COLLEGE OF APPLIED & NATURAL SCIENCES
Forestry
The Forestry Program cultivates knowledge through teaching, research, and service activities related to the conservation and management of renewable natural resources and their sustainable use. Upon completion of the Forestry curriculum, you will earn a Bachelor of Science in Forestry (Loading…), with available concentrations in Forest Management and Wildlife Habitat Management.
Students majoring in forestry are joining the #1 Forestry Program in the South and a top-ranked program nationally. Students are required to maintain a minimum grade of “C” on all professional (Forestry Core) courses and a minimum grade point average of 2.0 on all courses taken. Students are encouraged to complete at least one internship (on-the-job experience) during their course of study, though an internship is not required.
The educational program in Forestry leading to the professional BSF degree is accredited by the Society of American Foresters (SAF). The Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) recognizes SAF as the specialized accrediting body for forestry and natural resources education in the United States and Canada.
Job Opportunities
Over the last ten years we have sustained 100% job placement, with 87% of graduates ending up in forestry-related careers or becoming graduate students. Jobs for graduates of the two curricula are found in all sectors of the economy: business, communication, defense, education, engineering, government at all levels, health and human services, natural resources, transportation, and many others. The list below features just some examples of job opportunities that stem from success in our program.
- Forest products industry
- Forestry federal or state agencies
- Forestry consulting
- Forest plant management trainee/technician
- Forest researcher
- Forest nursery coordinator
- Sales representative
- Extension Agent
- Laboratory technician
- Quality control specialist
- Wildlife biologist
- Wildlife habitat restoration specialist
- Animal caretaker
- Consultant
- Private conservation organization
Field Session
Successful completion of the Forestry Summer Field Session at the end of the sophomore year is a requirement. Students who have completed all prerequisites— all 100-level courses, FOR 200, and GISC 250— and have at least an overall “C” average are eligible to enroll. Field Session students are also required to meet the conditions as outlined in the Forestry Summer Field Session Academic and Operating Policies document, which is available from the School of Agricultural Sciences and Forestry upon request.
Field Trips
Throughout the Forestry program, field trips are made to forest production areas, wood-using plants, and wildlife management areas. These field trips enable students to observe forestry, wildlife management, research, and wood-using activities of private land owners, private companies, and government agencies. Campus is located near many areas that foster learning experiences for all Forestry students.
Transfer Credit
Students may complete 62 semester hours of the Forestry major at regionally accredited institutions. However, transfer credit will only be accepted for courses completed with a “C” or better grade and must be approved during the student’s first quarter at Tech.
This agreement facilitates the transfer of students earning a diploma in Forest Technology at SOWELA or CLTCC to the Bachelor of Science in Forestry at Louisiana Tech University. Any student who has attained the Forest Technology Technical Diploma at SOWELA will be admitted to the Bachelor of Science in Forestry at Louisiana Tech with status of acceptance into the summer forestry program, subject to the provisions listed in the agreement.