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To apply, please contact the program coordinator, Annie Smith, FOR.hybridMS@msu.edu.

The application deadline is January 31, and we only admit students in summer semesters.

Application Requirements:

GRE Scores
3 Letters of Recommendation
Academic Statement (maximum: 250 words)
Personal Statement (maximum: 200 words)
CV/Resume
Transcripts (official)

Please consider the following points when preparing your written statements and requesting letters of reference:

Explain your motivation for pursuing a career in forestry, including how you came to decide on this path, what life experiences you have had that inform this choice, and any experiences that you feel prepare you for success in this field.
Make sure that your statements and letters of recommendation assess your maturity, leadership experience, and work ethic, preferably supported with examples.
The Hybrid MS degree program, and many careers in forestry, demand proficiency in math (mostly algebra and some trigonometry), technical writing, and computing. In terms of computing, we expect incoming students to be proficient in the use of spreadsheets (e.g. MS Excel) for data management and calculations, and we expect them to be able to learn to work in new computing platforms such as ArcGIS. Be sure to provide a self-assessment of your proficiencies in these areas. If you can, be sure to highlight any work or educational experiences that demonstrate these.
Many people, including some of the instructors in this program, struggled academically in their undergraduate years. This does not preclude you from acceptance in this program, or from a successful career as a professional forester. However, if this was your experience, please be sure to address any past academic struggles in your personal statement and describe any later experiences that document your subsequent growth and development in any areas where you may have had early struggles.
Hybrid MS courses typically require 12-15 hours a week per course. Please address your ability to devote the time necessary to succeed in these courses.