Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) | Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources
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Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
For students who have a desire to move into higher education or become highly proficient within a narrow field of expertise, a doctor of philosophy degree may be the best choice. Warnell's graduates go on to work in research and specialist positions, or as university faculty. Areas of discipline available to Ph.D. candidates are:
Community Forestry and Arboriculture
Environmental Education
Fisheries Science
Forest Biology
Forest Business
Forestry
Geospatial Information Science (GIS)
Parks, Recreation and Tourism
Policy and Sustainability
Water and Soil Resources
Wildlife Sciences
*can be declared as official area of emphasis
Curriculum
The PhD requires a dissertation and a minimum of 30 hours of consecutive course work, but additional courses may be required by the student’s Advisory Committee.
Courses
Hours
FANR 9000 (Doctoral Research)
FANR 9300 (Doctoral Dissertation)
8000/9000 level course work
1,2,3
16
Any level course work
Total
30
PhD students are required to take 1 hour of Forestry and Natural Resources Seminar Series (FANR 8060).
Fisheries and Wildlife students only: 1 hour of graduate seminar (e.g., WILD(FISH) 8300, ECOL 8220, CBIO 8490, etc.) is required.
FANR 9990 (Supervised Teaching Practicum in Forestry and Natural Resources) must be taken for one credit hour if student does not enroll in FANR 8900 (University Teaching in Forestry and Natural Resources).
PhD students without an MS degree must take an additional 4 hours in courses open only to graduate students.
Note:
Students matriculating in fall 2022 or later are required to take a GradFIRST (GRSC 7001) seminar during their first or second semester. The faculty-led seminars provide first-year graduate students with foundational training in research, scholarship, and professional development. More GradFIRST seminars are scheduled for fall semesters than spring (no summer offerings). This requirement must be included on the program of study as a “University Requirement” but is in addition to the courses required for degree completion.
Learn More about GradFIRST
Ph.D. Checklist
Doctoral programs are a marathon, not a sprint. Here is an overview of the various requirements and deadlines that must be met in order to stay on track to graduate. While this is applicable to admitted students, it's helpful to understand the process before you begin (
download a printable version of this list
).
Before the end of your first calendar year…
Advisory Committee is appointed and meets for the first time
Submit Advisory Committee,
Program of Study, and
Research Prospectus forms
After you have completed coursework…
Schedule Written Comprehensive Exam with Committee
After passing your Written Exam, schedule your Oral Comprehensive Exam
(At least) three weeks before your Oral Comprehensive Exam…
Submit the Notice of Examination form with the details of your Oral Comprehensive Exam
Admitted to Candidacy
Admission to Candidacy form is filled out by Graduate Programs Office and placed in student’s file for signatures at time of Oral Comprehensive Examination.
The semester before you graduate…
Make a graduation check appointment with Warnell Graduate Office
Submit your application for graduation through Athena
Submit a Recommended Change in Program of Study (if applicable)
Your last semester…
Submit the dissertation to the Graduate School (for format check) and
to the Advisory Committee (at least 2 weeks prior to your defense)
Schedule your Dissertation Seminar and Defense and Exit Interview
(At least) three weeks before your Dissertation Seminar and Defense…
Submit the Notice of Examination form
Let us know if you will be attending Warnell's convocation
Learn more about degree procedures
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Warnell School of Forestry
and Natural Resources
University of Georgia
180 E Green Street
Athens, GA 30602-2152
Phone:
706-542-2686
Fax:
706-542-8356
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