Overview
The Center for Forest Business offers a graduate-level non-thesis educational program leading to a Master of Forest Resources (MFR) in Forest Business Management. Our Society of American Foresters (SAF) accredited MFR degree combines business principles with advanced forestry techniques so students can optimize forest management strategies and global timber market opportunities. Master of Science (MS) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programs focused in forest business, finance, and economics are also offered.
We welcome and accept students who hold undergraduate degrees in any field, although most of our students have degrees related to forestry, natural resources, or business management.
Our graduate degrees in Forest Business is designed to help students develop the necessary skills for positions of leadership in forest operations management, timberland investing, or education in the private or public sector. This degree program combines the principles of:
- Finance
- Economics
- Management
- Operations
- Silviculture
- Mensuration
- Biometrics
- Optimization
- Leadership
Thanks to a unique partnership, Center for Forest Business students can take accounting, finance, economics, real estate, and other business coursework through the University of Georgia’s Terry College of Business. The Terry College of Business was ranked the #1 MBA in value by Financial Times and the #27 overall business school by U.S. News & World Report.
In addition to rigorous academic preparation, our students participate in a range of formative experiences including internships, forestry operations tours, and forest investment conferences. Many of these opportunities are international, reflecting the global nature of today’s forest business environment.
Degree requirements Career paths
Financial Support
The Center for Forest Business provides financial support to our graduate students through paid assistantships, scholarships, and conference travel support funds. Assistantships, which include tuition waivers, are available to qualified students. Nearly all our students receive assistantships, scholarships, and/or conference travel support while at the Center for Forest Business.
Application Process
Acceptance to the Center for Forest Business graduate program is competitive. Before applying, students must contact the Center for Forest Business Director and schedule a meeting to discuss their interest in the program and career goals. In-person campus visits are highly encouraged.
Potential students should identify a major professor prior to submitting their application. A major professor will serve as the student’s graduate advisor while in the program, and students on assistantship support their major professor on research and business-related projects.
Entrance to the Center for Forest Business and the University of Georgia Graduate School requires a 3.0 GPA. Applicants must provide a Statement of Purpose, resume, transcripts, and three letters of recommendation.
To apply, submit your application to the University of Georgia Graduate School and complete the Warnell Graduate Study Objectives Form. Application deadlines for the Center for Forest Business program and for MFR Forest Business Graduate Assistantships are February 1 for Fall Semester and October 1 for Spring Semester. For MS and PhD students who wish to be considered for a Warnell Graduate Research Assistantships, application deadlines are December 1 for Fall Semester and October 1 for Spring Semester.
Major Professor
Potential students should review the Center for Forest Business faculty profiles and identify potential major professors who match their interests. Students should contact the faculty directly to introduce themselves and determine if the faculty member is a good fit for them as their major professor. Faculty will also evaluate potential students, and different major professors look for different qualities in their students. In general, when contacting a potential major professor, students should:
- Write in a concise, professional, and respectful manner
- Discuss their academic and professional qualifications
- Demonstrate that they are contacting that faculty member because they are aware of and interested in the faculty member’s work and expertise, and then explain how the faculty research connects with their interest
- Include personal interests, goals, and motivations for graduate education
- Include a resume / CV, transcripts, or other pertinent documents
- Address any responses from the potential major professor in a timely and professional manner
