Forest Carbon Science, Policy & Management
Graduate Certificate
Online
Course Delivery
9
Total Credits
$938
Credit Hour
1 year
Minimum Duration
Program Overview
The Graduate Certificate in Forest Carbon Science, Policy, and Management is an online program offered through the Forest Carbon and Climate Program (FCCP) with the Department of Forestry. The Certificate is designed to enhance understanding and implementation of climate-smart forest management, which inextricably links climate change mitigation and adaptation. Learners will complete three courses: 1) Human Dimensions of Forest Carbon Management, 2) Measurement and Monitoring of Forest Carbon, and 3) Forest Carbon Policy, Economics and Finance. These courses can be completed in any order and build a robust understanding of forest carbon science, methodologies, and practices being used in the field today.
The Graduate Certificate is open to a wide range of participants, including recent graduates, those enrolled in an MS or PhD program, and lifelong learners. The only requirement for admission is completion of a bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year program. While a background in forestry, natural resources, environmental sciences, or a related field is favorable, resources will be made available to accommodate those with a limited scientific background.
Program Outcomes
The Graduate Certificate equips participants with a practical set of interdisciplinary tools and the conceptual background to plan, implement, manage, and evaluate forestry-based climate change mitigation projects. Participants in the Certificate program learn the scientific foundations of climate change and forest-climate interactions, how forest management affects forest carbon balance, the ins and outs of forest carbon markets, the social context of forest carbon sequestration, and the tools for measuring, monitoring, and accounting for forest carbon - including satellite imagery, remote sensing, and integrated carbon sequestration models.
Career Outlook
Certification will provide an edge for those competing for opportunities in forest carbon project development, REDD+ policy, and carbon offset investment advising for corporations, governments, and non-governmental organizations. Participants of the Graduate Certificate include current graduate students, early professionals, and mid- to upper-level professionals. Participants will be connected to an alumni network through our online FCCP Community, where they can access job alerts, emerging news/publications, and connect with their peers and the FCCP. The Graduate Certificate is open to a wide range of participants, including recent graduates, those enrolled in an MS or PhD program, or recent graduates.
A Top-Ranked Education
- 60th Best Public Universities in America — U.S. News & World Report, 2024
- 123rd Global University — U.S. News & World Report, 2024
Dr. Emily S. Silver
Interim Director of the Forest Carbon and Climate Program
Dr. Emily J. Silver (formerly Dr. Emily S. Huff) is an Associate Professor, Associate Chair, Director of Graduate Studies, and Interim Director of the Forest Carbon and Climate Program at Michigan State University in the Department of Forestry. Dr. Silver earned her M.S in Natural Resources Science and Management from the University of Minnesota and her Ph.D. in Forestry from the University of Maine. She studies coupled human and natural systems in two ways: 1) integrating social and ecological data to predict effects of human behavior on forest ecosystems and 2) measuring the influence of resource quality and availability on decision-making. She studies topics like agroforestry, family forest owners, wildfire social acceptability, knowledge co-production, wood-based bioenergy, mass timber, and biochar. She also has an Extension appointment and is passionate about helping Michigan citizens with natural resource concerns and questions. At MSU, she teaches Human Dimensions of Forestry and has taught Natural Resource Policy. Prior to joining the faculty at MSU, Dr. Silver worked for the USDA Forest Service’s Northern Research Station as a Research Forester. Dr. Silver is also serving as the Co Editor-in-Chief of the scientific journalSociety & Natural Resources, as president of theMichigan Forest Association, and serves on the board of the U.S. Biochar Initiative and the Society of American Forester’s Forest Science and Technology committee.
Course Information
Core
FOR 833 - Human Dimensions of Forest Carbon Management (3 Credits)
FOR 835 - Forest Carbon Policy, Economics and Finance (3 Credits)
FOR 837 - Measurement and Monitoring of Forest Carbon (3 Credits)
Learning Experiences
Students must complete the core classes.
Admissions and Requirements
To be accepted to this program, you must have:
- A bachelor's degree
- Taken the TOEFL (Only required if English is not your native language)
- 3 Letters of recommendation. Provide contact information for your recommenders and the MSU application system will provide instructions to them.
- Official transcripts from all previous schools
To apply to this program:
- Complete a university graduate application and pay the application fee.
- Submit all required materials to the application portal.
Key Dates
Rolling Applications Students can start the program in any semester. We recommend applications are submitted at least one month prior to the start of the semester to allow time for processing.
Tuition & Fees per credit
In-State Tuition
Out-of-State Tuition
$938
$938
Cost of Attendance
The university reserves the right to make changes in the types, structures, rates for fees, and tuition. Every effort will be made to give as much advance notice as possible. In addition to tuition and fees, there are other expenses associated with your Cost of Attendance. A breakdown of a graduate student budget can be found here.
