Range Management - MS

The Master of Science in Range Management prepares you to pursue advanced study of rangelands and range management. We emphasize professional and academic preparation for a career managing rangelands and stewarding rangeland resources (grasslands, woodlands, and shrublands). We work with you to develop a program of study that fits your goals and background.  We encourage our students to get practical field experience in range management and research by participating in an internship, or working directly with a faculty member on research.  Your major professor and the Range Management Head Faculty Advisor  (HFA) will help you set this up.

Range Management is an interdepartmental group and includes faculty from more than one department. Many other faculty participate besides those on the Steering Committee. The Head Faculty Advisor (HFA) can guide you to participating faculty in the range program--email [email protected]. Doctoral work in range management may be pursued as part of the doctorate program in Environmental Science, Policy, and Management.

Here are some of things you can do with an M.S. in Range Management: 

• wildlife habitat management
• plant use and management
• grassland, savanna, wetland and/or shrubland ecology and management
• native plant management and restoration
• rangeland rehabilitation or restoration
• rangeland livestock production and management
• conservation policy
• carbon sequestration and soil science
• management for biodiversity
• water quality assessment and protection
• working landscapes programs
• rangeland economics and policy
• indigenous use and management of grasslands and woodlands.
• meet requirements applicable to becoming an Associate or Certified Range Manager (https://casrm.rangelands.org/HTML/certified.html)

Students graduating from the program work for public lands agencies, local and regional parks, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Resource Conservation Districts, University of California Cooperative Extension, the Department of Defense, conservation organizations such as the Nature Conservancy, international development programs, and environmental consulting firms.  Students work with their advisors to develop a program to meet career goals, including desired certifications and qualifications.  They should inquire before applying to find out if the program will meet their needs.