Non-credit Courses

The MSU Department of Forestry is pleased to offer non-credit course options for individuals interested in online learning. These courses are a great fit for those looking to expand their knowledge on topics of forestry outside of a degree-granting program.

Courses are taught at three levels: introductory (lower division undergraduate), intermediate (upper division undergraduate), and advanced (graduate). All participants that complete a course will receive a “Certificate of Completion." There are no pre-requisites for participation in these courses.

Available Non-credit Courses

Note: for-credit versions of courses listed below are available. Participants interested in earning graduate credit will need to complete an application for a graduate program. This can be part of a larger graduate program or can be completed as a standalone course. The enrollment deadline is the first day of the course. Contact us immediately if you will require a late enrollment.

 

Michigan's Forests

Available: Fall semester: Aug 28 – Dec 10

    • Ecological, social and economic roles of Michigan’s forests in historic and contemporary context.

    • Geographic similarities and differences in forest resources.

    •  This course is taught at the introductory undergraduate level by Jarred Saralecos, saraleco@msu.edu.

      Register

  

Introduction to Forestry

Available: Fall semester: Aug 28 – Dec 10

    • Historical development of forestry.

    • Forest growth, protection, management, and products.

    • Relationship of national and world economy and policy to forestry.

    • This course is taught at the introductory undergraduate level by Jarred Saralecos, saraleco@msu.edu.

      Register

 

R Programming for Data Sciences

Available: Summer Session 2: July 5 - August 18

            • This course teaches programming in R and use of associated open source tools. Addressing practical issues in documenting workflow, data management, and scientific computing.
            • This course is taught at the graduate-level by Dr. Andy Finley, finleya@msu.edu

              Register

 

Contemporary Issues in Forests and the Environment

Available: Fall semester: Aug 28 – Dec 10

    • Role of forests in environmental quality and human well-being. 

    • Topics include the role of forests in: mitigating climate change, creating rainfall, promoting human psychological health, and providing the materials for carbon-storing wooden skyscrapers.

    • This course is taught at the introductory undergraduate level by Richard Kobe, kobe@msu.edu.

      Register

 

Business Innovation Toward a Sustainable Bioeconomy

Available: Fall semester: Aug 28 – Dec 10

    • Role of forest bioproducts in developing sustainable communities.

    • Resource planning and availability for value added bioproducts.

    • Bioproducts supply-chains analysis and principles of life cycle implementation.

    • This course is taught at the intermediate undergraduate level by Raju Pokharel, raju2020@msu.edu, and David DeYoe, deyoedav@msu.edu.

      Register

 

Forest Ecosystems, Carbon and Climate Change

Available: Fall semester: Aug 28 – Dec 10

    • Forest ecosystem analysis and measurement, with a focus on policy and science of the global carbon cycle and climate change.

    • This course is taught at the intermediate undergraduate level by David Skole, skole@msu,.edu.

      Register

 

Forest Carbon Policy, Economics and Finance

Available: Fall Semester: Aug 28 – Dec 10

        • Policy, economic and financial dimensions of the development and implementation of forest-based climate change mitigation projects, including: the role of forests in international agreements and policy, finance and investment approaches to forest carbon sequestration; emissions trading; biofuels; and valuation of ecosystem services.
        • This course is taught at the graduate level by Dr. Runsheng Yin, yin@msu.edu.

          Register

 

 

Available Non-credit Courses with the MSU Forest Carbon and Climate Program

Understanding Forest Carbon Management

This in-depth short course provides a robust overview to the connections between forests, climate, and human decision-making. The course builds confidence in foundational science, unpacks land management specific to carbon (including carbon crediting and other initiatives) and offers action paths for various decisions.

New in 2022: UFCM has been completely refreshed and includes breakout learning opportunities for deeper assessment into key domestic and international contexts. The course is also now available in English and Spanish!

This self-paced course is estimated to take 6-8 weeks to complete and is offered throughout the year according to this schedule: 

      • Start date: January 9 (available for 3 months)
      • Start date: May 9 (available for 3 months)
      • Start date: August 9 (available for 3 months)

This course is led by the MSU Forest Carbon and Climate Program (FCCP) and was developed in partnership with the USDA. Additional details including discount eligibility can be found on the Forest Carbon and Climate Program short courses page.


Register 

 

Available Non-credit Mini Courses

Forest Certification and Climate Change

Learners will develop a robust understanding of forest land values and ecologic services linking carbon management and climate change mitigation activities with forest certification.

This self-paced course is estimated to take 2-3 weeks to complete and is offered throughout the year according to this schedule: 

      • Start date: January 9 (available for 3 months)
      • Start date: May 9 (available for 3 months)
      • Start date: August 9 (available for 3 months)

This course is led by the MSU Forest Carbon and Climate Program (FCCP) and was developed in partnership with the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI). Additional details including discount eligibility details can be found on the Forest Carbon and Climate Program (FCCP) courses page.

Register 

 

FCCP Intensive: US Regions

The FCCP Intensive: US Regions are short online learning experiences designed to take learners beyond the basics of forest carbon science by providing an in-depth analysis of trends, challenges, and opportunities for a chosen US region: Pacific Northwest US, Northeast US, or Southeast US (coming soon).

This self-paced course is estimated to take 2-3 weeks to complete and is offered throughout the year according to this schedule: 

      • Start date: January 9 (available for 3 months)
      • Start date: May 9 (available for 3 months)
      • Start date: August 9 (available for 3 months)

During registration, please specify which regional learning module and course period you would like to join.

Note: This course is intended to supplement the FCCP short course, Understanding Forest Carbon Management

This course is led by the MSU Forest Carbon and Climate Program (FCCP) and developed in partnership with the Northern Institute of Applied Climate Science (NIACS). Additional details including discount eligibility details can be found on the Forest Carbon and Climate Program (FCCP) courses page.

Register  

 


How do I enroll?

Enrollment is a very simple 3 step process:

      • Step 1 – Purchase the course of interest at our cashnet storefront.
      • Step 2 – Our online education specialist will create your course access and will share additional details with you via email at the address used to purchase the course.
      • Step 3 – Login to D2L (Desire 2 Learn) to access your course homepage. Your course will be available on the first date of the academic semester. View academic calendar

Questions?

Any questions can be directed to the online education specialist.

For-credit versions of these courses are available to MSU undergraduate and graduate students. If you are interested in participating in a formal degree-granting program through the Department of Forestry, please visit our undergraduate page or our graduate programs page to learn more.

 

Course Refunds and Administrative Policies

A course refund is available for participants that withdraw from a short course within a specific timeframe from the date of the course start date. The MSU Department of Forestry non-credit course program follows the University-wide policy regarding course fee and tuition refunds, which can be viewed in full through the MSU Office of the Controller.

Non-credit Courses

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