Northern Arizona University

What you'll study

The Forestry degree provides a balance of core natural‑science courses, forestry‑specific technical subjects and applied field experience. Students take foundational courses in ecology, biology, chemistry and statistics, then progress to forestry topics such as silviculture, forest mensuration and inventory, forest ecology, forest soils, and fire ecology and management.

• Forest ecology and ecosystem processes
• Silviculture and stand dynamics
• Forest mensuration and timber cruising
• Wildland fire science, behaviour and suppression strategies
• Forest soils and hydrology
• GIS, remote sensing and spatial analysis for natural resources
• Forest policy, economics and ethics
• Wildlife habitat management and biodiversity conservation
• Capstone project, practicum or senior field course

Practical fieldwork is a major component: students participate in multi‑day field camps, laboratory exercises and extended projects using instrumentation and software commonly used by land management agencies and consulting firms. Elective options let students tailor study toward conservation biology, fire management, urban forestry, or timber and forest products.

Entry requirements

Applicants should hold a recognised high‑school diploma or equivalent. NAU's general undergraduate admissions process applies; prospective students are expected to submit official transcripts and to demonstrate readiness for college‑level coursework. While exact requirements vary by applicant type, successful candidates typically have coursework in mathematics (algebra and precalculus), biology, and chemistry.

Recommended preparation and attributes

• Strong performance in science and math courses
• Experience or interest in outdoor work and field research
• Basic computer skills; willingness to learn GIS and statistical software
• Driver’s licence is useful for field assignments and internships

Transfer students with relevant college credits, including community college forestry or natural‑resource courses, are considered; applicants should consult NAU admissions for guidance on transfer credit evaluation and any programme‑specific prerequisites.

Career prospects

Graduates with a BSc in Forestry from Northern Arizona University move into a range of public‑ and private‑sector roles concerned with sustainable management of forested landscapes. Typical career paths include:

• Forestry technician or specialist with federal, state or tribal land management agencies
• Consulting forester working on timber inventory, management planning and forest health
• Wildland firefighter and fire management planner
• Urban and community forester managing trees in municipal settings
• GIS or remote‑sensing analyst for natural‑resource applications
• Watershed and riparian restoration specialist
• Park or conservation area manager; habitat and wildlife management roles
• Further study at graduate level in forestry, ecology, hydrology or natural‑resource policy

Field experience, internships and the programme’s applied projects help graduates build employer connections with agencies such as the US Forest Service, state forestry departments, tribal land offices, environmental consultancies and non‑profit conservation organisations.

Why study at Northern Arizona University

Northern Arizona University is located in northern Arizona, adjacent to a wide range of forest types—most notably ponderosa pine and mixed‑conifer landscapes—offering abundant opportunities for outdoor learning and research. The Forestry programme emphasises hands‑on training: students benefit from field camps, on‑site experimental forests and collaborations with regional land managers.

Key strengths of studying forestry at NAU include small class sizes in upper‑division courses, faculty who combine academic research with applied management experience, and access to facilities and equipment used in contemporary forest science and management. The programme’s geographic setting also supports study in fire ecology and management, which is an important focus given regional wildfire dynamics.

Students are encouraged to pursue internships and cooperative arrangements; the university’s connections with federal and state agencies, tribal offices and private firms help translate classroom and field skills into professional experience and career opportunities.