Natural Resources Stewardship Master of Natural Resources Stewardship (M.N.R.S.)

The Master of Natural Resources Stewardship requires that students have the following:

• Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution
• A 3.0 GPA on all undergraduate coursework
• Exceptions to this are made on a case-by-case basis
• No specific prior coursework is required. Coursework in ecology and statistics is recommended
• Applications are reviewed holistically
• Some natural resources experience is required. All types of experiences (volunteer, paid, etc.) over any length of time are considered
• Check out VolunteerMatch.org for more information on volunteering opportunities.

Prepare the materials below and upload when you apply online:

Three letters of recommendation: You will provide information about your recommenders in the online application. CSU will contact them with instructions and a link to a secure form they will submit on your behalf. Request letters from at least two of the following:

• Previous or current college/university instructors
• Previous or current immediate professional supervisors
• Observers other than supervisors who can verify the professional or intellectual expertise of the applicant
  
  Note: Letters from friends, relatives or character witnesses are considered only supplemental to the three required reference letters

Resume: Outline the professional employment, collegiate work, and any publications, exhibitions, service activities, prizes, awards and other recognitions.

Statement of purpose: Compose a short response (250 words or less) to each of the four prompts below. Your narrative and written communication skills will be evaluated by faculty in the Master of Natural Resources Stewardship program.

• Describe your motivation for completing this degree. How will this coursework-intensive degree program contribute to achieving your goals?
• How will your past experiences benefit and inform the specialization to which you are applying?
• Success in graduate school takes commitment, time management, the ability to collaborate with others, and the ability to self-reflect on your own performance. Describe your strengths and weaknesses in these areas, how you would apply these in graduate school, and what steps you plan to take to help you grow in these areas.
• Describe your commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, including your past learning and contributions and/or future plans to support the CSU community commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. We encourage you to share specific example(s) of how you have helped create an environment where differences are valued, encouraged and supported.

Complete the online graduate application and pay the nonrefundable application processing fee (payable online). As soon as you have completed the required information, please submit your application. Your application will not be reviewed until it is complete and all required materials have been received. When applying, select the program of study you’re applying to:

• "Natural Resources Stewardship / Ecological Restoration (M.N.R.S.) - Distance"
• "Natural Resources Stewardship / Forest Sciences (M.N.R.S.) - Distance"
• "Natural Resources Stewardship / Rangeland Ecology and Management (M.N.R.S.) - Distance"

Request one official transcript of all collegiate work completed from all institutions attended. Transcripts from Colorado State University are not required. Transcripts must be received directly from the originating institution to be considered official.

Electronic (preferred):
Digital Transcripts must be submitted by the originating institution using a secure service such as parchment, eScrip-Safe, the National Student Clearinghouse, or e-Quals. Transcripts received via emails are considered unofficial.

Use institution code 4075 for Colorado State University or gradadmissions@colostate.edu if the secure service requires an email address.

Mail (if necessary)
Graduate Admissions
Colorado State University – Office of Admissions
1062 Campus Delivery
Fort Collins, CO 80523-1062

View your application status at any time to ensure your application checklist is complete or to check on updates.

Official transcript translation

Ensure official copies include a certified translation into English (only one set of transcripts is required).

Official test scores

Colorado State University requires that proficiency in English language be demonstrated either by the TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE academic tests prior to admission. Please submit one of the official scores from the list below. Tests must be taken within two years prior to admission and submitted directly from the Educational Testing Service (select institution code: 4075).

• The minimum TOEFL score for admission without condition is 550 (paper-based), or 80 (internet-based).
• The minimum IELTS score for admission without condition is 6.5.
• The minimum PTE Academic score for admission without condition is 58.

All applicants who are citizens of countries in which English is not the official language, and who do not have an undergraduate degree from the U.S. must submit TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE scores.