significant contributions to the fields of molecular genetics and forest science with advanced training. Establish your scientific or scholarly career studying fundamental questions that affect natural resource ecosystems and management situations in social and ethical contexts.

Join our graduate program and become part of a community of researchers dedicated to preserving and enhancing our forests, addressing critical environmental challenges, and making your mark on the world of science. Your journey here will be a transformative experience, equipping you with the knowledge and skills to drive innovation and positive change in the realm of forest science and conservation.

Master's Degrees

Forest Ecology and Management—MS

Study ecological services and processes in natural forests and managed landscapes, from nutrient cycling to bird habitat, and the impact management has on forest organism products and functions.

Applied Ecology—MS

Gain the advanced tools and understanding to take on contemporary environmental challenges in natural and human-dominated ecosystems, and where they intersect, lakeshores to peatlands.

Forest Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology—MS

An emphasis on lab-based work to explore life process and genetic controls of forest organisms as they relate to their environment.

Professional Master's Degrees

Master of Forestry

No need for a forestry background. Take your bachelor's degree into the field to get you where you want to be: outdoors, doing work that sustains both a fulfilling career and the environment. 

Master of Geographic Information Science

Map, analyze, and present geospatial data, rural landscapes to megacities. Expand on your bachelor's degree (any field) with project-based advanced learning. Enter the workforce with a skill set that can take you anywhere.

Online Professional Master's Degree or Certificates

Foundations in Geographic Information Science for Natural Resources Certificate

The first of three online certificates in Geographic Information Science. Compelte 9 credits of resource management, map design, and field techniques. Earn one certificate at a time, or all three (others to roll out later in 24') to complete an online Master of GIS degree. 

Doctoral Degrees

Forest Science—PhD

The research degree requires candidates to demonstrate advanced ability in course work and innovative research work in the areas of forest ecology, soils, silviculture, tree improvement, forest wildlife ecology and management, economics, inventory, geographic information systems, growth and yield, wood science, and forest biology. It is awarded in recognition of demonstrated mastery of subject matter in forest science, and demonstrated competency through research investigations that represent a significant contribution to the cumulative knowledge in the field.

Forest Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology—PhD

The research degree requires candidates to demonstrate advanced ability in course work and innovative research work related to molecular genetics of a forest species, and/or applying that knowledge to development of industrial products and processes. It is awarded in recognition of demonstrated mastery of subject matter in molecular genetics, and demonstrated competency through individual research investigations that represent a significant contribution to the cumulative knowledge of this field.

  • 6.500
    square feet of lab space
  • 2,000
    square feet of greenhouse space
  • 5,397
    acres of research forest

Application Process and Admissions Requirements

Applications are reviewed on an individual basis using a holistic approach. Fill out our free graduate application online to apply to any of our programs. Official transcripts and scores are not required for the initial application, although you will need to upload them later.

From the Director

Molly Cavaleri

  • Associate Dean & Professor
  • Director of Graduate Studies

Get to know us. Talk to who you want to work with. Grow in your research.

If you have questions about graduate study in our College, please contact me directly. I'm happy to help and look forward to meeting you.

We invite you to explore your options for a graduate degree here—where you will find some of the top forestry, ecology, wildlife, and biotechnology programs in the country, and research ranging from wetland carbon recycling in tropical ecosystems to sustainable biomass techniques in Michigan forests. Our affinity for the natural world brings us together socially and intellectually, from Friday coffee, to interacting one-on-one with experts at weekly seminars, as well as work and play in the Keweenaw Peninsula, where Michigan Tech has 5,264 acres of research and recreation forests.   

It's about being a member of this scholarly community, and having opportunities to diversify. Our most successful applicants have identified who they want to work with. You'll find faculty contact information, a rundown of our ongoing research, published research, and opportunities for graduate assistantships.