Forestry Undergraduate Program

Related Information

Major Curriculum (PDF)
Dual Degree (PDF)
Dual Degree Worksheet (Excel)
Forestry Individualized Studies Application (PDF)

Minor

A minor in Forestry requires a minimum of 15 credit hours of coursework in the Forestry curriculum. Six credit hours may be taken in courses numbered below 3000, while the remaining nine hours must be taken in courses numbered 3000 or above.

Being a forester is more than just working with trees. Foresters are stewards of the land. They not only care about the trees, but they also care about the land the trees grow on and the other plants and animals that live in the forest.

If you're interested in protecting wildlife habitat and the environment while meeting the ever-growing human demand for wood products, clean water, outdoor recreation and scenic beauty, then a career in forestry is right for you.

Career Opportunities

A bachelor's of science degree in forestry from the School of Natural Resources will provide you with all the skills you'll need to succeed in a wide variety of forestry careers.

You can individualize your degree program by choosing a degree option that prepares you for the career field that most interests you. Some forestry careers you might consider include:

Forest Resource Managers often are employed by state and federal agencies, such as the Missouri Department of Conservation and the U.S. Forest Service, to manage public forests. They are responsible for promoting forest health, increasing biodiversity, protecting endangered species and providing wildlife habitat.
Urban Foresters work for cities and other municipalities. They are responsible for maintaining and improving the health and appearance of trees found in parks and other public spaces. Urban Foresters also work with citizens to plan neighborhood tree plantings, to protect trees during development, and to answer various forestry questions.
Industrial Forest Managers work for private companies that produce wood products, such as Georgia Pacific and International Paper. They are responsible for managing industrial forests to produce high-quality timber products in an environmentally responsible way. These foresters ensure that their forests produce all the materials the world demands from the timber industry.

Research/Internship Opportunities

As a forestry student, your chances to gain real-world field experience through research and internships are almost as limitless as the trees you'll work with.

As part of your technical training, you'll spend six weeks during the summer in field studies at University Forest in the Ozark forests of southeast Missouri.

You can spend a summer working side-by-side with MU forestry faculty on research such as the Missouri Ozark Forest Ecosystem Project (MOFEP) or any of a number of multidisciplinary studies.

Opportunities for internships also exist with state and federal agencies, such as the Missouri Department of Conservation and the U.S. Forest Service, and with private companies in the forest industry, such as Georgia Pacific and International Paper.