Rangeland Ecosystem Science Master of Science
This program, a conservation-oriented master's degree focusing on rangeland management, serves professionals who have undergraduate degrees in other natural resource or biological science areas and who want advanced training in natural resource management concepts and procedures.
Program Requirements
The degree is available with a thesis (Plan A) or non-thesis (Plan B) option in which the student writes a scholarly paper based on literature reviews, surveys, and other information sources.
- Minimum of 30 (Plan A) or 32 (Plan B) semester credits of graduate work.
- Minimum of 24 semester credits earned at Colorado State, 21 of which must be earned after admission to the Graduate School.
- Thesis for Plan A degree (a maximum of 6 of the 30 credits).
- Professional paper for Plan B (a maximum of 6 of the 32 credits). Download an explanation of the Professional Paper.
Program Curriculum
Because of the flexible and interdisciplinary nature of this program, you can take the core courses and select additional courses to fit your professional goals and interests. Talk with the degree advisor listed below about the course selection that works best for you.
Required Courses
Students will take at least one of the following two courses:
- RS 698 - Research (6 cr.)
- RS 699 - Thesis (1-6 cr.)
Electives (7+ credits)
- FW 356 - Leopold's Ethic for Wildlife and Land (3 cr.)
- FW 357 - Wildlife Habitat on the Great Plains (3 cr.)
- FW 576 - Wildlife Policy, Administration and Law (3 cr.)
- NR 501 - Leadership and Public Communications (3 cr.)
- NR 515 - Natural Resources Policy and Biodiversity (3 cr.)
- STAT 511 - Design and Data Analysis for Researchers I (4 cr.)
- STAT 512 - Design and Data Analysis for Researchers II (4 cr.)
Application and Admission Requirements
This program follows the general admission or Track II admission requirements and procedures with the following adaptations:
- A 3.0 GPA on all undergraduate course work.
- GRE score, minimum 1000.
- Personal essay.
More Information
About distance education and registration:
Michele Sterling
(970) 491-2520
msterling@learn.colostate.eduAl Powell
(970) 491-6226
apowell@learn.colostate.edu
About the curriculum or admissions:
Dr. Larry Rittenhouse
Advisor
(970) 217-2859
larryr@cnr.colostate.edu
Degree at a Glance
Delivery
Online and correspondence. On-campus attendance is not required to complete this program.
Total Credits
Plan A - 30 credits
Plan B - 32 credits
Tuition
See Tuition and Fees or individual courses.
Time Frame
Can be completed in two years. Program duration may vary based on previous course work, intensity of study, and course availability. Summer courses are not required.
Designed For
Professionals wanting to advance careers or update skills in natural resource management concepts and procedures; environmental consultants; members of environmental groups, government natural resource management agencies, or non-governmental agencies working in natural resources.