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Brenda Lackey, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs
Room 100, Trainer Natural Resources Building
Phone: 715-346-2076
Email: brenda.lackey@uwsp.edu
Web: https://www.uwsp.edu/cnr/Pages/UW-Stevens-Point-CNR-Graduate-Programs.aspx?ControlMode=Edit&DisplayMode=Design#

The College of Natural Resources offers two different graduate degrees:

• Master of Science (MS) in Natural Resources :
  This is a thesis-based program leading to the MS degree with an emphasis in one of the following areas: forestry, wildlife, fisheries, water resources, environmental education/interpretation, soil science or waste management. This degree will prepare you for a research or management career, or for further study leading to a PhD.
• Master of Natural Resources (MNR) : 
  This is a non-thesis program offered completely online. The MNR is for advanced practitioners in natural resource management (and related fields) who are seeking a terminal degree to develop research, leadership, administrative, and communication skills. The degree is intended to assist participants in pursuing management roles within their current organizations and to enhance their professional abilities for promotion consideration. This degree will prepare you for a career in natural resources management.

Admission to the Master of Science Program 

Please submit the following:

1. UW-Stevens Point application for graduate study which includes official transcripts for all college courses.
2. Application to the College of Natural Resources graduate program
3. Resume
4. Copy of a paper written by you
5. Essay describing your professional interests and goals
6. Two letters of recommendation
7. Official Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores, if available. A waiver to this requirement may be granted by the Associate Dean if the GRE has not been taken at the time of application AND for international students only; TOEFL or IELT Scores. Minimum guideline scores for each test are as follows:
   1. For the GRE, you must have a minimum combined Verbal and Quantitative score of at least 300.
   2. For the TOEFL, you must have a score of at least 80 on the Internet-based test.
   3. For the IELT, you must have a score of at least 7.
8. You must also have a 3.00 grade point average during your last two years as an undergraduate.

If you fail to meet the minimum admission requirements for GRE, TOEFL, IELT scores or grade point average, you may be accepted if your prospective adviser submits a letter of acceptance to the Associate Dean for inclusion in your graduate file.

You do not need an undergraduate major in one of the natural resource specialties. However, you may have to take additional courses to make up deficiencies in your undergraduate curriculum. If you have an undergraduate major in social sciences or humanities, you could have more deficiencies than someone with a major in the sciences.

Admission/Acceptance to our Master of Science program involves two parts:

1. Your graduate application file must be complete, meaning all your application items have been received by the College. (Please follow the steps indicated on our Application Procedure page)
2. You, as the student applicant, must recruit a member of the CNR graduate faculty to agree to serve as your graduate adviser. It is up to you to contact faculty members directly who share your interests and discuss your application. Graduate faculty members may request additional materials from a student applicant.

If the CNR Main Office is notified by a graduate faculty member that they agree to serve as your graduate adviser AND all your application materials are received, then an acceptance letter will be sent to you. If you have not been successful in recruiting a graduate adviser, then you are not accepted into our program. As a courtesy, letters are sent to unsuccessful graduate program applicants usually in July or August for the fall semester and January for the spring semester.

Admission to the Master of Natural Resources Program

Please submit the following:

1. College of Natural Resources MNR application
2. UW-Stevens Point application for graduate study which includes official transcripts of all college work.
3. Resume
4. Essay describing your professional interests and goals
5. Two letters of recommendation
6. Foreign applicants must submit TOEFL or IELT Scores with minimum scores of 80 or 7 respectively
7. Official transcripts of all college work

You must have a 3.0 GPA during the last two years of undergraduate or graduate study. If your GPA is under the 3.0 minimum you may request a panel review of your application for a waiver to that requirement.

Post Baccalaureate Concentration in Environmental Studies (for teacher licensure)

If you are a teacher with a license in secondary science you may receive licensure in environmental studies after completion of this concentration. Additional requirements include completion of Praxis II, Professional Development Portfolio, and student teaching at the appropriate developmental range and certification area. For more information, contact the School of Education  at 715-346-2040.

Programs

• Natural Resources, M.N.R.
• Natural Resources, M.S.

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