Academics
Build the skills to change the world.
Earn your master of natural resources in just 10.5 months through the Environmental Education and Science Communication (EESC) program at the University of Idaho. As a graduate resident at the McCall Field Campus, you'll gain hands-on experience through immersive coursework and a field-based teaching practicum.
This program prepares you to be an effective educator, scientist and communicator—able to connect diverse audiences with the natural world. You'll build professional skills in science communication, leadership, place-based education and ecology, helping you make a lasting impact and pursue meaningful, mission-driven work.
Request more information
Learn more about degrees offered at the McCall Field Campus.
Master of natural resources
The Environmental Education and Science Communication degree is a fellowship in which you earn your master of natural resources in academic residency. Live at the McCall Field Campus while you take coursework in science communication, leadership, place-based education and ecology. Gain hands-on experience by applying academic content directly to your role as a field instructor at the nationally recognized McCall Outdoor Science School (MOSS).
Prospective graduate students from across all disciplines should apply—we value the diversity of thinking that comes from a variety of backgrounds. Our program is inclusive and we seek sincere, hardworking, creative applicants who demonstrate a desire to learn and a willingness to facilitate youth programs.
Degree highlights
- 32 credit, non-thesis program
- Completed in 10.5 months
- No GRE required
Time in the wilderness
Students in the MNR program can visit University of Idaho’s Taylor Wilderness Research Station, located in the heart of the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness — the largest contiguous wilderness area in the continental United States. During your time at Taylor, you can explore the surrounding backcountry, reflect on your learning and experience the rich ecological diversity of a remote research hub home to mountain lions, wolves, bears, elk, bighorn sheep and mountain goats.
This program alternates between a week of classes and teaching practicum:
- Class weeks consist of a preset schedule of day-long classes led by University of Idaho faculty—often including field trips to local sites and guest speakers—to teach the broad concepts of environmental education and science communication.
- Practicum weeks are spent in the field as part of the MOSS program, leading K12 students throughout Ponderosa State Park to connect them to the natural world through place- and inquiry-based educational techniques, while receiving feedback on teaching and curriculum development skills.
Master of natural resources
Learn more about obtaining a master's of natural resources degree.
Add hands-on science education and communication experience to your Ph.D. or M.S. program.
The graduate certificate in environmental education and science communication is designed for motivated Ph.D. and M.S. students who wish to diversify their skill set and broaden the impact of their graduate work.
- This is a 10 month on-site residential certificate program.
- Students in this option may be co-enrolled at any university.
- Certificate students are matched with a University of Idaho faculty advisor in addition to working under their home advisor and thesis/dissertation committee.
- You pick the courses and outreach experiences you want to meet your professional goals.
Tuition, fees and fellowship
The MOSS Graduate Program is one of the best values in our industry. Because we are a University of Idaho program, our offerings are very cost effective. Keeping student costs affordable is at the forefront of our thinking.
Tuition and fees listed are for the current academic year and are subject to increase at least 3% each spring semester as directed by the State Board of Education.
Required costs for the MNR program
| Tuition | Books | Total | |
| Fall | $13,767 | $100 | $13,867 |
| Spring | $13,767 | $100 | $13,867 |
| Summer | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total | $27,734 |
Required costs for the certificate program
| Tuition | Books | Total | |
| Fall | $10,884 | $100 | $10,984 |
| Spring | $10,884 | $100 | $10,984 |
| Summer | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total | $21,968 |
Optional costs*
| Housing - Yurt | Housing - Cabin | Meal plan - orientation | Meal plan - semester | |
| Fall | $0 | $0 | $320 | $1320 |
| Spring | $0 | $0 | $100 | $1670 |
| Summer | $0 | $0 | N/A | N/A |
*You will have the choice to live on or off campus and to cook on your own or enjoy the meal plan. If you would like to live on campus, you can submit a request upon enrollment until the available housing is filled.
*Should there be changes in K12 program schedule, the semester meal plan will be adjusted to match and refunds at the end of the semester will occur.
Courses taken outside of the MNR EESC curriculum will be charged at part-time student tuition rates.
Program deposit
If you are offered a position in the program and accept our offer, we require a $1,500 nonrefundable deposit. Please contact us if you need to spread this payment out over time. The deposit is directly applied to your first semester bill which is typically issued in early August.
Student health insurance
Health insurance is required for all degree-seeking students enrolled for 4 or more credits on the Moscow campus and enrolled in 8 or more credits on other university campuses. Students with insurance that meets the university requirements can waive coverage in the University Student Health Insurance Program (SHIP). The approximate cost of the U of I SHIP program is $906/semester.
Required wilderness first aid certification
All MOSS graduate students must be certified in Wilderness First Aid from an accredited program such as NOLS Wilderness Medicine, Wilderness Medical Associates or SOLO. We host a NOLS Wilderness Medicine WFA/CPR combo the weekend before orientation. Learn about Wilderness Medicine course offerings.
Since this certification is required to participate in the program, University of Idaho will cover the price of the Wilderness First Aid course. Students with preexisting or more comprehensive training (Wilderness First Responder or Wilderness Emergency Medical Technicians) will not be reimbursed.
Additional financial aid
EESC fellowship
The environmental education and science communication program automatically awards a one-time payment of $1000.00 to all eligible students. These fellowships are merit and need based. They are not based on work or services rendered.
Scholarships
You are encouraged to apply for any and all external grants and scholarships. Search through Scholarship Universe, open to current and newly admitted U of I students, to see a variety of scholarships.
As part of the University of Idaho, we have access to their resources and support. Contact the Financial Aid office for more information about loans and grants.
Part-time jobs at MOSS
On-campus jobs will be available up to 20 hours a week during the school year, and work will be available to any student who wants it. Some students in the past have taken part-time jobs on weekends, but due to the intensive nature of the 10.5-month program, few students find time to work during the week while balancing field teaching and classwork. Some students also stay in McCall over the holiday break and find temporary work in town—especially at the local ski hill!
Part-time job opportunities are available at MOSS in various departments. Specific project and jobs vary from year to year. Students apply for and begin their jobs near the beginning of October, after orientation ends. Examples of positions include campus assistant, marketing research and assistant, gear management and logistics, kitchen support and campus maintenance support. These positions pay $15/hour.
Student loans
MOSS students are eligible for federal financial aid programs. Students are automatically considered for merit-based scholarships. To receive consideration for need-based aid, fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid. You must file by December 1st to receive priority consideration for all aid.
Frequently asked questions
What are room and board costs like at the McCall Field Campus?
Housing is free.
Is there housing available on the McCall Field Campus?
There are double occupancy lodging spaces available that can house two students. These spaces are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Once all available housing spaces have been filled, additional accepted students will need to make housing arrangements in McCall or the surrounding area. University policy does not allow pets (emotional support animals are an exception). Non-student family members can be considered after all student demand for housing has been met.
Are there laundry facilities on campus?
Laundry facilities are available at the laundromat ½ a mile away from campus.
What’s the food like?
The McCall Field Campus meal plan includes all meals we cook for the MOSS K12 Residential Program. If there is a school group on campus, graduates have the option to eat with program participants. When school groups aren’t present, the meal plan is not in service. While the menu can (and does!) change according to the availability of ingredients, recipe tweaks and special requests, you can always count on tasty, kid-friendly meals with multiple fruit and vegetable options. If you have any food allergies or special dietary restrictions, the kitchen staff will work with you to meet your needs.
Do graduate students have access to a kitchen?
On campus residents have access to "Cook's Cabin," which includes a full kitchen and bathroom.
Graduate certificate
Pursue a graduate certificate in environmental education and science communication.