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Natural Resources Masters Program

Degree Program Outcomes – Master of Natural Resources Degree


The mission of the Natural Resources Masters Program is to prepare students for management positions in public and private agencies and contribute to improving resolution of increasingly complex resource management problems through education, research, and applied projects. Toward that mission, we have outlined specific program objectives and outcomes by degree type to help align our students’ and faculty’s expectations. Below, is listed the program objectives with detailed expected outcomes for the Master of Natural Resources degree.


Program Outcomes for Master of Natural Resources:


1. To guide the graduate education of students preparing for professional careers, the program aims to provide a variety of experiences that help students to:



  1. develop expertise in appropriate concepts, theories, and emerging methodologies from fundamental disciplines pertaining to natural resource stewardship

  2. attain experience in applying their knowledge to ongoing, real-world issues in natural resource management and policy

  3. present their projects to local, regional, national, and international audiences through a variety of venues including departmental seminars and publication of project results in appropriate venues such as trade journals or agency reports, and, when applicable, present their projects at meetings or conferences

  4. broaden their professional backgrounds through participation in activities such as teaching, taking part in research projects, joining professional organizations, and participating in outreach and service.


2. To prepare students professional practice and for effective stewardship of natural resources at local, regional, national or international scales, the program aims to provide a variety of experiences that help students to:



  1. become independent and self-motivated, with the ability to recognize problems in their technical field of expertise and formulate solutions to the problems

  2. develop a comprehensive knowledge of previous and current literature in their field of expertise which will contribute to successful practice in their professions

  3. gather, organize, and report data effectively

  4. apply sound methodologies and work ethics to problems in management or sustainability of natural resources and describe the methods effectively

  5. when appropriate, perform statistical analyses of project data and be able to interpret the results clearly

  6. effectively communicate project results to stakeholders


3. To maintain and improve the program’s leadership position nationally and internationally, the program aims to:



  1. continue to attract and retain high-quality students

  2. provide effective mentoring that encourages students to graduate in a timely manner

  3. place graduates in positions in industry or government

  4. maintain a nationally recognized faculty that is large enough and appropriately distributed across natural resource disciplines to offer students a wide range of technical fields of expertise.


Click here to see Program Outcomes for the Master of Science in Natural Resources degree >>


Final Paper Guidelines


Final Paper Guidelines and Submission Form (with instructions)


Read final papers from Master of Natural Resources students >>

Degree Program Procedures

Each Natural Resources Graduate Student must complete the following actions listed below for graduation.

1. By the end of the second semester, cooperate with your advisor to form a Graduate Committee consisting of three or more persons, including the advisor/s, who are related to your discipline and prospective research and meet the requirements laid out in the NCSU graduate handbook.

2. By the end of the second semester, select appropriate courses for the core requirements and technical option, in conjunction with your advisor/s and the Graduate Committee, and enter the courses selected in the Degree Audit for your degree. 

3. Update the Degree Audit as any courses taken change. 

4. Prepare a satisfactory written MNR Project or M.S. Thesis based on appropriate quantitative or qualitative data and analyses. 

5. Ensure that the final Degree Audit matches the course record and meets all degree course requirements, and apply to graduate in your final term. 

6. Give a public presentation of the project or thesis and hold an oral exam about them and your courses with your committee.