What Will I Learn in a Forestry Degree Program?

The most reliable route to a career in forestry is a high-quality education. There are many universities and community colleges that offer intensive instruction in forestry science and related topics. If you choose to seek a college degree in forestry, you should have attractive employment options available once you graduate.

What is Forestry?

Forestry is the art and science of forest management and analysis. It includes detailed, scientific study of the impact of human activities on woodlands. Its ultimate goal is the preservation, conservation and/or restoration of well-functioning forest ecosystems.

People who work in forestry must demonstrate their capacity to design and implement creative and effective solutions to the problems that forestry professionals encounter in real-world situations. These solutions must be based on science and must balance the needs of society with the principles of environmental sustainability.  

Trained foresters are hired by government agencies, private companies, nonprofit organizations and educational institutions. Academic qualifications are paramount for men and women searching for employment in forestry-related positions.

What is the Study of Forestry and How Can It Help Me Find a Job?

What you learn in a forestry degree program will prepare you to enter an exciting and challenging field. Study programs in forestry encompass a broad range of sciences, since they’re designed to give you the tools you need to comprehend complex interactions within dynamic and multilayered living systems. In your forestry degree program, you’ll deepen your knowledge of the natural world and learn about how the behavior and activities of human beings can either protect nature or endanger it.

In your studies of forestry, you’ll develop the in-depth knowledge and practical skills you need to perform at the highest levels of the forestry profession. Your academic achievements, and the qualifications and capacities they represent, will open doors in a competitive industry.

How to Get a Forestry Degree

The first step on the path to a successful forestry career is a high school diploma or GED. This is the minimum requirement to gain admittance to forestry degree program at a university or community college.

American universities offer three types of forestry degrees: Associate of Science, Bachelor of Science and Master of Science. In general, the farther you advance in your academic career, the better your chances of finding stable employment in the forestry industry, in either the public or private sector.

Let’s take a closer look at the available degree-granting options …

Associate’s Degree in Forestry

There are many community colleges and universities that offer two-year programs leading to an associate’s degree in forestry. These programs can prepare you for entry-level jobs as a forestry technician or prepare you to further your education in a bachelor’s degree program later on.

If you enroll in an associate’s degree program, you’ll study the basic concepts of forest management and forest ecology. You’ll be introduced to the science of trees, which is known as dendrology. You’ll learn how logging practices and other human activities affect forests, as you explore methods for collecting and analyzing data that reveal how woodlands ecosystems are functioning.

Your well-rounded curriculum will include coursework covering at least some of the following topics:

  • Forest biology
  • Forest fire prevention
  • Woodlands diseases and insects
  • Forest resources and products
  • Forest recreation
  • Botany
  • Surveying
  • Wildlife management and ecology
  • Urban forestry

In addition to your classroom study, you’ll also be expected to perform laboratory experiments and gain hands-on experience in the field. These are essential requirements for an associate’s degree in forestry, since they demonstrate your ability to put what you’ve learned into practice.  

Bachelor’s Degree in Forestry

Most positions in forestry require a bachelor’s degree. A Bachelor of Science degree in forestry will qualify you for classification as a true forester, able to handle the responsibilities associated with a full-time position.

In a four-year forestry degree program, you’ll receive comprehensive instruction in forest monitoring and management. You’ll learn how forests are impacted by recreational and economic activity, and how forestry practices can conserve resources and protect wild areas from abuse. As you deepen your knowledge of the science of trees (dendrology), you’ll also take coursework in biology, chemistry, physics, geology and environmental science, to prepare you for all the challenges a working forester might face while pursuing their duties.

Other subject matter covered in your diverse forestry curriculum may include:

  • Soil science
  • Zoology
  • Entomology
  • Forest ecology
  • Environmental economics
  • Forest biometrics
  • Recreational land management
  • Natural resource policy

As a supplement to your classwork, you’ll spend a significant amount of time in the laboratory and take regular field trips to nearby woodlands. Your academic advisor and the forestry department at your school will help you locate internship opportunities, which will allow you to gain professional experience working on real-world forestry projects.

Master’s Degree in Forestry

What you study in forestry programs will be relatively uniform at the associate’s and bachelor’s levels. But if you pursue a master’s degree in forestry, your curriculum will be customized to meet your academic and professional preferences. To deepen your knowledge and establish your credentials, you’ll carry out relevant research under the supervision of your faculty advisor. Internships and volunteer activities will be included in your academic training regimen, to make sure you have the practical experience you need to impress potential employers.

Attending school full-time, you should be able to complete your master’s program in forestry in approximately two years. Having a master’s degree in forestry could prepare you for a career in forestry management and administration, for employment by government agencies or nonprofit organizations involved in resource management or for a career in post-secondary education.

Forestry Careers for College Graduates

Some of the career possibilities for someone with a degree in forestry include:

  • Conservation and resource forester
  • Forest ranger
  • Forestry technician
  • Conservation scientist
  • Environmental educator
  • Forestry instructor  (secondary or post-secondary)
  • Forestry consultant
  • Procurement agent ( for timber, energy or paper companies)
  • Urban forester

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts a three percent growth rate for forestry-related jobs between 2018 and 2028, which indicates an expanding yet still somewhat tight job market. Nevertheless, once you have a forestry degree from an accredited academic institution, you’ll have the qualifications necessary to compete for and ultimately land a good paying position in the industry.