Forestry - PhD

S.J. and Jessie E. Quinney College of Natural Resources

Department of Wildland Resources

Students in this program study the science and application of ecological principles in the management of forests. Management aspects include measuring current forests, planning for future forests considering fire risks, fuel loads and the provision of wildlife and recreational services. The program includes coursework on forest ecology and fire ecology, social sciences, policy, soils, and restoration. The program is integrated with other natural resource programs in the college focusing on wildlife, range, and ecology for a broad interdisciplinary experience.

The PhD degree is intended for students seeking a research or academic career in forestry. The Forestry PhD degree may be obtained through either a post-master’s or post-baccalaureate program.

 

Admission into the Forestry PhD Program

To be accepted into the Forestry program, all prospective students need to find a Wildland Resources departmental faculty member that agrees to serve as their major advisor. It is recommended that applicants first contact specific faculty members with whom they are interested in working.  If the faculty member is accepting graduate students and agrees to work with the student, the student can then apply for admission to Utah State University’s School of Graduate Studies. Please see section A. of the School of Graduate Studies  catalog pages for admission requirements. 

 

Degree Requirements

To be awarded a PhD in Forestry, students must complete the following Wildland Resources Department and School of Graduate Studies requirements. 

• Completion of required credit hours: A PhD post-master’s requires 30 credit hours, and a PhD post-baccalaureate requires 60 credit hours. Please see specific course requirements under PhD post-master’s and PhD post-baccalaureate below.
• Successful completion of oral and written comprehensive exams.
• Successful defense of a dissertation.
• Submission of a dissertation to the School of Graduate Studies and library for review and approval.
• Completion of academic forms required by Wildland Resources & School of Graduate Studies.
  • Supervisory Committee Approval form
  • Program of Study form
  • Application for Candidacy form
• Completion of academic forms required by the School of Graduate Studies.
  • Appointment for Examination
  • Graduation Check form
  • Application for Graduation
• Completion of all School of Graduate Studies required trainings.
• Must maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA for degree-program courses. Grades of C- or lower will not be accepted for a graduate degree.
• A cumulative GPA of 3.0 is required for graduation.
• A doctoral degree must be completed within eight years of entering the degree program. Additional time may be requested by the student’s committee and submitted to the Vice Provost of Graduate Studies for review.
• Coursework over eight years old at the time of degree completion may not be used for a graduate degree unless it is revalidated