Doctoral Programs
Students work closely with their faculty advisor and mentor to develop a unique research program that will prepare them for a career in this field. Course work for varies depending upon the career goals of the student, past course history, and educational needs for the intended research project. Typically all students take 2 semesters of Statistics (STAT 511 and 512) and an advanced GIS class or as advised by their graduate committee.
This program offers an area of emphasis in applied economics for natural resource economics (NRE). It allows students to further specialize in (1) natural resource and/or environmental economics, (2) regional economics and/or development, or (3) spatial analysis. The NRE program provides students with a strong foundation in economic theory, economic and policy analysis, and quantitative methods. The primary objective of the PhD in NRE is to educate professionals capable of meeting the demands at the highest levels of their chosen occupations.
Recreation, Parks and Tourism Resources
This program focuses on human dimensions of recreation, tourism and natural resources. We include a diverse group of publics in our training, research, and technical assistance programs such as policy-makers, tourists, communities, resource managers, entrepreneurs, nonprofit organizations, and private landowners. We aim to understand how human and organizational values, perceptions, attitudes, and behavior shape and are shaped by recreation, tourism, and natural resource management systems.
Wildlife and Fisheries Resources
The Wildlife and Fisheries Resources Program at WVU is dedicated to developing the next generation of young fisheries and wildlife professionals. Students typically focus on either Wildlife or Fisheries for this advanced degree, and are required to complete necessary coursework to obtain professional certification as a biologist by The Wildlife Society or The American Fisheries Society by the time of graduation.
This program is designed to prepare students for the challenges of a wood products industry career. Graduate students enrolling in wood science will be expected to have taken WDSC 223, Wood Anatomy and Structure, WDSC 232, Primary Conversion and Grading, and WDSC 401, Field Trip or their equivalents. Graduate students are expected to make up deficiencies in undergraduate background as part of their program of study.