International Academic Programs
FER Home : International : International Academic Programs
The Department of Forestry & Environmental Resources (FER) supports several academic programs for students interested in pursuing international careers within forestry and natural resources. We also ensure that all FER students who come through the department gain an international perspective in their fields by offering globally-focused courses and study abroad opportunities throughout the undergraduate and graduate years.
FER students interested in pursuing international topics or obtaining a degree in an international field of forestry and environmental resources have several options when it comes to their education, including:
Masters in Natural Resources
FER graduate students can choose from two different degree tracks focusing on international topics. One explores science and technology, the other policy and economics. Each degree fosters an understanding of international forestry and natural resource management and prepares students for careers abroad or with internationally oriented institutions and companies in the US. Students take core courses in such areas as international relations, comparative politics, international law and organization, international economics and cross-cultural communications. In addition, they choose a regional, topical, professional or technical specialization.
Graduate students may take courses at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and Duke University at the NC State tuition rate when pursuing these degrees. For more information on inter-institutional registration, please click here. More information on our overall Graduate Student Program is available here.
The Masters International Program
A unique program available through FER allows students who are working toward advanced degrees in an international natural resources or forestry area to receive credit for Peace Corps service. For more information on this Masters International Program, including profiles of FER students and faculty who have participated in the program, please click here.
The Atlantis Program - Transatlantic Masters Program in Forest Resources
Study in Finland and Sweden, receive a master’s degree in Forestry or Natural Resources from NCSU AND a masters degree from one of two European universities. Approximately 4-5 accepted students each year will spend one year in Europe taking classes (in English) and conducting research. Students will also spend one year at NCSU and attend joint conferences and seminars. The project will provide $12,000 to offset the costs of the international travel and living expenses. These funds would be in addition to any graduate assistantship that the student may already have. Only US citizens and green card holders are eligible to apply. More information will be coming soon.
International Courses
FER's overall curriculum includes classes in such topics as
- Silviculture and Management of Forest Plantations in the Tropics (FOR782)
- Tropical Forestry (FOR583)
- Field Practicum in Tropical Forestry (FOR415/680)
- Forest History, Technology and Society (FOR248)
- World Forestry (FOR414)
In addition, FER faculty often offer special topics courses on international topics, such as agroforestry and sustainable community development.
Global Academic Partners
NC State has established academic partnerships with universities in Asia, Latin America, Scandinavia, and more — allowing FER students to pursue courses and research projects in conjunction with these institutions. For more information, visit our International Partnerships section.
Study Abroad Opportunities
FER faculty members regularly conduct international classes in such countries as Sweden, China, Bolivia, Turkey and more. Some classes are month-long summer courses, others are special spring break or short-term seminars. Still more can last an entire semester or year. For more information on Study Abroad opportunities, including upcoming classes, please click here.
NC State Grad School International
Graduate students at NC State may also want to explore the information for international students and on international programs sponsored by the NC State University Graduate School. The Grad School maintains an Office of International Programs that provides a variety of international scholar and student services.
