Resource Communications, M.S.

The M.S. in resource communication is a cooperative program under a Memorandum of Understanding between the National Park Service and SFA to provide a graduate degree in resource interpretation by distance learning. The M.S. program is available in the following options: thesis, non-thesis and a 15-credit-hour certificate. The student must choose resource interpretation on their application, not forestry.

M.S. Resource Communications Thesis Program

Requires a minimum of 24 semester hours (eight courses) of graduate coursework and six semester hours of FORS 5190 - Thesis  for a total of 30 semester hours. To complete the program, students will develop a thesis proposal, conduct thesis research and write a master’s thesis. Students may transfer a maximum of six semester hours (two courses) of graduate-level credit from another institution. Acceptance of these transfer credits is determined by the student’s advisory committee, subject to approval by the associate dean of the ATCOFA. In order to be transferred, the student must have been accepted into a graduate program and the course to be transferred was taken for graduate credit and cannot have been used to satisfy any part of an undergraduate degree program. The student must submit an original transcript reflecting the grade and course taken.

During the first semester of coursework, students will begin to formulate an advisory committee. This committee will consist of no fewer than three members of the SFA graduate faculty, two of whom must be in the Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture . The advisory committee, chaired by the major professor, will then assist the student in developing a degree plan. The degree plan should be filed with the associate dean during the first semester of coursework. The advisory committee assists the student in preparing a formal research proposal and serves as the examining committee.

M.S. Resource Communications Non-Thesis Program

Requires students to complete 33 semester hours (11 courses) of graduate coursework and three semester hours of FORS 5175 - Advanced Graduate Studies  for a total of 36 semester hours. Students may transfer a maximum of 12 semester credit hours (four courses) of graduate-level credit from another institution. Acceptance of these transfer credits is determined by the student’s advisory committee, subject to approval by the associate dean of the ATCOFA. In order to be transferred, the student must have been accepted into a graduate program and the course to be transferred was taken for graduate credit and cannot have been used to satisfy any part of an undergraduate degree program.

To complete the program, students will develop and complete a scope of work and then prepare a presentation/paper/poster suitable for presentation at a professional conference. Also, students will be required to take an oral comprehensive exam during the final semester of enrollment. This exam must be given no later than the Friday before the start of final exams and must be conducted on the SFA campus in a face-to-face format.

The student, in conjunction with their advisor, will select three to four members of the SFA graduate faculty, including approved adjunct faculty, to serve as the student’s advisory committee. One member of the student’s advisory committee must be an ATCOFA faculty member who is not teaching an M.S. in resource communication core course. The non-thesis option is appropriate for students in career paths that are best supported by additional academic coursework rather than directed research on a single topic and for students who do not intend to pursue a higher degree. This degree is especially useful to those seeking broad training in the field of resource interpretation, or who wish to combine coursework in interpretation with an additional subject area.