The forestry major is a professional degree program and is the only one in Kentucky accredited by the Society of American Foresters. We are looking for students who share our passion for forests, wildlife, and other natural resources, and who wish to learn how to manage them for future generations.
A forestry degree will prepare you to work with a diversity of landowners, agencies, wildlife, and a wide range of forest industries to help manage the benefits of and threats to forests throughout the region. As a forestry major, you will learn:
Career Outcomes
We want you to grow your future and pursue your passion. Our students come from all across Kentucky, as well as other states throughout the region, but one thing that unites them is a love for the outdoors. Whether they like to hunt and fish or simply hike in the woods, our students have found a place they can get a college degree that will lead to many different outdoor careers, and pursue their passion at the same time.
Our classes cover topics like forestry, wildlife, water, fire, forest economics, forest products, and GIS/GPS. We teach land-management techniques using the latest technologies and because many of our classes are actually conducted outdoors, our motto is “small classes, BIG classrooms”.
Here are a few examples of employers of forestry majors: U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, Kentucky Division of Forestry or other state forestry agencies, forest products companies, non-profit organizations, and forestry consulting firms. Many forestry graduates continue their education in graduate school. Job opportunities for forestry graduates include:
Forester
State and Federal Forester
Land Manager
Urban Forester
Consulting Forester
Wildland Firefighter
Utility Forester
Arborist
Forest Biologist
GIS Specialist
County Extension Agent
Environmental Scientist
Water Quality Specialist
Researcher
Naturalist
and many more.
International Opportunities
Should you choose, you can gain international experience while earning credit towards your degree. We offer a variety of study, research, intern, and service abroad programs for all budgets and comfort levels. Some students have even earned grants and scholarships to fully fund their international experiences.
These programs are designed to broaden your mind and introduce you to unfamiliar ways of thinking and living. Ultimately, these experiences will make you a more competitive applicant in the global workforce.
*Price shown is for indicative purposes, please check with institution
15 May 2024, 15 October 2024
Start date
26 August 2024, 13 January 2025
College of Agriculture, Food and Environment
S123 Ag. Science Center North,
LEXINGTON,
Kentucky,
40506, United States
*There may be different IELTS requirements depending on your chosen course.
University of Kentucky is ranked among the top 100 public research universities, offering multiple programs ranked in the top 25 in the U.S.