Graduate Studies

The School of Natural Resources (SNR) at the University of Missouri (MU) is one of the leading educational institutions in the nation emphasizing an integrated approach to natural resource management. The graduate degree program is similarly integrated.

SNR offers one graduate degree, in Natural Resources, with seven emphasis offerings that span the disciplines, including water resources; agroforestry; human dimensions of natural resources; fisheries and wildlife sciences; forestry; parks, recreation and tourism; and soil, environmental and atmospheric sciences.

Emphasis Areas

Agroforestry

Degrees offered: MS
Graduate Coordinator: Michael Gold, PhD

Agroforestry, an integrated land use system that integrates crops and/or livestock with trees and shrubs, is gaining recognition as an integral component of a multifunctional working landscape. While agroforestry has been gaining attention in the U.S. and worldwide, the need for trained professionals in agroforestry also has been expanding. The Center for Agroforestry at the University of Missouri’s on campus and online master’s degree programs are helping to fill that void.

Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences

Degrees offered: MS, PhD
Graduate Coordinator: Craig Paukert, PhD

The Fisheries and Wildlife (F&W) emphasis area is designed to prepare students for a professional career with state and federal agencies, private conservation organizations, consulting firms or academic institutions.

Forestry

Degrees offered: MS, PhD
Graduate Coordinator: Hong He, Ph.D.

The Forestry emphasis area is designed to prepare students for careers in academic institutions, consulting firms, industry and state and federal agencies.

Human Dimensions of Natural Resources

Degrees offered: MS, PhD
Graduate Coordinator: Charles Nilon, PhD

The Human Dimensions of Natural Resources emphasis area (HDNR) addresses research and management questions including peoples’ attitudes, knowledge, values, perceptions, and behaviors associated with natural resources. As an interdisciplinary emphasis area, HDNR considers applicants with backgrounds in social sciences, environmental education, natural resources management and conservation, or related disciplines.

Parks, Recreation, Sport and Tourism

Degrees offered: MS, Accelerated BS in Parks, Recreation and Sport to MS
Graduate Coordinator: Michelle Brimecombe, PhD

Since virtually everyone participates in some form of leisure, the primary benefit of the Parks, Recreation, Sport and Tourism (PRST) master’s degree is to address quality of life issues. The unique interaction of people, places, and activities establish our profession as one of the world’s largest industries. Students learn how to manage leisure service delivery systems by combining theory with practice. This degree is designed to prepare students for advanced positions in the parks, recreation, tourism and sport profession or admission into doctoral programs.

Soil, Environmental and Atmospheric Sciences

Degrees offered: MS, PhD
Graduate Coordinator: Neil Fox, PhD

The emphasis area in Soil, Environmental and Atmospheric Sciences (SEAS) is designed to prepare students for professional careers in research, teaching or application of basic concepts of soil, environmental, and atmospheric sciences to air-plant-soil-water and other environmental problems.

Water Resources

Degrees offered: MS, PhD
Graduate Coordinator: Alba Argerich, PhD

The Water Resources emphasis area is an interdisciplinary graduate degree program encompassing all fields of natural sciences and, through collaboration, involves expertise from throughout the University of Missouri (MU).

The geographic location of MU in the prairie-forest ecotone allows directed research to better understand water movement, biogeochemical cycling, biological and ecohydrological processes of flowing and impounded waters in forested-agricultural and urban landscapes of the midcontinent.

Note

The University of Missouri is an equal access, equal opportunity, affirmative action employer that is fully committed to achieving a diverse faculty and staff. Equal Opportunity is and shall be provided for all employees and applicants for employment on the basis of their demonstrated ability and competence without unlawful discrimination on the basis of their race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, genetic information, disability or protected veteran status. Applications from individuals with membership in a group that is historically underrepresented or underserved in Natural Resources or through other training or experience are encouraged. Please check out MU’s Emerge Initiatives.