Department of Forestry Forest Carbon and Climate Program

Visit the online application portal to begin your application. The open add period for enrollment can be viewed on the RO Calendar.

Application checklist: 

• Domestic Applicants 
• International Applicants 

Certificate-only Students: If you would like to pursue the Certificate without earning a M.S. or Ph.D. through MSU, you still need to apply through the MSU Admissions office. Domestic students will need to provide official electronic transcripts, whereas international students will need to provide a hard copy of official transcripts by mail and TOEFL scores. GRE scores are not required for the certificate alone. 

MSU-Degree Students: Students who are currently enrolled or in the process of applying to a graduate degree program at MSU do not need to complete a separate application for the certificate. Instead, applicants must send an email to forestc@msu.edu indicating intentions to complete the Graduate Certificate and appropriate administrative changes will be made. If you are earning a traditional graduate degree in the Department of Forestry, all credits earned from Graduate Certificate courses can be double-counted toward that degree. If you are earning a Hybrid Online MS Degree in the Department of Forestry, 6 of the 9 required Graduate Certificate course credits are automatically earned through completion of that degree program. Hybrid M.S. forestry students who wish to also complete the Graduate Certificate in Forest Carbon Science, Policy, and Management must take the third required course (3 credits) as an elective.

Application Deadlines  

Fall Admission: July 28 

Spring Admission: December 1, Application deadline extended—apply by January 1st!

Domestic Applicants 

1. Visit the online application portal to begin your application. This will require:
   1. A personal statement explaining your motivation for pursuing the Graduate Certificate in Forest Carbon Science, Policy, and Management, as well as outlining how you intend to apply the knowledge gained from the program (1-2 pages)
   2. Three (3) contacts for letters of recommendation. Your contacts will receive a message from MSU to submit their recommendations. We must receive all 3 letters of recommendation before making an admissions decision.
2. Request an electronic copy of your official undergraduate transcripts be sent directly from your learning institution to Emily Esch at forestc@msu.edu. These must display the date and type of degree awarded. 
3. Submit your application
4. You will be directed to the Cash-net store to pay the $65 application fee
5. The MSU FCCP will be in touch regarding the status of your application. If accepted, you will receive formal notification from the MSU Office of Admission and additional details from the MSU FCCP regarding your acceptance, enrollment, and next steps.

International Applicants 

1. Visit the online application portal to begin your application. This will require:
   1. A personal statement explaining your motivation for pursuing the Graduate Certificate in Forest Carbon Science, Policy, and Management, as well as outlining how you intend to apply the knowledge gained from the program (1-2 pages)
   2. Three (3) contacts for letters of recommendation. Your contacts will receive a message from MSU to submit their recommendations. We must receive all 3 letters of recommendation before making an admissions decision.
2. One official copy of all records of any previous postsecondary schooling (mark sheets, transcripts, diplomas, certificates, etc.) must be submitted as official documents directly from each institution. Send these document to the Office of Admissions at:
   
   • Office of Admissions
     Hannah Administration Building
     426 Auditorium Road, Room 250
     East Lansing, MI 48824-2604
   • Transcripts must be in English (originally or translated by an official translation service). Contact forestc@msu.edu for additional details regarding accepted translations.
   • Transcripts must display the coursework taken, the award of a 4-year undergraduate degree (B.A. or B.S.), and the date of the degree award. Email forestc@msu.edu to confirm these details or to have an electronic copy reviewed before a hard copy is submitted.
3. Submit TOEFL scores (for information on other accepted test scores and a waiver option, visit the English Language Competency page for more information)  
4. Submit your application
5. You will be directed to the Cash-net store to pay the $75 application fee
6. The MSU FCCP will be in touch regarding the status of your application. If accepted, you will receive formal notification from the MSU Office of Admission and additional details from the MSU FCCP regarding your acceptance, enrollment, and next steps.
7. Once accepted, you will be prompted to upload a copy of your passport.