Graduate programs in the Department offer the MS and PhD degrees in Natural Resource Ecology and Management with specializations in Fisheries and Aquatic Ecology, Forest Resources, Rangeland Ecology and Management, and Wildlife Ecology and Management.

A major role of the Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management is providing graduate instruction. It is a critical component of the department's research, instruction, and extension missions. The overall goals of the Department are to provide high quality, advanced training and instruction in the application of the scientific method to problems in natural resource ecology and management. This includes problem analysis and identification, research methods, synthesis of results, and communication of findings. The Department strives to develop the capability for original and creative work under the guidance of established professionals and scientists.