The MS is a research-based degree. The student is expected to work closely with a faculty advisor to develop a research topic and a program of study. Students who complete a thesis are expected to publish their findings in peer-reviewed journals. A non-thesis option is also available that requires additional coursework and a research project.
Admission Requirement
- Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline from an accredited institution
- GPA: 3.2 on a scale of 4.0
- Graduate Record Exam (GRE)*
* The GRE requirement may be waived on a case-by-case basis.
Course Requirements
All students in the HDNR Emphasis Area are required to participate in the HDNR seminar course, and to take at least one course from each of three categories:
- Human dimensions methods
One course from the following:
- NAT_R 7024 Foundations of Environmental Education
- F_W 7220 Human Dimensions of Fish and Wildlife Conservation
- NAT_R 8430 Research Methods in Parks, Recreation and Tourism
- Quantitative and/or qualitative data analysis
One course from the following:
- NAT_R 7001 Observing the Earth from Space
- NAT_R 8024 Program Development and Evaluation in Informal Settings
- NAT_R 8500 Qualitative Analysis for Environment-Society Inquiry
- Social science theory
One course from the following:
- PRST 7250 Parks, Health, and Wellness
- NAT_R 7353 Natural Resource Policy and Administration
- PRST 7340 Recreation Land Management
- PRST 8400 Constructs of Leisure
- PRST 8436 Visitor Behavior & Policy
- F_W 8510 Ecology Conservation & Environmental Justice
Each student’s coursework requirements, including the selection of specific courses in the above categories, will be listed in the student’s plan of study and approved by their graduate committee.
Thesis Option
Students in the thesis option will complete 30 credit hours of coursework with no more than 12 credits for thesis research. Students choosing the thesis option will prepare a written research proposal and make an oral defense of that proposal within 12 months of their initial enrollment in the program. Students in the thesis option will submit a written thesis following the guidelines specified by the Graduate School. In their final semester in the program students selecting the thesis option must be enrolled in NAT_R 9087 Human Dimensions of Natural Resources Seminar, present a public seminar on their thesis that is announced at least two weeks before the date of the seminar, and present an oral defense of their thesis.
Non-Thesis Option
Students in the non-thesis option will complete 36 credit hours of coursework with no more than 12 credits for project research. Students choosing the non-thesis option will be required to write a project plan and defend a project plan within 12 months of their initial enrollment in the program. Students choosing the non-thesis option will write a technical report on their project. In their final semester in the program students selecting the non-thesis option must be enrolled in NAT_R 9087 Human Dimensions of Natural Resources Seminar and present a public seminar on their project that is announced at least two weeks before the date of the seminar.