Listed below are the approved requirements for the program from the official Academic Programs Catalog.
Students must consult their advisors to learn which specific requirements apply to their degree programs.
College of Agriculture and Natural Resources
Department of Forestry
Graduate Study
Forestry - Doctor of Philosophy
The Doctor of Philosophy degree in Forestry provides advanced education to prepare future scholars and leaders who advance knowledge about forested ecosystems and help resolve issues that challenge the provision of forest ecosystem services at local, regional and global scales. The program is research-intensive and students will produce original applied or fundamental research of quality comparable to a two to four peer-reviewed publications in a scientific journal.
In addition to meeting the requirements of the university and of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, students must meet the requirements specified below.
Requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Forestry
- Complete the following course (2 credits):
FOR 802 Forest Science Research 2
- Complete a program of study approved by the major professor and guidance committee to meet the student’s educational and career goals.
- Complete at least 24 credits and no more than 36 credits in FOR 999 Doctoral Dissertation Research.
- No more than 1/4th of the program of study can be from transfer credits. Graduate credits may be transferred from other postsecondary accredited institutions of comparable academic quality if they are appropriate to a student’s program and were completed within the time limits approved for the earning of the degree at MSU.
- Comprehensive examinations must be completed within five years from the time when a student begins the first class at MSU that appears on the student’s doctoral program of study.
- Successfully pass the final oral examination in defense of the dissertation.