Graduate DegreesAdmission RequirementsApplying

Graduate level study in the Natural Resources, Recreation, and Tourism (NRRT) major is designed to provide understanding and appreciation for the management of natural resources for outdoor recreation and nature-based tourism opportunities. Helping students to better understand the "human dimension" aspects of managing natural resources is an integral part of the NRRT major.

We seek to provide students with practical real-world skills and tools needed to identify, understand and manage complex human/environment issues. This includes an emphasis on understanding significant historical developments, developing services and programs, managing for recreational impacts, and recognizing the importance of sustainable development.

The curriculum offers opportunities for students to study abroad on one of our many international programs including Antarctica, Australia, Belize, Fiji, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom. Some of the courses offered in the major include: Tourism & Sustainable Development, Outdoor Recreation & Environmental Awareness, Wilderness Management, Parks & Ecotourism Management, and Natural Resources Recreation.

Graduates of this program are trained and qualified to seek employment in a variety of federal, state, and local land management agencies, and with various private, non-profit, educational, and regional conservation organizations. Students are also actively encouraged to participate in faculty research projects.

GRADUATE DEGREES

The Natural Resources, Recreation, and Tourism faculty and the Warnell School of Forestry & Natural Resources (WSFNR) welcome applications from individuals interested in Graduate School. Within the major prospective graduate students have three degree choices (i.e., MFNR, MS or PhD). These are more fully described below.

The MFNR Degree
This degree is ideally suited for students who want additional instruction and training in Natural Resources, recreation and Tourism. The MFNR requires a minimum of 33 semester hours of graduate level course work, but additional courses may be required by the student's Advisory Committee. No thesis is required.

The MS Degree
An MS is a research degree designed for students who want to specialize in a particular academic or scientific area. This degree is for students who plan an academic or research career, and for those students who plan to pursue a PhD. The MS requires a thesis and a minimum of 30 semester hours of graduate level course work, 12 hours of which must be in courses open to graduate students only, and three hours of which must be in FORS 7300 (thesis).

The PhD Degree
The PhD is frequently required for research and academic positions, but especially for university faculty positions. The PhD is often regarded as a degree of specialized education within a relatively narrow field of expertise. The PhD requires a dissertation and a minimum of 30 hours of consecutive course work, at least 16 hours of which must be in courses open to graduate students only. Also, at least two consecutive semesters of full-time course work or the equivalent must be spent in resident study on this campus.

Prospective graduate students are strongly encouraged to correspond directly with individual faculty members to obtain more detailed information about their research and teaching interests (see the "Contact Us" link).

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Grade Point Average
Generally, for admission to the graduate program, students are expected to have had a GPA of 3.0. However, other factors contribute to the admission decision, including letters of reference, prior experience in the field, availability of a suitable major professor, or other experiences or qualifications that may indicate potential for graduate study.

Graduate Record Examination (GRE) Scores
The Warnell School of Forestry & Natural Resources (WSFNR) requires a combined score of at least 1000 (verbal plus quantitative) for master's level applicants and a combined score of at least 1200 for doctoral level applicants. Find more information on the GRE at www.gre.org.

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) Exam
The Graduate School requires a score of at least 550 (written) or 213 (computer) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) for students whose native language is not English. Find more information on the TOEFL at www.toefl.org.

Letters of Recommendation
Close attention is given to the opinions of former teachers, employers, and others familiar with your potential to complete a graduate program successfully and to benefit from it.

Major Professor
Acceptance to the graduate program of the WSFNR is based on the above-mentioned criteria and availability and willingness of a faculty member to serve as a major professor.

APPLYING

The Graduate Admissions Office prefers that prospective graduate students submit their applications electronically, through the University's web pages:

E-mail: gradadm@uga.edu
Web Address: www.gradsch.uga.edu/admissions

Prospective graduate students are strongly encouraged to apply as early as possible up to one year in advance of their desired starting date. Please Note: If you wish to be considered for an assistantship you must meet the application deadline of January 1 to be considered for a University-Wide Assistantship and a deadline of February 1 to the considered for a Warnell School of Forestry & Natural Resources (WSFNR) Assistantship. If you are accepted by the WSFNR School as a prospective degree candidate, you automatically will be considered for an assistantship; however, funds are limited.

The application package of the University of Georgia requires that all prospective graduate students send the following materials:

1. A completed application form with application fee ($50). Application can be completed online at www.applyweb.com/apply/ugg.
2. Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended.
3. Official Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores.
4. For students whose native language is not English, official TOEFL scores.

Graduate Program
Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources
University of Georgia
Athens, GA 30602
Phone: (706) 542-1183

The Graduate Coordinator
Laurence "Laurie" Schimleck (Ph.D)
Office: 4-330 Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources
Phone: (706) 542-1183
E-mail: graduatecoordinator@warnell.uga.edu

The Graduate Program Administrator
Rosemary M. Wood
Office: 1-217 Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources
Phone: (706) 542-1183
E-mail: gradinfo@warnell.uga.edu