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The Graduate School at the University of Missouri–Columbia (Mizzou)

Forestry Graduate Programs

Official Graduate Catalog Entry: To the Index
Contact Information
School of Natural Resources

Admission

Contact Information
  • 203 ABNR; Columbia, MO 65211
  • 573-882-8835
Forestry admission page

Admission Criteria

  • Fall deadline: June 30
  • Spring deadline: October 15
  • Minimum TOEFL score: 500/173 (paper/computer)
  • Minimum GRE score: none set
  • Minimum GPA: 3.0 in last 60 hours

Particular attention is given to the record of the last 2 years of undergraduate study, and/or the type and quality of professional experience since completion of the undergraduate degree. Doctoral candidates must demonstrate a higher level of achievement in each of these criteria.

Required Application Materials

Financial Aid from the Program

Some programs require an extra form or statement from those who wish to be considered for internal assistantships, fellowships or other funding packages. Check the program Web site or ask the program contact for details.

A limited number of research assistantships are available. They are awarded based on the following criteria:

  1. demonstrated scholastic accomplishment
  2. scores on the GRE
  3. experience related to the proposed field of study

About the Programs

Graduate research programs leading to the MS or PhD in forestry are designed to prepare students for careers in academic institutions, consulting firms, non-governmental organizations, industry and state and federal agencies.

Plan of Study

Research

Forestry graduates interested in research or teaching may concentrate much of their course work in one or more of the related sciences with a thesis appropriate to forestry. Dissertation research may be directed toward the solution of problems faced by the practicing forester or may consist of fundamental investigations pertinent to the solution of such problems.

Areas of Study

Specialized graduate education is available in agroforestry, biometrics, community and landscape ecology, dendrochronology, economics, entomology, fire ecology, hydrology, physiological ecology, physiology, policy, silviculture, soils, forest management, stand dynamics, water quality and wood quality.

Partnerships

Students often conduct joint research with natural resource specialists at the Northern Research Station (United States Forest Service), the Missouri Department of Conservation, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, the National Park Service and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.

Facilities and Resources

Facilities available for research include well-equipped biometrics, ecology, dendrochronology, hydrology, physiology and wood quality laboratories in the Anheuser-Busch Natural Resources Building on campus at Columbia, the Horticultural and Agroforestry Research Center (HARC) and the Baskett Research Area.

Horticultural and Agroforestry Research Center

The HARC is a 540-acre tract about 30 miles northwest of campus near New Franklin, Mo. It is in the loess hills overlooking the Missouri River Valley and is well-suited for agroforestry, agronomic and horticultural field studies.

Baskett Research Area

The Baskett Research Area, 20 miles south of Columbia, is 2,300 acres. A field station with weatherized buildings and a shade house are maintained on the area.

Schnabel Woods

Schnabel Woods, 12 miles southwest of Columbia, is an 80-acre old-growth tract in the River Hills region of Missouri. It is near the Missouri River and consists of a variety of hardwood stands ranging in composition from oak-hickory to sugar maple.

Additional Locations

In addition, lands of the United States Forest Service, United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Corps of Engineers, National Park Service, Missouri Department of Conservation and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources are available for certain studies. Numerous research projects have also taken place on private lands.