The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences is a broad and diverse department offering flexible degrees. The off-campus graduate program in NRES enables students to continue their education in disciplines related to natural resources and environmental sciences through part-time study at locations away from the University of Illinois Campus at Urbana/Champaign. Students can enroll in individual courses for professional and/or academic advancement, or apply for admission to the M.S. degree program in Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences.
NRES posts announcements and information that students need to know. Students are also welcome to post questions that might also be of interest to others. You can find the blog at http://go.illinois.edu/NRES_Online_MS_Blog.
Student Academic Resource Tool from the Office of Online and Continuing Education provides extensive logistical information.
Handbook for Online MS (Currently under revision, please refer to the NRES Graduate Student Handbook or contact nres-ssc@illinois.edu with questions.)
Graduate Research Proposal
The approved research proposal is due in NRES Student Services by the time you have completed 20 hours.
Faculty available as Research Directors and Committee Members
Before you begin working on your special project, you need your Research Director and committee (Dr. Ellsworth and one other faculty member) in place. Use this list to contact faculty members whose expertise is relevant to your project.
Funding Your Research (The Library workshops listed on this page currently only occur on campus, but the other resources are available online.)
Ready to complete your special project? (PDF) There are 15 steps to finishing your degree once you have a final draft of your special project.
Plan of Study (MS Word) Your plan of study must be submitted to NRES Student Services upon completion of NRES 594.
Appointing Your Committee (MS Word) You are required to appoint your committee by the time you've earned 16 credit hours toward your degree. This form must be submitted to NRES Student Services.)
Research Proposal Cover Page (MS Word) Your approved Research Proposal is due in NRES Student Services by the time you have completed 20 hours toward your degree.
Request for Action (PDF fillable form) This form is used most often by online students to request to change from the non-thesis to thesis option.
If you need the forms for your final examination, request them via e-mail from nres-ssc@illinois.edu, and Karen will send them, along with other information you need as you complete your degree.
