CEMML Master's Degree Program

Introduction

The Master's Degree Programs in Military Lands Management provide prospective and career professionals, interested in natural resources management of Department of Defense (DoD) training areas and installations, with an interdisciplinary, specialized program of graduate study to prepare them for positions of responsibility within DoD environmental programs. Several graduate programs, with specialization in military lands management, are available through the Department of Forest Sciences and College of Natural Resources at Colorado State University (CSU). The College of Natural Resources at CSU, composed of five departments Earth Resources, Forest Sciences, Fishery and Wildlife Biology, Natural Resource Recreation and Tourism, and Rangeland Ecosystem Science, is one of the largest of its kind in the nation.

Applied study in the area of specialization will be offered by the Center for Environmental Management of Military Lands (CEMML), which is a research and service unit within the Department of Forest Sciences. The Center supports the national defense mission by providing professional services, research and technical support to DoD in conservation, environmental protection and natural and cultural resources management. Its professional staff assists military planners, trainers and land managers in the maintenance of healthy, diverse ecosystems to support sustained, realistic training and testing exercises.

The unique relationship and shared expertise between CEMML, the Department of Forest Sciences and the College of Natural Resources at Colorado State University provides the foundation for these graduate programs. Students will benefit directly from the expertise of the Center's staff and have access to the Center's resources and facilities on campus for project and course related work. College and Department faculty affiliated with the Center will serve on student graduate advisory committees.

Goals

The Department of Defense's commitment to integrating training readiness with the long-term environmental stewardship of military lands requires that professional military land managers, both civilian and military, be knowledgeable in a wide range of natural resources disciplines. The breadth and complexity of military land management dictates that current and future professionals be knowledgeable of the rapidly evolving practices, technologies and analytical tools that support this critical national defense mission. The goal of the Master's Degree Programs in Military Lands Management is:

To provide interdisciplinary, graduate level education and training in traditional and evolving natural resources management concepts, methods, strategies, technologies and issues to enhance the
long-term sustainability of military lands in support of the national defense mission.

Requirements

Several programs of graduate study are available with an emphasis on military lands management. The Plan A program awards a traditional Master of Science (M.S.) degree in one of several natural resources disciplines, with the requirement to complete a thesis. The Plan B program awards a Master of Science (M.S.) degree, with the requirement to complete a professional paper. Both programs require a minimum of 30 credits for completion of the degree. The Plan C program awards a Master of Forestry (M.F.) degree aimed towards career preparation and professional development. The Plan C is a course work only degree with additional credit requirements, but no thesis or professional paper.

These programs are designed for students with a variety of natural resources-related undergraduate degrees, as well as for non-traditional degreed students who are anticipating initial entry into this career field. Students without the prerequisite background in natural resources management may be required to meet specific undergraduate course work requirements prior to commencing the program. A fully qualified student would be expected to complete the program of study within three to four academic semesters, depending upon semester course load and acceptance of transfer credits. The Plan A thesis or Plan B professional paper, for which research credits are awarded towards completion of the degree, may be completed off-campus in conjunction with acceptable work place projects or activities in the natural resources arena.

Study and Curriculum

Student programs of study within the military lands management specialization will be tailored to meet the needs and interests of individual applicants, subject to faculty committee approval. Completion of a core curriculum, composed of several courses in the forest sciences, is required for the Plan C program.

Interdisciplinary elective courses include study in the disciplines of botany and plant science, earth resources, ecology, fish and wildlife biology, forestry, range and ecosystem science, political science, recreation resources management, as well as others. Study in advanced technologies and digital data management using remote sensing, global positioning systems, and geographic information systems is strongly encouraged.

A limited number of courses are offered through distance learning options in cooperation with the University's Center for Continuing and Distance Education.

Admission Requirements

Candidates for graduate degree programs in the Department of Forest Sciences and College of Natural Resources must meet the University admissions requirements for graduate school.

The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is required only for acceptance and admission into the Plan A or Plan B programs.

Colorado State University and Fort Collins

Colorado State University, located at 5,000 feet elevation in Fort Collins, 65 miles north of Denver, was established in 1870 as Colorado's land grant institution. It has grown to become a university of approximately 19,000 regular, on-campus students. The 833-acre campus houses eight colleges and a graduate school.

Fort Collins is a progressive and rapidly growing community of more than 100,000 residents. The city is nestled at the base of the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, which offer abundant recreational opportunities, to include hiking, fishing, skiing, rock climbing and white water sports.

Dr. William Doe
Center for Environmental Management of Military Lands
Professional Graduate Programs
Colorado State University
Fort Collins, CO 80523-1470
Telephone: (970) 491-2748
Fax: (970) 491-2713
E-mail: CEMML_Contact@mail.ColoState.EDU

Department Head
Department of Forest Sciences
Colorado State University
Fort Collins, CO 80523
Telephone: (970) 491-6911

Download Brochure

The Master's Degree programs brochure is available for download in Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF). You will need a copy of the free Adobe Acrobat Reader to view, navigate, and print this PDF file.  Click here for information on the Acrobat Reader.

Brochure (139 KB)

Resources

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