Academic Programs Catalog

The Urban and Community Forestry program at the MSU Institute for Agricultural Technology provides students with the knowledge and technical skills necessary to sustainably manage trees in an urban environment, both in Michigan and beyond. Students connect directly with urban forestry leaders and professionals to gain hands-on experience in areas
such as tree identification, tree selection, planting and pruning, climbing and aerial work, tree health care and risk assessment, and more. Upon completion of the program, graduates are often in high demand in this growing industry, and often pursue careers as urban tree planting coordinators; arborists; vegetation mapping coordinators; and urban forest technicians. 

Requirements for Urban and Community Forestry

Students must complete 48 credits from the following:

1. 1. All of the following MSU courses (39 credits):
   1. AT 293 Professional Internship in Agricultural Technology (3)
   2. CSS 203 World of Soils (2)
   3. ENT 110 Applied Entomology of Economic Plants (3)
   4. FOR 111 Field Exploration of Urban and Community Forestry (1)
   5. FOR 112 Career Development in Urban and Community Forestry (1)
   6. FOR 113 Urban Tree Care Equipment and Worker Safety (2)
   7. FOR 114 Introduction to Climbing and Aerial Tree Work (1)
   8. FOR 120 Survey of Urban and Community Forestry (2)
   9. FOR 125 Methods of Engagement in Urban and Community Forestry (2)
   10. FOR 222 Forestry Field Methods (3)
   11. FOR 225 Urban Forestry Information Technology (3)
   12. FOR 235 Urban Tree Care Practicum (3)
   13. FOR 240 Crew Leadership and Management in Arboriculture (2)
   14. FOR 245 Capstone Experience in Urban and Community Forestry (2)
   15. GEO 221 Introduction to Geographic Information  (3)
   16. GEO 221L Introduction to Geographic Information Laboratory (1)
   17. HRT 211 Landscape Plants I (3)
   18. PLP 105 Fundamentals of Applied Plant Pathology (1)
   19. PLP 105L Fundamentals of Applied Plant Pathology Lab (1)
2. 2. Complete at a minimum of 9 elective credits from the list below or as approved by the program coordinator in the Institute of Agricultural Technology.
   1. AT 45 Agricultural Communications (2)
   2. AT 71 Technical Mathematics (2)
   3. AT 195 Research and Practice in Agricultural Technologies (3)
   4. AT 202 Agricultural Regulation, Compliance and Safety (3)
   5. AT 214 Leadership Development in Agriculture and Natural Resources Industries (2)
   6. AT 221 Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) in Agriculture (4)
   7. CSS 110 Computer Applications in Agronomy (2)
   8. CSUS 200 Introduction to Sustainability (3)
   9. HRT 213 Landscape Maintenance (2)