College of Agriculture & Natural Resources Department of Forestry

Who can I contact to see if the program is a good fit for me? 

Please contact the program coordinator, Annie Smith, FOR.hybridMS@msu.edu.

Are there sample program timelines?

Yes, please use the 1-2-3-4-Year Path Examples to view sample program timelines.

Are courses offered more than once per year?

No, the courses are only offered once a year. Please refer to the following breakdown:

• Spring: FOR 419, 466, 468, 833, 838 (elective: FOR 837)
• Summer: FOR 810 (August) & 898 (May)
• Fall: FOR 812, 814, 816, 818 (electives: FOR 831, 835, 861, 875)
• Semester of Choice: FOR 493 (internship) - can be taken any time throughout the program

Are there requirements for my internship?

• All internships require approval from Jim Rivard. Please chat with or email the internship details to rivard12@msu.edu. Once approved, the program coordinator can assist you with enrollment.
• After approval, don’t forget to enroll in the course. Many students get their internship lined up and forget to enroll in the 1-credit course (FOR 493).
• Upon completion, a copy of your pay stub and a one-page write-up of your responsibilities/experience during your internship are required.

What kind of time commitment does it take for the program? 

• Approximately 12-15 hours per course per week.

How do the two in-person courses (FOR 810 & FOR 898) work?

• FOR 810 (9-day course) – The first course is a prerequisite to all the other courses in the program. It typically takes place at the U of M Biological Station in Pellston, MI at the beginning of August. 
• FOR 898 (9-day course) – This is the last course required to complete the program. It typically takes place at the U of M Biological Station in Pellston, MI at the beginning of May.

Are there additional costs on top of tuition? 

• Yes, there are additional costs associated with the program. Please refer to the Tuition & Program Fees - Department of Forestry webpage for additional costs.

How can I view a course syllabus so I can make the most informed decisions?

• Please contact the program coordinator, Annie Smith, FOR.hybridMS@msu.edu to request a syllabus.

How do I know what books are required for a course?

• There are several ways to determine if you need a book for a course:
  • Use the ‘Class Search’ function in the Student Information System (SIS).
  • If you are enrolled and added to the course in D2L, the instructor will sometimes post books for purchase. Many times, your instructor will tell you about books on the first day of class.
  • Contact the course instructor.

Are the RECR and GradPlan components of the program required to graduate?

• Yes, both of these components are required and must be completed before you can graduate. These requirements are presented in student orientation, the grad handbook and via email reminders throughout the program.

Do I need to make sure I have a particular type of laptop/software to be successful in the program?

• Yes, please make sure your laptop meets the following specifications AND has at least 16GB of RAM.
• For FOR 419, you will want a Windows 11 (or higher) computer with at least 16GB of RAM.

How can I be involved and stay connected to other forestry graduate students?

There are a few great options to stay connected!

• You can join the Graduate Student Organization (GSO) meetings that are in-person or online! Parker Hopkins (phopkins@MSU.EDU) can answer any questions regarding this group.
• There are Hanover Seminars that are an excellent way to see what is happening in the department and give you the chance to hear some interesting talks from different folks. There is an in-person and Zoom option for the seminars.
• Forestry Club (remote options are offered, but it is more directed towards students that are in-person)