Forest Technology
The IAT Forest Technology certificate program at Bay College and Kirtland Community College offers online and in-person classwork blended with applied lab and field experiences. This program provides students with the competencies and technical skills necessary to sustainably manage forested systems in Michigan and beyond.
Students will connect with local forestry employers for paid summer internships and network with forestry leaders at professional meetings.
Forestry has a long history at Michigan State University and continues to prepare educated, experienced graduates who are in high demand by a variety of industry and agency employers.
Request information about the Forest Technology program
Areas of study include:
- Tree identification and forest inventory
- Forest ecology and silviculture
- Fundamentals of forest management planning
- Wildland firefighting
- Equipment use and worker safety
- Forest business and timber harvest operations
- Leadership and management
Career Opportunities
Following graduation, students earn a certificate preparing them for immediate employment in a wide range of careers with federal, state and county agencies or with private companies. If interested, students can also transfer into Michigan State University to earn a bachelor degree in forestry or another related degree.
Our Forest Technology Program has achieved candidacy for the Society of American Foresters (SAF) Certified Forestry Technician (CFT) credential.
Some career paths include:
- Forest technician
- Procurement forester
- Forestry consultant
- Wildland firefighter
- Forest products industry salesperson
- Geographic Information System (GIS) aid
- Land surveyor
The MSU Department of Forestry lists job opportunities that may be of interest to Forest Technology IAT students.
Academics
The Forest Technology certificate program is available at our partner locations at Bay College in Escanaba and Kirtland Community College in Grayling, MI. You can find a list of program requirements and courses in the MSU Academic Programs Catalog.
Program requirements:
- 63 credits (minimum of 33 MSU credits)
- 4 semesters of classroom instruction
- 1 semester internship (primarily during the summer May-August)
Online and in-person classwork is blended with applied lab and field experiences. Class sizes are small and students receive individualized instruction in addition to experiences at local facilities and field sites, including the MSU Upper Peninsula Forestry Innovation Center.
Internships
Bay College and Kirtland Community College IAT program coordinators help students find and secure organizations to mentor them as part of their required certificate program internship. This provides immediate on-the-job experience and helps build networking and industry connections.
Request information about the Forest Technology program
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