Natural resources | Fire ecology and management option
Master of Natural Resources
Overview
Related Topics
Lead fire solutions for healthy ecosystems
Extreme wildfire behavior is on the rise as one of the most significant forces shaping landscapes, ecosystems and communities. Join the nation’s largest graduate degree program focused on fire ecology.
Key program details
- $649 per credit*
- 30 credits to complete
- 3 enrollment terms per year
- Fully online or in person
- Dedicated support staff
The fire ecology and management option of the Master of Natural Resources (M.N.R.) degree prepares you to understand fire not only as a natural process, but also as a complex challenge requiring science-based management, communication and leadership.
“Unlike many other advanced degree programs, University of Idaho designed its MNR program with the working professional and non-traditional student in mind…This is one of the best decisions I have made thus far in my career. The quality of instruction, the variety of courses, and the willingness of the professors to accommodate my hectic schedule during the fire season are reasons I know I made the right decision.”
- Darcy McDaniel, MNR-Fire graduate, former Hotshot, and former US Forest Service Assistant Director, Fire and Aviation Management.
Designed for working professionals and students from diverse academic backgrounds entering the discipline, this program can be completed 100% online — on your schedule around work or the fire season.
Connect with the CNR Graduate Studies Office to request more info.
Develop expertise in wildfire management through coursework in fire ecology, fire behavior, policy, GIS and remote sensing. Built for working professionals, the flexible M.N.R. can be completed fully online or through a mix of online and on-campus courses. *Additional $35 per credit online course fee.
As part of one of the nation’s largest natural resources graduate programs, you’ll learn from internationally recognized faculty and experienced practitioners working in wildfire science and management today with the support of dedicated staff. Graduates advance careers in wildland fire management, fuels management, restoration, policy, natural resources leadership and related fields across public agencies, nonprofits and private industry.
This degree could be a good fit if you:
- Want to advance your career in wildfire or natural resources management
- Are interested in fire ecology, restoration and land stewardship
- Want to earn a graduate degree while continuing to work full time, even on the fire line
- Prefer flexible online learning designed with working professionals in mind
- Enjoy systems thinking, problem solving and applied science and coursework you can fold into your real job tasks
- Want to strengthen leadership and decision-making skills in natural resources fields
Professional organizations
Graduates of this program are qualified to apply for certification as a Wildland Fire Ecologist through the Association for Fire Ecology.
Ignite Your Career
Curriculum and research opportunities
The Master of Natural Resources in fire ecology and management is a 30-credit, non-thesis, course-based graduate degree designed to provide advanced, applied training in wildfire science and natural resources management. The curriculum combines core fire science coursework with flexible electives and hands-on learning opportunities that allow you to tailor the program to your professional goals.
Fast facts:
- 30 course-based semester credits, non-thesis program designed for working professionals.
- Students may complete the degree in just three semesters.
- Up to 12 applicable credits can be transferred into the program.
- Can be completed entirely online or in-person.
- No GRE required.
- Program is for starting or advancing careers in fire ecology.
- Eligible for federal financial aid.
- Apply year-round.
Core coursework includes:
- 14 core credits
- Fuels inventory and monitoring
- fire ecology
- Science synthesis and communication
- Advanced fire behavior
- Wildland fire policy
- Two courses in tools and technology
- One course in ecology and management
- Two courses in policy, planning, and society
Students develop a final comprehensive portfolio demonstrating applied knowledge, professional growth and career-ready skills.
The program offers more than 60 online natural resources courses and includes opportunities to complete a concurrent Fire Ecology and Management Technology Certificate. Graduates are also qualified to apply for certification as a Wildland Fire Ecologist through the Association for Fire Ecology.
Career outcomes
Current job openings
2,210 in ID, WA, OR, MT and HIPotential careers and mid-career salaries
- Forest and Conservation Workers
$41,687 - Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists
$64,165 - Conservation Scientists • Park Naturalists
$77,180 - Foresters
$71,372 - Natural Sciences Managers
$152,866
* Career data provided by Lightcast.
Costs and funding
There is no full-time or out of state tuition rate for the Master of Natural Resources (FEM, REHM, INR and FWSM options).
