University of Georgia

MFR graduate assistantships are funded by the Langdale Center for Forest Business, while MS and PhD assistantships are funded by faculty research grants or the Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources. These positions are highly competitive and awarded based on academic merit and institutional needs.

Assistantships include a stipend based on the percentage of expected work contribution each week, and work duties typically require students to assist faculty members in research and projects. The assistantships also include a tuition waiver; however, student fees are not included in the waiver.

Application Deadlines

To ensure consideration for a Center for Forest Business MFR assistantship, all application materials must be received by:

  • Fall Semester: February 1
  • Spring Semester: October 1

For MS or PhD students applying for a Warnell Graduate Assistantship, deadlines are:

  • Fall Semester: December 1
  • Spring Semester: October 1

Available faculty research grant funding for MS and PhD students varies annually and applications may be accepted as late as July 1 for the fall semester. Please reach out to faculty for information on their funding availability.

Types of Assistantships

Center for Forest Business Graduate Assistantships

The Center for Forest Business MFR students are eligible for Forest Business Graduate Assistantships. These assistantships are funded through the Center for Forest Business or research grants. The Center for Forest Business also offers competitive research assistantships with local industry partners such as TimberMart-South and Forisk.

The assistantship stipend amount varies but is typically paid at 33 percent time (0.33 EFT) which requires students to work 13 hours per week while enrolled in classes. Students do not receive funding support during academic breaks between semesters and are instead encouraged to participate in internships during the summer.

Faculty and Warnell Graduate Research Assistantships

Center for Forest Business MS and PhD students are eligible for graduate research assistantships funded by research grants. Recipients are selected by the Principal Investigator (PI) of the grant and are required to assist the PI in research. The PI typically serves as the student’s Major Professor. The research assistantship stipend amount varies but is typically paid at 40 percent time (0.40 EFT) which requires students to work 16 hours per week throughout the entire calendar year.

Retention of the Assistantship

Assistantships are renewable, subject to funding availability and student performance. To retain an assistantship, students must:

  • Remain in good academic standing (not on probation with the Graduate School)
  • Satisfactorily perform assigned duties, as evaluated by their major professor, the Center for Forest Business Director, and the Graduate Coordinator

All assistantship holders are evaluated at least annually, typically during the Spring Semester. If a student is placed on probation, the assistantship may be reinstated automatically if the probation is lifted within one semester. Otherwise, re-evaluation is required by the Graduate Affairs Committee or, for research assistantships, by the Principal Investigator.

Assistantship Offer Letters

Graduate assistants and their major professors must give careful attention to the duties listed and dates covered by the original offer letter, which serves as the assistantship contract. Once funds are budgeted, it is difficult to alter dates to fit contingencies and individual plans. Offer letters are typically issued for one year and must be renewed annually by the student’s major professor and the Center for Forest Business Director (for MFR assistantships). Assistantship renewal is contingent on available funding and satisfactory performance.

During the assistantship contract period, there is no provision for annual leave or vacation. The graduate assistant’s major professor should be notified as soon as possible of an absence caused by illness. Absence for other reasons must receive approval from the graduate assistant’s major professor.

News & Announcements

01.06.2026

Alumni Spotlight: Chance Loeffler

Chance Loeffler is an alumnus of the Master of Forest Resources (MFR) program at the University of Georgia’s Warnell School of Forestry & Natural Resources and currently serves as a forester with Larson & McGowin. Through his work, Chance supports a diverse range of landowners and investors, applying the technical, analytical, and professional skills he developed during his time in the MFR program.

Read More

12.10.2025

Cut-to-Length Harvesting: When it Works and What’s Holding It Back

A recent scientific review by Bolding et al. highlights the evolution of cut-to-length (CTL) harvesting systems and why their adoption outside Scandinavia remains limited. Despite advanced features including optimized bucking, GIS-based harvest planning and mapping, machine-to-machine communication, and LiDAR-assisted thinning, CTL faces hurdles in regions like the US South where full-tree systems dominate.

Read More

Drone Forestry

11.25.2025

GIS and Forestry Innovation: Join Us at the UGA SOFOR Conference

As the forestry industry continues to modernize, one tool has become central to how professionals manage land today: Geospatial Information Systems (GIS). The Warnell School of Forestry & Natural Resources has emerged as a leader in GIS education for both students and professionals. In December, Warnell and Dr. Pete Bettinger will host The Southern Forestry GIS (SOFOR) Conference, which brings together researchers, GIS specialists, policymakers, and industry leaders to explore advanced geospatial and artificial intelligence applications in forestry.

Read More

Serving the forest business community

The Center for Forest Business serves the forest business community through education, research and service.

About Us Give Now