The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences offers two Master’s non-thesis programs: the Masters of Natural Resource Development (MNRD) and Masters of Wildlife Science (MWS). These non-thesis, distance-based programs are designed for students who are employed full-time or have other full-time obligations but want to obtain a Master’s degree with the flexibility of not being on-campus (although it can be completed on-campus if desired). Most non-thesis students already have a career and enroll in one of these programs to optimize their coursework in an effort to focus on their career needs.

The MNRD and MWS degrees are designed for working natural resource professionals seeking graduate training in natural resources and environmental science. These programs give students a broad academic training combined with practical experience, to develop problem-solving and management skills. The MNRD aims to develop an understanding of the interrelationships among ecology, economics, policy and culture as factors that influence natural resource conservation and management. The MWS is designed for students already having established fundamentals in biology and natural resource-related topics.

The Master of Wildlife Science (MWSC) degree is designed for a student who wants professional graduate training with a management or policy orientation in wildlife or natural resources. It is intended to emphasize the problem solving skills involved in the use of science and technology to benefit humanity, not as a research degree.