Best Online Bachelor's in Forestry Degrees

Online Colleges Offering Forestry Degrees (Ranking List)

Online Forestry Degree Overview

Online forestry programs are extremely rare. In fact, only a small selection of these programs can be found at the associate and master's levels. The lack of online programs in this field could be due to the fact that forestry is a very hands-on major. However, there are some closely related programs available that could also provide students with courses that cover forestry concepts and material.

Online Associate Degrees in Forestry

Online associate degree programs in forestry are few and far between. However, for students who would like to gain an online associate degree that focuses on forestry, there are a couple of options to choose from, including:

• Associate of Science in Forestry
• Associate of Science in Natural Resources
• Associate of Science in Biology-Natural Resources

Students usually have to complete around 60 credits for an associate degree program. In these programs, students might encounter topics such as:

• General ecology
• Natural resources law
• Applied forest inventory
• Field biology
• Mapping and remote sensing
• Environmental conservation

Online Bachelor's Degrees in Forestry

At the bachelor's level, students interested in forestry can consider the following online bachelor's degree options:

• Bachelor of Science in Natural Resources
• Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science
• Bachelor of Science in Environmental Management

Some of these programs offer specializations and concentrations that students can choose from. For these online bachelor's programs, students usually must complete 120 semester credits. Some of the courses that students might encounter during their studies include:

• Research methods
• Forest biology
• Rangeland management
• Urban forestry
• Managing natural resources
• Natural resource ecology

Online Master's Degrees in Forestry

Students can find a couple of online master's degree programs that are available in forestry. Available options include:

• Master of Science in Forestry
• Master of Natural Resource Stewardship with a specialization in forest sciences

Students usually have to complete around 30 semester credits for these programs. Some of the course topics that might be encountered include:

• Urban community forestry
• Analyzing environmental impact
• Silviculture resources
• Forest economics
• Natural resource policies
• Forest values
• Natural resource ecology
• Forest ecosystem issues

Some programs offer thesis and non-thesis options.

Online Doctoral Degrees in Forestry

Online doctoral degree programs are not available in forestry. Students will have to attend an on-campus program if they would like to study forestry at the doctorate level. Doctoral programs typically take between four and five years to complete and are typically designed for those who want to teach in the field.

Online Certificates in Forestry

Online undergraduate and graduate certificates in forestry are available at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.

At the undergraduate level, certificate options include:

• Certificate of Achievement in Forestry
• Certificate of Achievement in Natural Resources

These certificate programs could cover watershed management, physical geology, dendrology, and global positioning.

Some of the options available at the graduate level include:

• Forest health and resilience
• Forest finance and investment
• Urban forestry

These usually require students to complete 12 semester credits or more, and some programs could take more than 2 years to complete.

Forestry Specializations/Concentrations

There are numerous concentrations that online students in forestry can choose from. They give students the chance to focus their studies on a more specialized area within the field forestry. Some of these options include:

• Urban forest landscapes
• Natural resources and conservation
• Conservation law enforcement
• Natural resource education
• Agriculture and natural resources
• Policy and management

Curriculum/Coursework for a Forestry Degree

Students enrolled in online forestry-related bachelor's programs usually have to complete general education courses in the areas of:

• Biology
• Composition
• Chemistry
• Communication
• Humanities
• Math
• Economics

Core courses that students might have to complete include:

Natural Resources: Courses in natural resources could cover a number of topics in relation to natural resources, including natural resource ecology, the relationship between natural resources and society, the role that women play in controlling and using natural resources, how these resources can be managed so they are available for future use, and how cultural values impact biodiversity.

Natural Resource Policy: Courses in natural resource policy can cover a range of topics, including forest evolution, policy implementation, analyzing policy effectiveness, and public attitudes toward environmental policies. Some courses could focus specifically on forest policy, policies regarding public land, or environmental law.

How Long Does it Take to Get an Online Bachelor's in Forestry?

Most online bachelor's programs that focus on forestry can be completed in 4 years. Students in these programs might have to complete general education requirements for the first four semesters before moving into their major courses. Students usually have to complete labs in biology and chemistry. In total, students could complete around 40 courses and 120 credits.

Accreditation for Online Bachelor's in Forestry Degrees

Online bachelor's programs that cover forestry concepts are regionally accredited by entities such as the following:

• New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
• Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)

The U.S. Department of Education and The Council of Higher Education Accreditation formally recognize these accrediting agencies. Regional accreditation demonstrates that a school or program has met certain standards of quality when it comes to faculty and curriculum. Getting federal financial aid also requires you to attend an accredited institution.

In addition to school accreditation, programs in forestry can also be accredited by the Society of American Foresters (SAF). Attending a program that's been granted accreditation from the SAF may increase your chances of receiving a quality education in the field.

Forestry Licensure & Certification

Licensure requirements for foresters can vary from state to state. Graduates should contact the state they would like to work in to gain an understanding of eligibility. Certification is offered through the SAF. For this certification, graduates must attain a significant amount of work-related experience and pass a qualifying exam.

