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Undergraduate Program

The Urban Forestry, Environment, and Natural Resources Department offers a Bachelor of Science, Master of Science, and Ph.D. degrees in Urban Forestry. In addition to the B.S. Degree in Urban Forestry, the B.S. Program also offers three concentrations: Environmental Studies, Geospatial Technologies, and Natural Resources Sustainability.  The curriculum is designed to prepare graduates who can evaluate, plan, and resolve problems of urban forest ecosystem and contribute to the environmental well-being of urban societies. The central theme of our instruction is that urban forests are essential to society, and their scientific management is necessary to ensure a sustainable flow of commodity and non-commodity benefits from urban forest ecosystems.

The B.S. in Urban Forestry Degree Program is a fully accredited degree program by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. In December 2020, the Department reached a significant milestone in the history of SU as it became the nation’s first Urban Forestry Bachelor Degree Program accredited by the Society of American Foresters (SAF). The SAF Accreditation is a form of quality assurance that declares to the professional community and to the world at large that SU’s Urban Forestry Bachelor Degree Program meets the quality standards set by the profession. 

Many career opportunities are available to urban forestry graduates for entry-level jobs with federal and state governmental agencies, municipalities, private industries, academia, non - profit organizations, utility companies, private and governmental agencies, research and teaching institutions, tree care and landscape companies, and consulting services. Graduates may also pursue graduate studies in urban forestry and related sciences. The program provides a solid background for pursuing M.S. and Ph.D. in Urban Forestry and other Natural Resources (refer to the SU Graduate Catalog). The Bachelor of Science degree in Urban Forestry provides a solid background for pursuing M.S. and Ph.D. in Urban Forestry (refer to the SU Graduate Catalog), environmental studies, and other Natural Resources. The Department has the most comprehensive urban forestry higher education program in the nation and a leader in building the diverse talented next generation of urban forestry and natural resources professionals in the country.

The Department offers strong integrated education, research and outreach components by providing services to the state, region and the nation. The Department was awarded as Department of Excellence through Faculty Excellence (DEFE) by the Louisiana Board of Regents since 2003 in 1997. The Department is awarded as the Most Productive Department in 2015 by Southern University System. The faculty members have strong academic profile with expertise in many critical areas of urban forestry and natural resources. Many assistantships and scholarship opportunities exist for the students.

The Department has strong partnerships with the local, state and national entities. It is a member of the National Association of University Forest Resource Programs (NAUFRP). The Department is in partnership with the federal agencies, including the USDA. A special mutual partnership exists with the USDA-NIFA and the US Forest Service. The Department is also in partnership and collaboration with many scientific and professional societies, including the Society of American Foresters (SAF), International Society of Arboriculture (ISA). In addition, the program offers strong international and global competency initiative in partnership with the federal agencies and international universities.

The graduates are contributing to the workforce by being employed as Urban Foresters (City, State, Federal, and Arboricultural Industries), Natural Resources Managers, Expert Consultants, Municipal Arborists, GIS and Mapping Specialists, National Park System (NPS) and US Forest Service Employees, Extension Agents, Natural Resource Conservation Agents, Foresters, Industrial Arboriculture Managers, Landscape and Ground Managers, Conservation and Environmental Managers, Green Building and Urban Greening specialists, Graduate Assistants, USDA Employees, Scientists, Environmental Experts, and Higher Education Faculty & Staff.