Rangeland Ecosystem Science

Master of Science (M.S.)

More Information

For distance education and registration questions:

Jenny Hannifin
Continuing Education
(970) 491-2665
jhannifin@learn.colostate.edu

For admission or advising questions:

Larry Rittenhouse, Ph.D.
Forest, Rangeland, and Watershed Management
(970) 217-2859
larryr@cnr.colostate.edu

Degree Requirements and Curriculum

Requirements

To complete this degree, you may select Plan A, which requires applied research and a formal thesis, or Plan B, which requires a professional paper.

Plan A - Thesis Option

Minimum of 30 semester credits of graduate work.
Minimum of 24 semester credits earned at Colorado State, 21 of which must be earned after formal admission to the University.
Thesis (maximum of 6 of the 30 credits).

Plan B - Professional Paper Option

Minimum of 32 semester credits of graduate work.
Minimum of 24 semester credits earned at Colorado State, 21 of which must be earned after formal admission to the University.
Professional Paper (maximum of 6 of the 32 credits). Download an explanation of the Professional Paper.

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 (information listed on the left of this page) about the course selection that works best for you.

Required Courses

NR 440 - Land Use Planning (3 cr.)
RS 500 - Advanced Rangeland Management (3 cr.)
RS 531 - World Grassland Ecogeography (3 cr.)
RS 552 - Range Animal Management and Production (4 cr.)
RS 651 - Primary Production and Decomposition (4 cr.)

Students will take at least one of the following two courses based on their choice of Plan A or Plan B:

RS 698 - Research (6 cr.)
RS 699 - Thesis (1-6 cr.)

Electives (select at least seven 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.)
NR 550 - Introduction to Sustainable Military Lands Management (3 cr.)
NR 551 - Cultural Resource Management on Military Lands (3 cr.)
NR 552 - Ecology of Military Lands (3 cr.)
STAT 511 - Design and Data Analysis for Researchers I (4 cr.)
STAT 512 - Design and Data Analysis for Researchers II (4 cr.)

Degree at a Glance

Delivery

Required courses are delivered online. Elective courses are delivered via DVD/VCD or 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. (financial aid available)

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.

What You Will Earn

You will earn the same regionally accredited Colorado State University degree that a student on the Fort Collins campus is awarded. Your diploma and transcript are identical to those given to on-campus students.