Forest and Natural Resource Sciences Graduate Program Handbook (Condensed)

Current as of February 27, 2026

Forest and Natural Resource Sciences Degree Requirements

• M.S. Thesis
• M.S. Non-thesis
• Ph. D.

Graduate School Website

Forms and Resources

Visit the Graduate School website for Current Students to for forms and other key resources. 

Calendar

Key dates for the Graduate School

Forestry and Natural Resources Graduate Student Association

Join the Forestry and Natural Resources Graduate Student Association.

Course Plan

Prior to Registering

Meet with major professor(s) to develop a tentative course plan (semester-by-semester) before registration. Submit plan to the Director of Graduate Studies for audit. Meet with advisory committee to review/modify/approve tentative course plan (before the end of the first semester).

Before End of Semester

Before the end of the semester, submit the following to the Director of Graduate Studies: 

1. Completed committee meeting report form
2. List of courses required by your committee

Tips for Smooth Progress

1. Establish your advisory/examination committee during your first semester for review of course plan (consult major professor). Below are the rules for the composition of the committee 
   1. At least 3 faculty members 
   2. At least 2 FNRS graduate faculty members (including committee chair or co-chair) 
   3. At least 1 “full” member of the graduate faculty 
   4. Ph.D. students require 4 faculty members (2 FNRS, 1 outside; 3 full members of graduate faculty) 
   5. Majority must belong to FNR faculty. The DGS can assist with the list of graduate faculty status, including who are “associate” members and who are “full” members.
2. Plan all coursework at the outset 
3. Consult the major professor and committee frequently 
4. Plan thesis research (or part of dissertation) project (Plan A) by the end of the 1^st semester
5. Stay on top of deadlines from the Graduate School
   1. “Application for Degree” (due near the beginning of the final semester; file online using “myUK”) 
   2. “Request for Final Examination” (at least 2 weeks before exam) 
   3. Final Examination: Each semester, there is a “latest possible date.” 
   4. Thesis final copy (due within 60 days of successful final examination) 
   5. Do NOT assume your PI is aware of these deadlines 
   6.  “Graduate School Forms” link on Graduate School home page 

Electronic Thesis

To submit, consult this website

Format instructions can be found here.

Assistantship Information

Assistantships Responsibilities

• Commitment and satisfactory progress toward your degree
• Satisfactory research and/or teaching performance
• Responsible to major professor and/or teaching supervisor

Benefits

Full-time is considered 20 hours per week. Research Assistants (RA) and Teaching Assistants (TA) receive a stipend. Your tuition for the fall and spring semesters is paid. “Funded Graduate Student” health insurance premium is paid on your behalf.

Tuition for Undergraduate Courses

Undergraduate course tuition is paid on behalf of TAs and RAs if:

• TA or RA also registers for > 9 graduate credits during fall or spring semester when an undergrad course is taken

OR

• Undergrad course is required by the committee for degree AND is taken for a letter grade (i.e. not Pass/Fail) 

Otherwise, graduate student TAs and RAs are generally responsible to pay their own tuition for undergraduate courses

Full-time Graduate Student

Enrolled in at least 9 graduate credits in fall/spring semesters. 

• Ph.D. students may take FOR 757 (2 credits) to maintain full-time status for one semester in anticipation of completing the qualifying examination during the semester.
• Ph.D. candidates (post qualifying exams (QE)) require FOR 767 (2 credits) to maintain full-time status. 
• M.S. students may take FOR 748 (0 credit) to maintain full-time status after completing all course work toward degree.

Health Insurance Coverage for Funded Graduate Students

“Funded Graduate Student” health insurance is a complement to “University Health Service”

TAs and RAs may enroll dependents (but student pays extra insurance premium). 

For more information, visit this website.

Recreation and Student Health Fees

For students enrolled in ≥ 9 credit hours: the Recreation Fee and University Health Service Fee is mandatory.

For students enrolled in ≥ 1 and < 9 credit hours: the Recreation Fee is mandatory (prorated for credit hours). The University Health Service is optional and must be specifically requested if you want it.

If you are enrolled only in FOR 748 (0 credit hours): the Recreation Fee is optional. The University Health Service is optional.