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Graduate Certificate in Natural Resources

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Graduate Certificate in Natural Resource Management (GCNR)

The Graduate Certificate in Natural Resource Management (GCNR) is a good option for professionals seeking credentials in environmental and natural resource management, graduate students in another discipline looking to formalize their knowledge and training in an environmental field, and potential MNR degree students interested in exploring the coursework and earning graduate credits before making a decision.

All courses are offered asynchronous online to accommodate busy schedules. Our catalog of courses allows you to focus on your interests: biodiversity to climate change, green infrastructure to urban ecology, and more.

Certificate Format

Students pursuing this certificate must complete:

  • 12 credit hours, consisting of the required core (NR-5724 Conservation Ecology) and 3 elective courses

  • 9 of the required 12 credits with courses offered in the MNR program, including Conservation Ecology (NR 5724)

  • Up to 3 credit hours may be earned in approved graduate courses outside of the MNR program, including (but not limited to) courses offered as part of the Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA), Master of Urban and Regional Planning (MURP), and the Online Master of Arts in Political Science programs at Virginia Tech

  • Students must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or above for those 12 credit hours

Admissions Requirements

Students can apply for the GCNR as a Virginia Tech degree-seeking or Commonwealth Campus student, or as a visiting student. If you are not currently a VT student, you must apply for graduate admission as a certificate-seeking student through the Virginia Tech Graduate School.

Requirements for admission include:

  • Completed undergraduate degree
  • Current resume/ CV
  • Personal goal statement
  • Completed application
  • No GRE required; TOEFL may be required for international students

Certificate Tuition

Tuition for the Graduate Certificate in Natural Resources is $11,400. It does not include per semester library and technology fees, or books.