Forestry Wildlife Management Concentration
Discover your exciting future career path in wildlife management within the context of multiple-use management of forest land. This concentration fulfills the course requirements for certification as wildlife biologists by The Wildlife Society. Many graduates of this concentration undertake graduate studies in wildlife biology and related areas to qualify for entry-level positions as wildlife biologists.
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Courses in parentheses are prerequisites.
Scholarship Information
- Students may apply for university, college and departmental scholarships through one application. You can find the scholarship application once you logon to myState. Under the banner tab, select Financial Aid and Scholarships. The application is listed as Submit/Revise General Scholarship Application.
- Freshmen-only scholarships: Priority date for application is December 1.
- All other students: Scholarship application close date is March 1.
- New freshmen and transfer students who need information should contact Cory Bailey. All other students should contact Lanna Miller, Office of Student Services at 662.325.9376.
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Certification
Coursework in this concentration enables students to fulfill requirements necessary to become certified by The Wildlife Society as an Associate Wildlife Biologist.
Accredited Status
The Forestry Wildlife Management concentration in the Forestry major leading to the Bachelor of Science degree is accredited by the Society of American Foresters (SAF). In the United States, programmatic accreditation is a non-governmental, peer-review process that assures the quality of the postsecondary education students receive. Academic programs volunteer to undergo this comprehensive review periodically to determine if certain criteria are being met. Accreditation is not a ranking system. It is simply assurance that a degree program meets quality standards established by the profession.
Internships
Cooperative Education - Through its Cooperative Education program, Mississippi State University encourages students to receive practical on-the-job training along with their academic studies. Typically, students in this program accumulate one year of work experience in their chosen fields before graduation by alternating between studying at Mississippi State for a semester and working with a cooperating organization for a semester.
Students must complete two semesters of study and earn a minimum 2.5 grade-point average before entering the cooperative education program, and they must maintain a minimum 2.5 GPA. Generally, students begin work during the summer following their freshman year and work alternate semesters thereafter.
Thrive in Five
With MSU's Thrive in Five accelerated degree program, scholars can earn their bachelor's and master's degrees concurrently in only five years. And by completing the required course load in less than the typical six years, they'll enter the workforce and start earning sooner. Undergraduate students who have completed at least 60 hours of coursework and have at least a 3.25 GPA may begin the process of earning their bachelor's and master's degrees at an accelerated pace today.
Living-Learning/Theme Community
The College of Forest Resources Themed Community for natural resource majors is housed in Cresswell Hall. The community will give you an opportunity to attend the same classes, establish study groups, and network and live with like-minded students. As a new student, joining this community also provides a valuable opportunity to ease the transition to college and to build relationships with other students within the natural resource field. You must be enrolled in the College of Forest Resources to participate in this program.
Potential Careers
| Title |
|---|
| Conservation Biologist |
| Consulting Forester |
| Director of Forest Operations |
| District Forester |
| District Ranger |
| Extension Specialist |
| Forest Land Manager |
| Forester |
| Game Manager |
| Landowner Assistance Forester |
| Lands Manager |
| Natural Resource Manager |
| Procurement Forester |
| Production Forester |
| Recreation Planner |
| Research Forester |
| Resource Analyst |
| Urban Community Forestry Coordinator |
| Urban Forest Specialist |
| Urban Forester |
| Urban Forestry Program Coordinator |
| Vegetation Manager |
| Wildlife Forensics Specialist |
| Youth Camp Coordinator |