Graduate Degree Requirements

A baccalaureate degree in any social or natural science field and at least a 3.0 GPA for the last 90 quarter credits (or 60 semester credits) of your undergraduate program is required.

Recommended background includes two years of natural resources-related work experience and basic courses in biology, ecology and economics.

Locate an adviser

Before submitting your application for this program, please make sure you have a major adviser. Faculty advisers help guide you through the program and offer mentoring as you work toward your degree. We have compiled a list of possible faculty who you may contact and request them as an MNR program adviser. 

Application deadlines:

Fall term: May 1
Winter term: September 1
Spring term: January 1
Summer term: March 1

Applicants for the Master of Natural Resources (MNR) program should:

1.  Apply for admission to the Graduate School at Oregon State University by following the instructions provided under Step 1. Application to Oregon State University:  complete an online application form (as a degree-seeking graduate student), pay the $60 nonrefundable application fee by credit card, and have official transcripts of all previous college coursework mailed to the Graduate School by your prior college's registrar:

Graduate School
300 Kerr Administration Bldg
Oregon State University
Corvallis OR 97331-2121
Telephone: 541-737-4881
Fax: 541-737-3313
E-mail: graduate.admissions@oregonstate.edu
Web site: http://oregonstate.edu/admissions/graduate.php

2. Request admission to the MNR Graduate Program by sending:

a. A cover letter requesting admission to the program that includes a statement of objectives with a description of your professional and educational experience, why you seek admission into the MNR program, and a description of your idea for a capstone project.

b. Three letters of professional reference on official letterhead in sealed envelopes. 

The cover letter and letters of reference should be sent directly to:

Dr. Badege Bishaw, Program Director
Master of Natural Resources
Department of Forest Ecosystems and Society
321 Richardson Hall
Oregon State University
Corvallis, OR 97331-5752
badege.bishaw@oregonstate.edu

and

3.  Take or have taken the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) within the past five years and have your official scores sent to The Graduate School at Oregon State University at institution code 4586. Advanced test scores are not necessary.

 

International applicants must also send the following documents with their application materials:

4.  Official TOEFL scores or IELTS scores sent by the testing agency to OSU at institutional code 4586 (TOEFL). No institution code is required when sending IELTS scores. English language proficiency demonstrated by a minimum TOEFL score of 550 (paper/pencil test) or 80 on the Internet-based test with all sub scores 18 or above. IELTS test scores can be used as a substitute for TOEFL scores. The score must be 6.5 or above. Scores must be less than 2 years old at the time of the applicant’s registration for classes.  View OSU Admissions TOEFL information here.

and

5.  A certified English translation of the official academic transcripts in addition to official transcripts in the original language.

All graduate admission application materials should be submitted by the deadlines listed on the Graduate School Application Deadlines page.

Admitted Students

Upon acceptance to OSU and admission to the MNR program, students must submit any additional official transcripts required, including those showing all earned degrees. You will be unable to register until all official documents have been received, showing: 

• The last 90 quarter credits (60 semester credits) of graded course work in the first baccalaureate degree.
• All course work completed after the first baccalaureate degree. 
• A minimum 3.0 GPA.

Non-degree students:
The admissions steps and other listed requirements (described above) apply only to graduate degree-seeking students. Non-degree seeking students who may later wish to apply to the MNR program or other graduate degree program should be aware that a maximum of 6 credits earned as a non-degree seeking student may be transferred to a graduate certificate or degree program.  For additional details, please refer to the Graduate Admission Policy as it pertains to non-degree graduate status students.  You may apply for Non-degree Graduate Status by using the non-degree online application.