The department offers programs leading to the Master of Science (M.S.) in Wildlife Ecology. Graduate students in these fields couple a focus on insects or vertebrates with a broad knowledge of other related fields of biology, especially ecology. The M.S. degree programs prepare students for pursuit of the PhD. While it is possible to go directly to the Ph.D. program, the Department Faculty prefers that students complete the MS degree before being admitted or reclassified into the doctoral degree program in Entomology and Wildlife Ecology.

Students complete coursework in all aspects of wildlife ecology, conservation, physiology, taxonomy, policy, and human dimensions of wildlife. Students also conduct an intensive field research project (usually two to three field seasons) under the tutelage of a faculty member, which they use as their thesis.