Our top-ranked bachelor’s degree in Forestry focuses on sustainable management of natural resources while working outdoors, in nature, with interesting people from all walks of life.
Discover forestry management, park and recreational land management, ecology, wildlife management, environmental education, restoration, watershed management, and urban forestry. Our top-notch program is one of 47 nationally accredited Bachelor of Science programs by the Society of American Foresters.
Learn about forest ecosystems and why they are crucial to the biosphere and gain expertise in managing public or private forests – all the while employing natural resource sciences for the protection, management, and sustainable use of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.
Experience exciting scientific, hands-on learning and research opportunities from our award-winning faculty. Enjoy your outdoor classrooms in our outstanding location: a national forest, several fish and wildlife refuges, state parks, lakes, streams, rivers, and wetlands, in addition to our own forested areas and private lands.
The Department of Forestry offers the following game-changing specializations: Forest Hydrology; Forest Resources Management; Forest Recreation and Park Management; Urban Forest Management; Wildlife Habitat Management and Conservation.
Custom Forestry Program: In addition to these specializations, the Forestry major also offers students the flexibility to customize a specific course of study in order to meet individual employment and educational goals. Working closely with a faculty advisor, students craft a unique program of study in Forestry that takes them on a transformative and ultimately rewarding educational journey.
Our courses provide quality educational opportunities and world-class experiences that prepare you for fulfilling careers in nature.
CURRICULUM AND COURSES
The Forestry program requires the standard 120 credit hours for a baccalaureate degree, including meeting University Core Curriculum and the College of Agricultural Sciences’ requirements, which may be met though an approved Associate’s degree from an accredited community college.
WHY OUR FORESTRY PROGRAM?
Our program is accredited by the Society of American Foresters, and is nationally ranked. Our graduates have gone on to rewarding careers in a wide variety of forestry-related positions throughout the country.
The Forestry Department is well placed in Southern Illinois, surrounded by thousands of acres of different forest types and agricultural land, providing students with excellent facilities both on and off campus.
September 2025
College of Agricultural Sciences
Southern Illinois University,
CARBONDALE,
Illinois,
62901, United States
Students need to have Transcripts from high school and/or college. At SIU Carbondale, applicants for admission will be eligible for automatic admission if they are on track to complete our course pattern requirements and who meet one of the following criteria: A cumulative high school GPA of 2.75; A ranking in the top 10% of their graduating class.
English Language Requirement: Any one of the following methods will automatically meet the minimum English requirement. Applicants who do not meet the automatic English language admission requirement will undergo a holistic review to determine potential admissibility.
TOEFL (IBT internet-based test) - 68
TOEFL (paper based test) - 520
ITEP - 4.0 (academic plus only)
IELTS - 6.0
2 Face-to-face English composition classes taken in the U.S. at the college level with a grade of A or B
More than 48 college-level credit hours completed at a U.S. institution
If an applicant is from a country whose primary language is English
Graduation from a U.S. high school having spent the final 2 years in the U.S.
Meeting the SAT or ACT requirements for admission of domestic freshmen
Duolingo English Test (accepted during COVID-19 closures)- 95
*There may be different IELTS requirements depending on your chosen course.
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