All students pay the same flat, per-credit tuition, regardless of residency, term or enrollment status. MNR courses are $649 per credit hour for campus and online courses, plus a $35 per credit fee for online courses. Some courses may include additional fees.
Connect with the University of Idaho Financial Aid Office to discover how this program falls within current graduate funding caps.
Company tuition assistance
Many employers offer tuition assistance or professional development reimbursement — explore your company's benefits or speak with your HR department or manager.
Contact information
Program contact:
Have questions about the program, research opportunities or the graduate student experience? Connect with our program team for personalized assistance about curriculum, faculty guidance and application requirements.
College of Natural Resources Graduate Studies Office: cnr-grad-studies@uidaho.edu
208-885-1505
For questions related to admissions, application materials, transcripts or enrollment steps, contact Graduate Admissions:
Graduate Admissions: graduateadmissions@uidaho.edu
208-885-4001
Interested in research areas or finding a major professor? Explore faculty expertise, research interests and advising opportunities on the department’s faculty page.
Application information
Applicants for the MNR in natural resources, fire ecology and management must meet the following degree-specific admission requirements:
- Education level: Bachelor's
- GPA: 3.0
- GRE: No
- TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo: 79/6.5/115 (for applicants whose education was completed in countries where English is not an official language)
- Number of references: Two
Program availability
- Concentration: Non-thesis
- Semester intake: Fall, spring and summer
- Deadlines: The MNR program has rolling admissions – priority deadlines are as follows:
- Fall semester — April 1
- Spring semester — Nov. 1
- Start dates: Fall, spring and summer
- View the academic calendar to see start and end dates
Visit Graduate Admissions to learn more and start your application.
Have questions?
Have questions about the program? Connect with our program director or request more information from the CNR Graduate Studies Office to learn about curriculum, faculty advisors, research opportunities, graduate funding and career outcomes.
Faculty, courses and support
You’ll learn from world-class researchers and active practitioners working in wildfire science and natural resources management today. Small class sizes support strong student-to-faculty interaction, while dedicated College of Natural Resources graduate studies faculty and staff provide guidance and support throughout your graduate experience — from application through graduation.
Leda Kobziar
Program faculty
Learn from internationally recognized fire scientists and active practitioners advancing wildfire science, restoration ecology and natural resources management.
MNR in fire ecology and management faculty
Alistair Smith
Professor and Department ChairElise Kokenge
Director of CNR Graduate Studies, Assistant Research ProfessorFrank Wilhelm
Professor of Limnology, Department Head, Associate Director, Center for Research on Invasive SpeciesJan U.H. Eitel
Associate ProfessorJason W. Karl
Director of the U of I Rangeland Center, Professor of Rangeland Ecology, and Harold F. and Ruth M. Heady Endowed Chair of Rangeland EcologyKaren Launchbaugh
Professor of Rangeland EcologyKarla Eitel
Director, McCall Field Campus; Professor of Place-Based Environmental EducationKerri Vierling
Associate Dean; Professor of Wildlife ResourcesLeda Kobziar
Professor of Wildland Fire Science, Director of Master of Natural Resources ProgramLisette Waits
Distinguished Professor of Wildlife ResourcesMary Engels
Assistant ProfessorRandall Brooks
Professor and Extension Specialist in ForestryDennis Becker
Dean of the College of Natural Resources
Why earn a MNR in fire ecology and management from U of I?
- Build advanced expertise in wildfire science, fire behavior, fuels management and ecological restoration.
- Complete your degree fully online while starting or advancing your career fire or natural resources.
- Learn from internationally recognized fire scientists and active practitioners working in the field today.
- Strengthen your technical skills with GIS and modern fire management tools and technology.
- Prepare for leadership roles in wildfire management, land stewardship, restoration and natural resources policy.
Rethinking wildfire in the West
University of Idaho researchers are helping communities, land managers and scientists better understand the growing complexity of wildfire across the western United States.
Microbes hidden in wildfire smoke
University of Idaho researchers discovered wildfire smoke carries trillions of living microbes, reshaping how scientists understand fire, ecosystems and atmospheric science.