We offer two kinds of M.S. programs: thesis and non-thesis.

Thesis Master's students take a preliminary assessment examination (oral or written or both) as early as possible upon beginning graduate work. This examination will serve as the basis for further counseling of the applicant and for the development of the student's program for the M.S. thesis degree plan. Within their first semester, M.S. thesis students must choose, with advice and mutual consent of their major professor, a graduate committee. Thesis students will develop a research proposal for review and approval by their graduate committee and outline a degree plan of proposed coursework that will meet committee, Departmental Graduate Advisor, and Graduate School requirements.

The Non-Thesis M.S. in Wildlife, Aquatic, and Wildlands Science and Management is a more in-depth exploration of what science is and how it is used in the natural resources fields. The customized coursework is designed to enhance training and skills for management and career-related jobs. The student's role is to attain a more thorough understanding of how science is used to address natural resource problems.