Master of Natural Resources at Virginia Tech
Online Master of Natural Resources
The online Master of Natural Resources is a 10 course / 30 credit hour graduate degree program that prepares students to excel in environmental conservation, sustainability, and natural resources careers. Students are offered the opportunity to choose a focus area for elective coursework and may also pursue a specific area of interest via an independent study. Electives may also be selected from across focus areas. Plans of study are tailored based on each student’s interests and goals. Focus areas include Biodiversity and Ecosystems, Cities and Urban Systems, Climate Change, Environmental Policy, Sustainable Business, and Water and Marine Systems. This program offers flexible time-to-completion and the ability to transfer approved graduate coursework from other programs. Students may also earn up to two Graduate Certificates.
■ Asynchronous online course delivery offers maximum flexibility
■ Students may start the program in the Spring, Summer, or Fall
■ Career and plan of study advising
■ Low faculty to student ratio (maximum of 20 students per course section)
■ More than two dozen faculty offering deep expertise and experience
■ Age range of students: ~20 - 65+
■ Diverse undergraduate majors welcome
■ Customized and adaptive plans of study
Executive Master of Natural Resources
The Executive Master of Natural Resources (XMNR) is an accelerated (1 year / 30 credits) graduate degree program that combines the best of online and in-person education in an innovative hybrid and cohort-based curriculum focused on systems learning, leadership, and change. The XMNR is a transformative learning and leadership development experience that educates, inspires, and empowers professionals to address current and emerging challenges in sustainable development, environmental justice, climate resilience, and related topics.
■ Cohorts start in January and are limited to ~30 students
■ Admissions are processed on a rolling basis
■ Age range of students: ~20 - 65+
■ Hybrid format: Online + 5 weekends in Washington, D.C. area
■ Synchronous and asynchronous coursework for added flexibility
■ Low student-to-faculty ratio with extensive faculty interaction and relationship-building
■ Customized career guidance and internship opportunities
■ Peer-to-peer and experiential learning to maximize networking, and real-world application of concepts
Master of Natural Resources at a Glance
Both MNR formats are designed for current and aspiring environmental and sustainability professionals looking to move from practitioner to leader.
· 2 formats designed for working professionals and adult learners
· Curriculum and career coaching customized to your goals
· 10-day overseas Global Study
· Non-thesis professional graduate degree
· No GRE or environmental science background required
· Financial aid available
· No additional cost for out-of-state or international students
· Admission decisions are based on both academic and professional experience
Solving complex global natural resource, environmental conservation, and sustainability challenges requires leaders who collaborate to drive transformative systems change.
As employers continue to create sustainability positions throughout their organizations, demand for these leaders only grows. That’s why the Master of Natural Resources (MNR) combines environmental work with classes designed to equip you with the credentials, competencies, connections, and confidence to become an effective leader, now and in the future.