Q+A

This Q+A offers answers frequently asked questions about the Forest Carbon and Climate Program. To view questions related to a specific activity, click the appropriate category below:”

Graduate Certificate

General Questions

1. Where do most graduates of the Graduate Certificate program start their career after earning this certificate?

We highlight some of our graduates on our website, where you can see the career paths previous students have taken.

Course Credits

1. Which courses can I take for credit?

We offer three courses that may be taken for credit: Human Dimensions of Forest Carbon Management (FOR 833), Forest Carbon Policy, Economics, and Finance (FOR 835), and Measurement and Monitoring of Forest Carbon (FOR 837). Each of these courses is worth three credits. To earn the Graduate Certificate, students must complete all three courses. Visit our Graduate Certificate course page for more information.

2. What is the difference between non-credit courses and credit courses?

Our Graduate Certificate courses, when taken for credit, are each worth three academic credits. These credits, when completed, will appear on your official transcript. Graduate Certificate courses may also be taken as non-credit courses, if a student is not seeking academic credit. Learn more about this option here. While our non-credit Graduate Certificate courses do not qualify for academic credit, some of our learning opportunities, such as the Professional Courses and Forests + Climate Learning Exchange Series webinars, qualify for Continuing Education Credits

How to Apply

1. When do you accept applicants?

These courses run in accordance with the MSU academic calendar. However, you can begin applying at any time. View the MSU academic calendar.

2. Where can I apply for the Graduate Certificate program?

To apply to our Graduate Certificate program, please follow the instructions on the Graduate Certificate page.

3. Do you need only undergraduate transcripts or master’s degree transcripts as well?

When applying, you are only required to submit an official transcript for your undergraduate degree.

Cost + Funding

1. What are the program fees for international students?

For a table of current tuition rates, please visit the MSU Non-Resident International Tuition, Fee and Tax Rates page. For non-residential international students, as of Spring 2023, the cost per credit hour is roughly $1,080. This means that each 3-credit course in the program would cost an estimated total of $3240. Because the program consists of three, 3-credit courses, the total tuition fees for completing the Graduate Certificate would amount to about $9720.

2. Are there financial aid opportunities available for the Graduate Certificate program?

There are two financial aid opportunities available: The Weyerhaeuser Fellowship and The Department of Forestry Scholarship. These financial aid opportunities for the Graduate Certificate program can be found on our website.

3. Am I eligible for the 20% discount on tuition for a Graduate Certificate program course?

The 20% discount is available to eligible participants registered for any non-credit courses, which includes our Professional Development courses as well as non-credit Graduate Certificate courses. To see if you are eligible for this discount visit our website. Those participating in Graduate Certificate courses for credit are not eligible for this discount. Financial aid opportunities for the Graduate Certificate are applied for separately. Information on the two financial aid opportunities for the Graduate Certificate program can be found on our website.

4. What is the cost difference of taking credit vs. non-credit Graduate Certificate courses?

The cost of taking these courses for credit is based on MSU tuition rates. The cost for taking these courses as non-credit courses can be found on the Forestry Department CE page. There are scholarships and financial aid available for those taking these courses for credit, those taking these courses as non-credit may be eligible for a 20% discount. Learn more on the Graduate Certificate page.

Professional Courses

Discount Eligibility

1. Am I eligible for the 20% discount?

2. How do I provide proof that I am eligible for the discount?

To see if you are eligible for this discount and how to provide proof visit our website.

3. Are there any other discounts available for non-credit courses if I am not eligible for this discount?

Unfortunately, there are no other discount opportunities for our non-credit courses.

Continuing Education Credits

1. What are the different types of Continuing Education Credits?

Continuing Education Credits include Society of American Foresters (SAF), International Society of Arboriculture (ISA), and Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) credits. Our Professional Courses, as well as our Forests + Climate Learning Exchange Series webinars, qualify for various Continuing Education Credits.

2. How many and which Continuing Education Credits are available for your Professional Courses?

To see the Continuing Education Credits that are available for the current course period of Understanding Forest Carbon Management, visit the course page (Continuing Education Credits can be found on the sidebar).

To see the Continuing Education Credits that are available for the current course period of Forest Certification and Climate Change, visit the course page (Continuing Education Credits can be found on the sidebar).

To see the Continuing Education Credits that are available for the current course period of FCCP Intensive: US Regions, visit the course page (Continuing Education Credits can be found on the sidebar).

3. What Continuing Education Credits are available for the Forests + Climate Learning Exchange Series?

The Continuing Education Credits for each webinar vary. Information on the amount and type of Continuing Education Credits available for each webinar can be found at the end of the slides for each webinar along with information on how to receive these credits.

4. How do I receive my Continuing Education Credits?

Upon completion of one of our non-credit education opportunities, email forestc@msu.edu to learn how to receive your Continuing Education Credits.

Understanding Forest Carbon Management (UFCM)

1. What is the current course period for Understanding Forest Carbon Management?

Understanding Forest Carbon Management is offered three times throughout the year. These course periods are: January 9 (available for 3 months), May 9 (available for 3 months), and September 9 (available for 3 months).

2. Where can I register for Understanding Forest Carbon Management?

To register for our short course, Understanding Forest Carbon Management, please click the button that says “Register” on the course page.

Forest Certification and Climate Change (FCCC)

1. What is the current course period for Forest Certification and Climate Change?

Forest Certification and Climate Change is offered three times throughout the year. These course periods are: January 9 (available for 3 months), May 9 (available for 3 months), and September 9 (available for 3 months).

2. Where can I register for Forest Certification and Climate Change?

To register for our intensive course, Forest Certification and Climate Change, please click the button that says “Register” on the course page.

US Regions: Forest Carbon & Climate Adaptation

1. What is the current course period for US Regions: Forest Carbon & Climate Adaptation?

US Regions: Forest Carbon & Climate Adaptation (formally known as FCCP Intensive: US Regions) is offered three times throughout the year. These course periods are: January 9 (available for 3 months), May 9 (available for 3 months), and September 9 (available for 3 months).

2. Where can I register for US Regions: Forest Carbon & Climate Adaptation?

To register for one of our US Regions: Forest Carbon & Climate Adaptation (formally known as FCCP Intensive: US Regions) intensive courses, please click the button that says “Register” on the course page.

Urban Forests and Climate Change

What is the current course period for Urban Forests and Climate Change?

Urban Forests and Climate Change is offered three times throughout the year. These course periods are: January 9 (available for 3 months), May 9 (available for 3 months), and September 9 (available for 3 months).

Where can I register for Urban Forests and Climate Change?

To register for our intensive course, Urban Forests and Climate Change, please click the button that says “Register” on the course page.

Open Resource Library (ORL)

1. Can I use images from the Open Resource Library (ORL) in a presentation?

The graphics available in the ORL are free for use by interested parties to support additional educational efforts and a greater variety of audiences. These may be downloaded directly from our site and are intended for use with attribution and for educational purposes only (no re-use for commercial purposes).