Rangeland, Wildlife and Fisheries Management 4+1 Program
The Rangeland, Wildlife and Fisheries Management 4+1 Program allows high-achieving undergraduate students to pursue a 36-hour Master of Natural Resources following their junior year.
The program promotes critical problem solving skills necessary in natural resource conservation along with developing a strong foundational understanding of the interrelationships between ecology, management, policy and human dimensions.
Program Details
The 4+1 Program integrates advanced coursework in natural resource management, planning and policy with three applied experiential experiences: monthly leadership training, known as “Fireside Chats”, a 1-week Summer Policy Boot Camp and a professional capstone project.
Throughout the program, students work both independently and as part of a cohort while engaging regularly with fellowship sponsors and conservation professionals. This combination of scientific knowledge and applied planning practice prepares graduates to enter professional roles with natural resource agencies, nongovernmental organizations and private industry. During the 5th year of the program, students receive a $20,000 fellowship to support completion of the graduate capstone project.
How it Works
During the fourth year of the undergraduate degree (senior year), students begin taking dual-credit “stacked” courses. These courses simultaneously satisfy undergraduate degree requirements and count toward graduate credit, provided the student earns a grade of B or higher. Students may apply up to 6 credit hours in this manner.
In the 5th year of the program (the year following completion of the bachelor’s degree), students transition fully into graduate status and focus exclusively on graduate coursework and the capstone project.
Total program requirements:
• 6 dual-credit hours (completed during senior year)
• 30 graduate credit hours (completed during graduate year)
• 36 total graduate credit hours
Admission and Requirements
Students interested in 4+1 Program apply during the final semester of their Junior year.
Applicants must be an RWFM junior with a minimum cumulative GPR of 3.5, complete the graduate school application and obtain approval from a faculty committee. Selection is based on qualifications, alignment with program goals and references.
How to Apply
Interested students must make an appointment to speak with Michael Werner during the student’s Sophomore year via Navigate to discuss options and the requirements listed above. Following this, students must complete an application for the Rangeland, Wildlife and Fisheries Management 4+1 Program.
Applications will be reviewed by a departmental committee, and select students will be contacted for an interview. Following acceptance to the program, academic advisors and the RWFM academic program office will guide students through semester course registration.