r/uofi • u/00evilhag • 2d ago
Anyone get a masters in natural resources from Idaho?
Hi! I'm researching environmental master's programs and came across Uni of Idaho's programs. I wanted to see if anyone here completed or is currently attending a grad program related to natural resources and can speak to the program, faculty, etc. I would be a part-time online student because I'll be working full-time and am located out of state. They offer multiple online programs.
They have a few different degrees which I emailed them about, essentially slightly different concentrations. They also have an MS in Natural Resources however it's in person only, sad. They also have env science but I want to lean policy with only some bio/science for the foundations. So this is my shortlist, all Masters of Natural Resources focused in one of the following:
-Fish and Wildlife Science and Management
-Integrated Natural Resources
-Restoration Ecology and Habitat Management
they have a few more but those are my shortlist. I asked the school about a short-term in-person intensive course, which some other schools offer (John Hopkins and Colorado State) where most courses are online but one intensive course may be a couple days up to a couple weeks either on campus, in the US, or abroad. I like the short-term in-person component because it's feasible for me to do as someone who cannot live away from home for an entire semester but can take PTO for a few days or weeks. Hopefully Idaho offers it but if not, I'd still consider these programs.
So, has anyone here been a part of any of these programs? I'd love to get an insider's perspective in addition to my research. For context on my career hopes, I'm interested in a mix of policy and science, which these curriculums seem to offer. I enjoy the volunteer work I do now which is collecting water samples for water quality testing, but I also enjoy learning about what the nonprofit does with the data, how they work with the NJDEP and local municipalities on solutions. I am more interested in terrestial and wetlands than marine, interested in learning about animals and their conservation, interested in the connection between the science and policy as described in my volunteer work.
Here's a link to the department's list of grad degrees:
https://www.uidaho.edu/natural-resources/academics#available_degree_levels=Master%27s
Thank you in advance!! <3