Degree Offered
- Master of Science
Nature of the Program
The Wildlife and Fisheries Resources Program at WVU is dedicated to developing the next generation of young fisheries and wildlife professionals. This program offers two levels of advanced degree with a master of science in wildlife and fisheries resources and a Ph.D. in natural resources science available. At the M.S. or Ph.D. level, students work closely with their faculty advisor and mentor to develop a unique research program that will prepare them for a career in this field. Students typically focus on either wildlife or fisheries for these advanced degrees. Coursework for these degrees varies depending upon the career goals of the student, past course history, and educational needs for the intended research project. Typically all students take two semesters of statistics (STAT 511 and 512) and an advanced GIS class. Students interested in graduate study in our program can apply online through the graduate admissions office but are encouraged to contact faculty members who may share their research interests. Students are not admitted into the program if they have not secured a faculty advisor.
Admissions for 2025-2026
A regular graduate student is a degree-seeking student who meets all the criteria for regular admission to a program of their choice and be under no requirements to make up deficiencies.
For regular admission, a student must:
- Possess a baccalaureate degree from a college or university and have at least a grade point average of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale (or an average of 3.0 or higher for the last sixty credit hours).
- Provide three letters of reference from persons acquainted with the applicant’s professional work, experience, or academic background.
- Submit a written statement of 500 words or more indicating the applicant’s goals and objectives relative to receiving a graduate degree, and identify a potential faculty advisor.
- Have an adequate academic aptitude at the graduate level as measured by the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or the New Medical College Admissions Test (New MCAT).
* International students must meet WVU's minimum score requirement for English language proficiency.
Students seeking admission for the M.S. in Wildlife and Fisheries Resources should have completed an undergraduate curriculum emphasizing wildlife and/or fisheries sciences. A student whose undergraduate degree is in a field other than this discipline will ordinarily be required to take supplemental undergraduate courses as part of their degree work.
Students selecting this graduate program may emphasize either wildlife or fisheries resources in their studies.
Major Code: 1727
Program Requirements
All M.S. degree candidates are required to follow a planned program of study. The student develops the plan of study during their first year in the program in conjunction with the graduate committee. The plan must be approved by the Director of the Division and the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs of the Davis College.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 is required in all courses applied toward degree requirements. | ||
| WMAN 693 | Special Topics (Seminar) | 1 |
| Wildlife Seminar | 1 | |
| Wildlife Seminar | ||
| FNRS 697 | Research | 6 |
| Additional Coursework | 22 | |
500, 600, or 700 level in BIOL, ENVP, ENTO, FNRS, GEN, GEOG, GEOL, RESM, STAT, WMAN | ||
| Thesis Proposal | ||
| Proposal Defense | ||
| Thesis | ||
| Thesis Defense | ||
| Plan of Study | ||
| Total Hours | 30 | |
- *
Students must complete a minimum of 30 total hours, of which at least 24 hours must be coursework other than research, thesis, project, internship, etc. credits.
Major Learning Outcomes
Wildlife and Fisheries Resources
Upon the successful completion of a Wildlife and Fisheries Resources degree students will be able to:
- Demonstrate mastery of historic and contemporary wildlife or fisheries topics.
- Critique and assess peer-reviewed literature and apply research findings to the conservation and management of wildlife and fisheries resources.
- Conduct and defend original research focused on wildlife or fisheries that includes project design, collecting, analyzing and interpreting data, publishing results in scientific journals, and presenting results to scientific audiences.