Frequently asked questions

Frequently Asked Questions

I am working full-time but want to advance professionally, and to do so I need a graduate degree. How does the MNR program address this?

The Master of Natural Resource program was developed specifically to meet the needs of currently employed natural resource professionals. Graduates of the program include professionals from the federal agencies, private consulting firms, environmental engineers, and new CNR graduates. Completion of the degree is often a step up to a different job opportunity, and it truly emphasizes the spiral career path approach. This terminal program's interdisciplinary nature addresses the need for understanding various approaches to environmental issues involving private companies, non-profit groups, private landowners, and policy makers. This focus melds nicely with the knowledge base often needed at upper level administration.

Is the MNR program offered online?

Although many courses are available on the Moscow campus, there are several online courses originating from the University of Idaho that can be taken via internet. The MNR degree is now offered entirely on line. Not every course described in the MNR Guidebook is offered as a web course. It is up to the student and the faculty advisor to determine which Web courses (from UI or other universities) can be substituted into the program.

This approach provides a wider range of courses. Web courses can be taken either at the University of Idaho or from other colleges. If the credits are taken from other colleges, up to 12 credits may be transferred into the MNR program, while 18 credits must come from the University of Idaho.

The degree also requires a total of two credits of colloquia (including seminar courses offered by College departments). Occasionally, a short course is offered, say, on the Moscow campus and held during a two to three day time-period, beginning on a Friday and including advance reading and a post-class follow-up assignment. Or a series of colloquia may be identified in the College as appropriate for this purpose (such as the Borah Symposium on-campus each spring). Approved short-courses, conferences, or other forms of professional development or in-service training may also be considered. We are using adaptive ways to incorporate the colloquia, as well as the presentation (given at the end of the MNR program) over the Web.

How long does the course of study take? If you do not have a large number of deficiency courses and can go to school full time, it will take two to three semesters. Although originally targeted for working natural resource professionals, this program is becoming increasingly popular with newly graduated B.S. students with an interest in resource management positions, as opposed to science-based ones.

My undergraduate degree is not in Natural Resources, but I wish to pursue a career in natural resources. My professional career is taking me in an environmental direction as I work with a number of different groups and issues. Your program interests me, but I need advice on what to do next. Is there an advisor I can talk to?

Ms. Lynaire Banks in the Dean's Office of the College of Natural Resources on the Moscow campus (lynaire@uidaho.edu or 208-885-2397) provides administrative support and can help with questions regarding applying to the program. If you hope to come into the program from a major that does not emphasize natural resources or math and science, you can do an informal assessment of possible deficiency (make-up) undergraduate classes. These classes are required to help ensure academic success. You can look at the deficiency course list by going to the MNR Student Guidelines.

It also may be possible to petition undergraduate classes you have taken that are similar to required MNR classes (you will likely be asked for class syllabi to accompany a petition).

NOTE, however, that these courses cannot be ones you have taken for completion of an undergraduate degree at another school; you must have registered for them either as a non-degree student, or for later graduate-level credit, for them to be counted towards MNR coursework. If they can be counted, they would be included among the 12 credits of transferable courses from other schools.

Ms. Banks can also connect you with an advisor who can answer more in-depth academic questions.

I see that a GRE score is required with the application packet. I've been away from school for 20 years but had a good undergraduate GPA and want to know if I have to take the GRE.

The GRE scores are predictors of success at the graduate level and are an important part of the application packet considered by the faculty committee. The importance of the high acheivement is reflective of GRE scores. The MNR program, although a non-thesis program, still relies on a strong base of math and science as well as good writing skills for its successful completion. Taking the GRE exam is made easier by Web test sample questions and the ability to take the test by computer.

What are the minimum GRE scores ?

The GRE scores are used as a measure of future academic success. They are reviewed as one part of the total application package. The other components are: letters of recommendation, letter of career objectives, resume and GPA.

Why choose an MNR over a discipline specific masters degree?

Based on our conversations with employers (agency, corporate and non-profit), the non-thesis Masters degree (like the MNR degree) appears to be equally competitive with a discipline-specific Masters degree (both thesis and non-thesis) for those pursuing careers that are not research-based.

Regarding funding assistance, because this program is interdisciplinary, it is not directly connected to any of our departments and therefore does not have assistantships available. Some MNR students coming back to school from federal agency jobs have obtained funding support through SCEP (Student Career Experience Program) followed by the non-competitive conversion to a full time position.

It is recommended that, if you are currently in a natural resource position, you look into educational opportunities within your organization to assist you.

Sign up for this fast track non-thesis interdisciplinary program in one of the nation's leading natural resource colleges -- begin by choosing one or more classes in four areas: Policy, Planning and Law; Human Dimensions; Ecology and Resource Management; or Tools and Technology (see MNR Guidebook). This program provides the flexibility to allow you to focus in your special field of interest and position yourself for advancement.

How do I apply?

To apply for this program, you will need to have a minimum of 2.8/4.0 GPA, or equivalent grades if you are an international student. You can go to the College of Graduate Studies and apply on-line.

You will also need to provide the Graduate School application and associated fee, a professional vitae or resume, 2 copies of official transcripts sent from each institution attended, three letters of reference, GRE scores, and a cover letter with a 1-2 page statement of career objectives. The UI Graduate Admissions Office will compile the materials and the MNR Committee (comprised of faculty representatives from each department) will review your application and make the final admission decision.

If you are planning to apply and want to have a contact person in the College, or if you have more questions, please contact Ms. Lynaire Banks (lynaire@uidaho.edu or 208-885-2397)

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