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.
For University of Georgia Graduate School admission requirements and to apply to the program, click here. Applicants also need to complete the Warnell Graduate Study Objectives Form. Entrance to the program and the University of Georgia Graduate School requires a 3.0 GPA. Applicants must provide a Statement of Purpose and three letters of recommendation. No GRE is required for admittance.
The MFR 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.
Students who wish to receive a graduate assistantship are strongly encouraged to visit campus to meet with potential major professors, the Center for Forest Business director, and current students.
Major Professor
Potential students should identify a major professor in their Warnell Graduate Study Objectives Form. A major professor will serve as the student’s graduate advisor while in the program, and students on assistantship will often support their major professor on research projects.
Potential students should review the Center for Forest Business faculty profiles and research areas to identify faculty members who match their interests and should contact the faculty directly. Different major professors look for different qualities in potential 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