Conservation scientists working in rangeland management can gain certification through the Society for Range Management. However, just like SAF certification for foresters, conservation scientists need a significant amount of work experience (at least 5 years) before they are eligible for this credential. Candidates must also pass a qualifying exam.

Forestry Career Information

Students who graduate from a forestry-related bachelor's degree program could have a number of career options to choose from. Many of these career options are specific to becoming a conservation scientist or forester.

How to Become a Conservation Scientist

Conservation scientists focus on the country's natural resources and how these resources can be safeguarded. They usually:

• Create action plans to preserve natural resources
• Develop terms for land use, including harvesting from forests
• Work in collaboration with government officials on forest conservation efforts
• Counsel farmers and other agricultural workers to help them manage and alleviate erosion and agricultural land use issues

There are several kinds of conservation scientists, and graduates of online bachelor's degree programs might be interested in becoming one of the following:

Range conservationist or range manager: These conservationists work in rangelands, and their main priority is keeping rangelands and the natural resources found within, safe. They also keep records of the various plants, animals, and soils found in rangelands. Range conservationists also try to minimize the number of invasive species that are in an area.

Soil and water conservationist: These conservationists focus on the quality of water and soil. They may work with government officials and individual landowners to preserve water levels, and provide advice on combating erosion. These conservationists could also come up with plans to help avert groundwater contamination.

Most conservation scientists work for government entities at the federal, state, and local levels. They usually work outdoors, in labs, and in offices. At times, they also conduct fieldwork in isolated areas.

A bachelor's degree is needed to become a conservation scientist. This degree can be in forestry or a closely related area like environmental science, natural resources, and agricultural science. Licensure and certification are not required to become a conservation scientist. However, those who would like to work in rangeland management can seek voluntary certification after gaining some work experience.

According to statistics published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), conservation scientists made an average annual salary of $67,040, as of May 2019. This works out to be about $32.23 an hour. On average, conservation scientists in California, New Jersey, Maryland, Connecticut, and D.C. made more than this. Average annual salaries in these states ranged from $80,510 to $93,670. This equates to about $38.71 to $45.03 an hour.

How to Become a Forester

As the name implies, foresters focus on trees and forested lands in their work. They usually:

• Keep an eye on forest regeneration efforts
• Select sites for tree planting
• Figure how timber can be taken out of forests in an environmentally conscious manner
• Oversee forest workers
• Examine soil quality

Like conservation scientists, there are different types of foresters. Some options that might be of interest include:

Urban forester: These foresters focus on trees in cities or urban areas. This work can include planting trees, maintaining trees, and ensuring that the trees are safeguarded. They also focus on the air quality and shade that trees create.

Procurement forester: These foresters work in the timber business. They create agreements concerning the sale of trees as timber. As part of their work, they have to identify and count the various types of trees in a forest, determine the value of each tree, come up with a deal for the purchase, and create the purchasing contract.

Most foresters work for state government entities and in forestry and logging. Like conservation scientists, foresters work in outdoor locations, offices, and laboratories.

A bachelor's degree is needed in forestry, environmental science, natural resources, or another closely related field. In certain states, foresters could be required to gain licensure before working in the field. Certification is not required to become a forester. However, these workers have the option to gain voluntary certification (as we've detailed above).

According to the BLS, foresters made an average annual salary of $63,270, as of May 2019. This comes out to $30.42 an hour. At the same time, foresters working in Alaska, New Jersey, California, New Hampshire, and D.C. earned higher wages. The average annual salaries for these locations ranged from $73,890 to $92,930. This equates to about $35.53 to $44.68 an hour.

Financial Aid and Scholarship Information for Forestry Degrees

Financial assistance can come in various forms when you are trying to fund your education. The first thing to do is fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA); it will tell you which, if any, grants or loans you may qualify for.

You may also apply for scholarships. Some scholarships are open to all students, while some scholarships are only available to residents of certain states or particular ethnic groups. Specific schools also offer scholarships to students. These are most often general scholarships that all students can apply for.

Some of the scholarships available include:

Pacific Forest Foundation Scholarship Program: This scholarship is available to students pursuing a degree in forestry or a closely related area such as forest management or resource management. U.S. students must be a resident of one of the western states to be eligible. Scholarship awards range between $1,000 and $3,000.

Robert E. Dougherty Educational Foundation Scholarship: At the undergraduate level, this scholarship is open to third and fourth-year students enrolled on a full-time basis. This scholarship is open to students in various majors, including forestry, natural resources, environmental science, and land management. Awards range from $1,000 to $5,000.

Intertribal Timber Council Truman D. Picard Scholarship: This scholarship is available to Native American students majoring in natural resources. College students can apply for a $2,500 scholarship, while students graduating from high school can apply for a $2,000 scholarship.

Harry Hampton Fund Scholarship: This scholarship is available to high school seniors who reside in South Carolina and will attend a college or university within the same state. To be eligible, students must major in natural resources or a related field. The award amount is $5,000, and students can receive this annual reward for 4 years.