Forestry at Michigan State University

Programme overview

Forestry is accredited by the Society of American Foresters. Foresters are environmental scientists working on carbon sequestration, biofuels, wood products, habitat management and sustainable, biology-based economic development. The major can also be completed through Lyman Briggs College.

Faculty: College of Agriculture and Natural Resources | Study mode: full-time | Location: East Lansing, MI, United States

What you will study

Coursework in the biological and social sciences focused on natural resource, environmental and energy issues, with study abroad, independent study and professional internships.

Career pathways

Conservation planner, environmental sustainability coordinator, researcher, educator, forester and urban forester, with employers such as the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, tree care and consulting firms, and conservation groups.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Michigan State University first-year undergraduate admission (university-wide): admission is competitive with no minimum requirements and no GPA cutoff; the Fall 2026 enrolled middle 50% had a high school GPA of 3.5 to 4.0. Minimum college-preparatory curriculum: 4 years English, 3 years mathematics (2 algebra, 1 geometry), 3 years social studies, 2 years science, 2 years of a single foreign language. Test optional (ACT/SAT not required). Early action deadline Nov. 1 (also maximum scholarship consideration).

Requirements published at program group level.

Tuition is charged per credit, so the total depends on the modules you register for each year. Current fees are listed in the official fee schedule.

Most first-year students enter in the fall semester. Admission to other semesters may be limited or not available at all.

Transfer applicants can apply for fall (August start), spring (January start) and summer (May start) semesters. International transfer students are not eligible for summer admission.

First-year early action deadline is Nov. 1 (non-binding), with an admission decision by Jan. 15 and the acceptance fee due by May 1. Regular admission has a Feb. 1 priority deadline (decision by Mar. 31) and a final application deadline of Apr. 1, with rolling decisions after Feb. 1. MSU is test optional: applicants may apply without an ACT or SAT score.

The first-year application fee is $75 (or an application fee waiver if eligible). First-year applicants can apply through the MSU application or the Coalition application with Scoir. The application for fall 2027 opens in August.

International first-year applicants have the same deadlines: early action Nov. 1, priority Feb. 1, final Apr. 1, acceptance fee by May 1.

Transfer application deadlines: fall April 1, spring open until capacity is reached, summer March 1. International transfer applicants for fall have a March 1 deadline and must pay the acceptance fee by April 1.

Apply through the official page: https://admissions.msu.edu/apply/first-year

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