Graduate Field
Natural Resources and the Environment
Program Description
A student who wants to undertake a one to two year research project to enhance their professional credentials or “test the waters” for the longer Ph.D. should apply for the M.S. degree. MS students generally conduct a research project after two semesters of classes and complete a research thesis within two to three years. After completing their degree, they commonly take jobs in the nonprofit or government sector or go on for a Ph.D.
Individual mentoring by faculty is fundamental to our philosophy of individualized graduate education and the success of our students. There are no course requirements other than those agreed to with your advisor and other members of your graduate advisory committee. For a student to be considered for admission, a faculty member must be willing to supervise and ensure funding for the prospective student. Therefore, you must correspond with and obtain sponsorship from a faculty advisor before applying.
If you have questions about application procedures, please review the NRE Field Manual. If you have questions regarding your application status, contact the Graduate Field Assistant, at nregrad@cornell.edu
Concentrations
- Applied ecology
- Community-based natural resources management
- Conservation biology
- Ecosystem biology and biogeochemistry
- Fishery and aquatic science
- Forest science
- Human dimensions of natural resources management
- Policy and institutional analysis
- Program development and evaluation
- Quantitative ecology
- Risk analysis and management
- Wildlife science
Program Information
- Instruction Mode: In Person
- Location: Ithaca, NY
Program Requirements
- Minimum Semesters for Degree: 2
Graduate School Milestones
- Responsible Conduct of Research Training: Required
- Open Researcher and Contributor ID (ORCID): Required
- Student Progress Reviews (SPR) begin: Second year
- Masters Exam (M Exam): Spring of second year
- Thesis: Prior to graduation
Field Specific Milestones
- Field progress review conducted first year
Course Requirements
- Course requirements are determined by the student’s Special Committee.
- Enrollment in a GRAD research course or the equivalent field specific research course is expected of all students.
University Graduation Requirements
Requirements for All Students
In order to receive a Cornell degree, a student must satisfy academic and non-academic requirements.
Academic Requirements
A student’s college determines degree requirements such as residency, number of credits, distribution of credits, and grade averages. It is the student’s responsibility to be aware of the specific major, degree, distribution, college, and graduation requirements for completing their chosen program of study. See the individual requirements listed by each college or school or contact the college registrar’s office for more information.
Non-academic Requirements
Conduct Matters. Students must satisfy any outstanding sanctions, penalties or remedies imposed or agreed to under the Student Code of Conduct (Code) or Policy 6.4. Where a formal complaint under the Code or Policy 6.4 is pending, the University will withhold awarding a degree otherwise earned until the adjudication process set forth in those procedures is complete, including the satisfaction of any sanctions, penalties or remedies imposed.
Financial Obligations. Outstanding financial obligations will not impact the awarding of a degree otherwise earned or a student’s ability to access their official transcript. However, the University may withhold issuing a diploma until any outstanding financial obligations owing to the University are satisfied.
