HDNR Graduate Degrees

The Department of Human Dimensions of Natural Resources (HDNR) offers a graduate program in Human Dimensions of Natural Resources that is designed to educate and develop professionals in social science aspects of natural resources. The program aims to develop professionals who will work and become leaders in the field both through research and practice. The Department offers two Master of Science degrees and one Doctor of Philosophy degree. The Master of Science degree generally takes two years to complete. The Doctor of Philosophy degree takes about three years to complete.

Please note that even though the University's Graduate School accepts Spring applications, only fall admissions to the Graduate Program in Human Dimensions of Natural Resources will be considered.

Faculty Accepting New Graduate Students

Prior to contacting faculty in the Department, it is important that you explore our website to learn more about the department. You should examine specific faculty, their research interests, and the extent to which they are accepting new graduate students for the upcoming year.

Read more: Faculty Accepting New Graduate Students

Graduate Admission Requirements & Procedures

You should also pay particular attention to the Human Dimensions of Natural Resources Graduate Student Handbook (pdf). This document outlines what is expected of students in terms of course work, thesis/dissertation, etc., as well as what the student can expect from the major professor.Please note that specific departmental requirements for admission to the Graduate Program in Human Dimensions are as follows:

• You must have an undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 (A = 4.0) or higher.
• You must have a combined score of at least 1,000 on the Quantitative and Verbal portions of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).

Read more: Graduate Admission Requirements & Procedures

Financial Aid & Job Placement

Although there are opportunities for graduate funding, we cannot always guarantee that such opportunities exist for every new student. We have a limited number of graduate teaching assistantships available each year. In addition, individual faculty may have graduate research assistantships available to students they accept.

We encourage you to explore CSU Student Financial Services for opportunities available through the university.

Conservation Leaders Masters Specialization

Now accepting applications for August 2010 start

Society is faced with some of the greatest challenges in history, from climate change to biodiversity loss to energy security and beyond. We need leaders who think differently, embrace complexity, and see the human and environmental condition as one intricate system. Conservation Leadership Through Learning (CLTL) is a 17-month Conservation Leadership Specialization within the Masters of Science Degree Program in the Human Dimensions of Natural Resources Department.

CLTL will prepare students to be a part of the next generation of conservation leaders who will tackle these dynamic challenges. In August 2010, the first group of students will begin an intensive educational journey in the United States and Mexico. CLTL merges transdisciplinary university education with real-world action to train leaders who can deliver on-the-ground benefits for conservation and communities. By reaching far beyond the classroom walls, students will develop the knowledge and real-world skills to become effective conservation leaders making a difference for the environment and people’s lives.

CLTL is a partnership between Colorado State University’s Warner College of Natural Resources and the School of Global Environmental Sustainability, and El Colegio de la Frontera Sur in Mexico. For more information, please visit our website (http://leadershipthroughlearning.org/) or contact us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Applications are being accepted through March 31, 2010 for the first cohort, which begins August 23, 2010.