Program Overview
The Graduate Certificate in Forest Carbon Science, Policy, and Management is an online program offered through the Forest Carbon and Climate Program (FCCP) with the Department of Forestry. The Certificate is designed to enhance understanding and implementation of climate-smart forest management, which inextricably links climate change mitigation and adaptation. Learners will complete three courses: 1) Human Dimensions of Forest Carbon Management, 2) Measurement and Monitoring of Forest Carbon, and 3) Forest Carbon Policy, Economics and Finance. These courses can be completed in any order and build a robust understanding of forest carbon science, methodologies, and practices being used in the field today.
The Graduate Certificate is open to a wide range of participants, including recent graduates, those enrolled in an MS or PhD program, and lifelong learners. The only requirement for admission is completion of a bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year program. While a background in forestry, natural resources, environmental sciences, or a related field is favorable, resources will be made available to accommodate those with a limited scientific background.
Program Outcomes
The Graduate Certificate equips participants with a practical set of interdisciplinary tools and the conceptual background to plan, implement, manage, and evaluate forestry-based climate change mitigation projects. Participants in the Certificate program learn the scientific foundations of climate change and forest-climate interactions, how forest management affects forest carbon balance, the ins and outs of forest carbon markets, the social context of forest carbon sequestration, and the tools for measuring, monitoring, and accounting for forest carbon - including satellite imagery, remote sensing, and integrated carbon sequestration models.
Career Outlook
Certification will provide an edge for those competing for opportunities in forest carbon project development, REDD+ policy, and carbon offset investment advising for corporations, governments, and non-governmental organizations. Participants of the Graduate Certificate include current graduate students, early professionals, and mid- to upper-level professionals. Participants will be connected to an alumni network through our online FCCP Community, where they can access job alerts, emerging news/publications, and connect with their peers and the FCCP. The Graduate Certificate is open to a wide range of participants, including recent graduates, those enrolled in an MS or PhD program, or recent graduates.
A Top-Ranked Education
- 60th Best Public Universities in America — U.S. News & World Report, 2024
- 123rd Global University — U.S. News & World Report, 2024
Dr. Emily S. Silver
Interim Director of the Forest Carbon and Climate Program
Dr. Emily J. Silver (formerly Dr. Emily S. Huff) is an Associate Professor, Associate Chair, Director of Graduate Studies, and Interim Director of the Forest Carbon and Climate Program at Michigan State University in the Department of Forestry. Dr. Silver earned her M.S in Natural Resources Science and Management from the University of Minnesota and her Ph.D. in Forestry from the University of Maine. She studies coupled human and natural systems in two ways: 1) integrating social and ecological data to predict effects of human behavior on forest ecosystems and 2) measuring the influence of resource quality and availability on decision-making. She studies topics like agroforestry, family forest owners, wildfire social acceptability, knowledge co-production, wood-based bioenergy, mass timber, and biochar. She also has an Extension appointment and is passionate about helping Michigan citizens with natural resource concerns and questions. At MSU, she teaches Human Dimensions of Forestry and has taught Natural Resource Policy. Prior to joining the faculty at MSU, Dr. Silver worked for the USDA Forest Service’s Northern Research Station as a Research Forester. Dr. Silver is also serving as the Co Editor-in-Chief of the scientific journalSociety & Natural Resources, as president of theMichigan Forest Association, and serves on the board of the U.S. Biochar Initiative and the Society of American Forester’s Forest Science and Technology committee.
Course Information
Core
FOR 833 - Human Dimensions of Forest Carbon Management (3 Credits)
FOR 835 - Forest Carbon Policy, Economics and Finance (3 Credits)
FOR 837 - Measurement and Monitoring of Forest Carbon (3 Credits)
Learning Experiences
Students must complete the core classes.
Admissions and Requirements
To be accepted to this program, you must have:
- A bachelor's degree
- Taken the TOEFL (Only required if English is not your native language)
- 3 Letters of recommendation. Provide contact information for your recommenders and the MSU application system will provide instructions to them.
- Official transcripts from all previous schools
To apply to this program:
- Complete a university graduate application and pay the application fee.
- Submit all required materials to the application portal.
Key Dates
Rolling Applications Students can start the program in any semester. We recommend applications are submitted at least one month prior to the start of the semester to allow time for processing.
Tuition & Fees per credit
In-State Tuition
Out-of-State Tuition
$938
$938
Cost of Attendance
The university reserves the right to make changes in the types, structures, rates for fees, and tuition. Every effort will be made to give as much advance notice as possible. In addition to tuition and fees, there are other expenses associated with your Cost of Attendance. A breakdown of a graduate student budget can be found here.
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