This Master of Natural Resources Stewardship (MNRS), Plan C, Western Ranch Management and Ecosystem Stewardship Specialization is a coursework-intensive professional master’s degree. It provides students with a broad natural resources education and specialized resource management expertise in ranch management.
Students interested in graduate work should refer to the Graduate and Professional Bulletin.
Learning Objectives
After successfully completing the program, students will be able to:
- Critically evaluate traditional and novel ranch management approaches using knowledge of sustainable natural resource management (forests, rangelands, wildlife, and watersheds), ecology, business, livestock production, and agriculture.
- Track and evaluate current scientific information, apply a variety of tools and technologies, and manage business operations to achieve management goals.
- Develop, implement, monitor, and adapt ranch management approaches to support ecosystem processes, foster lasting protection of the land, and achieve economic sustainability, across diverse ecological and social contexts.
- Consider multiple perspectives and understand how diverse cultures/backgrounds/experiences/social positions affect values/attitudes/roles related to ranch management.
- Demonstrate effective written, oral, and visual communication skills with a variety of stakeholders and excel working in teams.
- Leverage resources (e.g., partnerships, grants, expert opinion) and build communities of practice and professional networks.
- Demonstrate ethical and professional behaviors in all aspects of ranch management and ecosystem stewardship.
Effective Fall 2023
Additional coursework may be required due to prerequisites.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Requirements: | ||
| NR 539 | Western Ranch Assessment and Planning | 3 |
| NR 567 | Analysis of Environmental Impact | 3 |
| NR 578 | Ecology of Disturbed Lands | 3 |
| Select one from the following | 2-3 | |
| Monitoring for Advanced Silviculture | ||
| Natural Resource Inventory and Data Analysis | ||
| Rangeland Ecosystem Sampling | ||
| Select one from the following: | 1-2 | |
| Advanced Silviculture Seminar | ||
| Natural Resources Stewardship Seminar | ||
| Western Ranch Management and Ecosystem Stewardship Specialization Requirements: | ||
| NR 536 | Ranch Management and Stewardship Field Course | 4 |
| NR 537 | Ranch Management and Stewardship Seminar | 1 |
| NR 538 | Skills in Ranch Management | 2 |
| RS 452 | Rangeland Herbivore Ecology and Management | 3 |
| In consultation with your advisor, select 6-8 directed elective credits from the following to bring your total credits to 30: | 6-8 | |
| Building the Business | ||
| Understanding and Managing Animal Resources | ||
| Animal Production Systems | ||
| Integrated Forage Management | ||
| Understanding Policy and Emerging Issues | ||
| Ecosystem Services on Agricultural Lands | ||
| Products to Profit | ||
| Water Law, Policy, and Institutions | ||
| Agricultural Law | ||
| Principles of Ecosystem Sustainability | ||
| Silviculture | ||
| Ecophysiology of Trees | ||
| Advanced Forest Ecology | ||
| Adaptive Fish and Wildlife Management | ||
| Wildlife Habitat Management on Private Land | ||
| Sustaining River Ecosystems in Changing World | ||
| Concepts in GIS | ||
| Natural Resources Policy and Biodiversity | ||
| Wetland Ecology and Restoration | ||
| Agritourism Enterprise Management | ||
| Rangeland Assessment | ||
| Advanced Rangeland Management | ||
| Ecology of Grasslands and Shrublands | ||
| Soil Ecology | ||
| Forest and Range Soils | ||
| Program Total Credits: | 30 | |
A minimum of 30 credits are required to complete this program.
For more information, please visit Requirements for All Graduate Degrees in the Graduate and Professional Bulletin.
Summary of Procedures for the Master's and Doctoral Degrees
NOTE: Each semester the Graduate School publishes a schedule of deadlines. Deadlines are available on the Graduate School website. Students should consult this schedule whenever they approach important steps in their careers.
Forms are available online.
| Step | Due Date |
|---|---|
| 1. Application for admission (online) | Six months before first registration |
| 2. Diagnostic examination when required | Before first registration |
| 3. Appointment of advisor | Before first registration |
| 4. Selection of graduate committee | Before the time of fourth regular semester registration |
| 5. Filing of program of study (GS Form 6) | Before the time of fourth regular semester registration |
| 6. Preliminary examination (Ph.D. and PD) | Two terms prior to final examination |
| 7. Report of preliminary examination (GS Form 16) - (Ph.D. and PD) | Within two working days after results are known |
| 8. Changes in committee (GS Form 9A) | When change is made |
| 9. Application for Graduation (GS Form 25) | Refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School Website |
| 9a. Reapplication for Graduation (online) | Failure to graduate requires Reapplication for Graduation (online) for the next time term for which you are applying |
| 10. Submit thesis or dissertation to committee | At least two weeks prior to the examination or at the discretion of the graduate committee |
| 11. Final examination | Refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School Website |
| 12. Report of final examination (GS Form 24) | Within two working days after results are known; refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School website |
| 13. Submit a signed Thesis/Dissertation Submission Form (GS Form 30) to the Graduate School and Submit the Survey of Earned Doctorates (Ph.D. only) prior to submitting the electronic thesis/dissertation | Refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School website. |
| 14. Submit the thesis/dissertation electronically | Refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School website |
| 15. Graduation | Ceremony information is available from the Graduate School website |