The Forest Management undergraduate major focuses on producing field- and technology-competent foresters equipped with the knowledge and skills to sustainably manage forests for multiple objectives and outcomes. This program is designed as a companion degree, requiring transfer from or completion of a Forestry Tech A.A.S. prior to enrollment. The educational program in forestry leading to the baccalaureate degree in Forest Management is a candidate for accreditation by the Society of American Foresters (SAF), under the forestry standard.
Program Learning Goals
- Develop upper-level forestry skills (silviculture, mensuration and modeling, dendroecology, and writing comprehensive forest management plans) in applied settings.
- Integrate introductory skills (tree identification, forest measurements, land navigation, and GIS) into upper-level classes.
- Build experience as practicing foresters through hands-on coursework and capstone projects.
- Gain a minimum of three professional certifications (options include: Wildland Firefighting Red Card, Pesticide Applicators License, Chainsaw Safety/Training, Drone Pilots License).
- Understand and follow the Standards of Professional Practice as outlined by the Society of American Foresters.
Why Study At BSU?
2 + 2 Structure
Bemidji State University is home to the first and only companion education Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Forest Management in the US. No other programs exist that allow students with a 2-year A.A.S./A.S. degree in Forestry to transfer into a university that focuses exclusively on only the junior/senior year forestry curriculum. This arrangement was specifically designed to meet the critical workforce demands for B.S. trained foresters in northern Minnesota.
Partner Schools
Minnesota North—Itasca and Minnesota North—Vermilion are the inaugural two partner schools. Additional partnerships with 2-year institutions in New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Arkansas are being considered for future implementation.
Four-Semester Sequence
The four-semester sequence will conclude the curricular requirements for a B.S. in Forest Management following the successful completion of an SAF Accredited A.A.S. or A.S. in Forestry or Natural Resources.
Year One
| Junior Year Fall Semester Courses | Credits (17 cr. total) |
|---|---|
| BIOL 2339: Ethics of Fish and Wildlife Management | 3 |
| FOR 3310: Tribal and Community Forestry | 3 |
| FOR 3510: Forest Biometry | 4 |
| ECON 3040: Environmental Econ. or ECON 3500: Forestry and NR Econ. | 3 |
| GEOL 3120: Soils | 4 |
| Junior Year Spring Semester Courses | Credits (15 cr. total) |
|---|---|
| FOR 3220: Felling and Harvesting Systems | 1 |
| FOR 3240: Applied Forest Management on the Chippewa National Forest | 1 |
| FOR 4130: Dendroecology | 3 |
| FOR 4140: Forest Health | 4 |
| GEOG 4285 Drone Applications | 3 |
| MTC Goal Area and/or Elective | 3 |
Year Two
| Senior Year Fall Semester Courses | Credits (16 cr. total) |
|---|---|
| BIOL 3730: Plant Form and Function or BIOL 4634: Forest Ecology | 4 |
| ENVR 3700: Natural Resource Mgmt. | 3 |
| FOR 3150: Forest Issues and Policy | 3 |
| FOR 3210: Regional and International Silviculture or FOR 4220: Adaptive Silviculture | 3 |
| GEOG 3232: Intermediate GIS | 3 |
| Senior Year Spring Semester Courses | Credits (15 cr. total) |
|---|---|
| FOR 4110: Forest Mensuration | 3 |
| FOR 4230: Integrated Forest Management | 3 |
| GEOG 4130: Biogeography or GEOG 4140: Landscape Ecology | 3 |
| MTC Goal Area and/or Elective | 3 |
| MTC Goal Area and/or Elective | 3 |
Field Learning Locations
Camp Rabideau
Camp Rabideau on the Chippewa National Forest is an historic Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) camp initially established in the 1930s. This site began as a work camp primarily for young men during the Great Depression. It continued to serve as a Forestry Field Camp for the University of Illinois from the 1940s to the 1970s.
Through a joint agreement between the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service and Bemidji State University, Camp Rabideau is getting new life and will serve as the Field Camp for the new B.S. in Forest Management program at BSU—returning the site to its roots from over 90 years ago. Now 21st century foresters will develop the field skills and training on this historic property cementing an important relationship between BSU and the Forest Service.
Hobson Memorial School Forest
As the only state-designated “School Forest” attached to an institution of higher learning, the Hobson Forest provides another opportunity for field-based student learning. This 260 acre property sits just about 10 miles from campus. Forestry students practice their inventory work at Hobson. In addition, Hobson is considered a working forest under a management plan which allows for BSU students to participate in decision-making regarding forest operations.
Certifications and Trainings
Several different professional level certifications are embedded into the B.S. in Forest Management program at BSU. Specifically, the following are tied to different required classes:
- Chainsaw Safety and Training (by the USFS)
- Wildland Firefighting Red Card Certification (by the USFS)
- ATV and Off-Road Vehicle Safety Training (by the MN DNR)
- Pesticide Applicators License (by the MN Dept. of Agriculture)
- Drone Pilot’s License (from the FAA)
Student Chapter of the Society of American Foresters
For over 125 years the Society of American Foresters has been providing professional oversight of forestry and foresters. As one of the newest student chapters of SAF, Bemidji State University continues to embrace this tradition as students work through their two years of classes on their way to becoming professional foresters.
Society of American Foresters (SAF) Accreditation
As of January 1, 2026 BSU has been granted Candidacy Status under the Forestry Standard of the Society of American Foresters.
Career Outlook
Learn what conservation scientists and scientist do, where they work, and the job outlook for this growing field by visiting the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Faculty
BSU’s faculty is experienced and dedicated to preparing you for a career in forest management.
Full Course List
Explore the full course list, degree details and requirements in the undergraduate catalog.