Natural Resources Management: Master of Science in Forestry (thesis-based)

The MSc-F (thesis-based masters program) is a research-oriented degree. Most often students undertake research in one or more of the natural/biophysical fields of forest sciences, however social science research projects (and methodologies), as well as research at the intersection of the natural and social sciences, are also common and are supported by the program. Research projects are designed jointly by the student and a faculty member who serves as the student's faculty supervisor.

Applicants should first contact and gain the mutual support of a potential supervisor before applying to the thesis-based program.

Students normally complete all requirements within six terms (2 years) of continuous registration.

Admission Requirements for Masters

Applicants for admission must be graduates of a recognized university, college, or institute as well as show evidence of scholarly achievement. Except where otherwise stated in the Admission Requirements of a particular program, degree students must have a four year bachelor's degree or its equivalent with at least second class standing (B) based on their last 20 half courses or equivalent.

An applicant holding a degree other than one in the discipline area to which admission is sought will be considered on the basis of courses taken and academic standing. A Qualifying Year at the undergraduate level may be required to meet the admission standards. Courses taken as part of a Qualifying Year can not be used as credit towards a graduate degree.

Meeting the minimum requirements does not necessarily guarantee admission. No candidate will be admitted unless the academic unit recommends admission. All applicants will be advised by the Office of Graduate Studies in writing of their admission status.

Program Specific:

  • Mutual agreement of a faculty supervisor and appropriate funding
  • To ensure an adequate understanding of the core elements of forestry, applicants holding a four-year degree of adequate standing (i.e., B or better) in an allied discipline (e.g., Biology, Geography, Agriculture, Environmental Studies, Resource Management, Outdoor Recreation) may be required to take up to two full-course equivalents at the undergraduate level. This requirement is additional to the graduate courses of the chosen program. Upon admission, the student's supervisor prepares a proposal for fulfilling the allied-discipline requirement, based on the student's undergraduate courses already taken, and submits it to the Forestry Graduate Studies Committee for approval
  • An applicant with inadequate academic background or standing may be invited to take four full-course equivalents (minimum) in forestry at the undergraduate level. If performance in these courses averages B or better, the applicant may then apply for admission to one of the graduate program

Graduate Funding

At Lakehead University, we realize the importance of financial support for graduate students.

Therefore, financial assistance opportunities are available in several forms and are generally awarded to students by individual programs on the basis of academic promise and financial need.

The different funding options available include:

For your convenience, a searchable database of graduate scholarships, bursaries, and awards is provided below. Award eligibility, criteria, and application procedures for graduate funding is indicated for each award. Please use the general search tool to find available funding by program. Alternatively, you may also click the advanced search link to specify available funding by program level, award category and/or award amount.

Although financial support cannot be guaranteed to all graduate students in all programs, we encourage you to inquire about financial assistance with your Graduate Coordinator in your program of study. You may also contact the Graduate Funding Officer in the Faculty of Graduate Studies to learn more about your graduate funding options.

Conditions of Graduate Awards

Graduate scholarships are based on academic merit. Graduate bursaries are based on financial need, although there may be a merit component to the bursary. Where the award designates that an application is required, only those students who have submitted the specified application by the deadline will be considered for those awards. Late and/or incomplete applications will not be considered. Only successful applicants will be notified.

Recipients of scholarships, awards and bursaries must be registered in order to receive funding. Graduate awards are applied to any outstanding balance on the student's account. Students are entitled to their awards only after their fees are paid in full. Only students with credit account balances will be refunded the balance of the overpayment. Overpayment refunds of these awards will be issued at the end of September, January and May each year.

The University reserves the right to make changes without prior notice to the terms, conditions and award values listed in this section and in the University Calendar.

The most up-to-date internal awards and applications are on our new award system MyAwards

Graduate Studies Funding Database

Required Application Documents

Applicants for admission must be graduates of an accredited university, college, or institute as well as show evidence of scholarly achievement. Except where otherwise stated in the admission requirements of a particular program, domestic degree students must have a four year bachelor's degree or its equivalent with at least (B) based on their last 20 half courses or equivalent. We recommend that International applicants have an overall standing of Second Class - Upper Division or higher.

Meeting the minimum application requirements does not guarantee admission. The Faculty of Graduate Studies will advise all applicants in writing of admission decisions once they are received from the program. Applicants are encouraged to regularly monitor their Lakehead University email and application portal for the most current information.

The first step in the application process is to complete the online graduate studies application form.

After you have submitted the online form along with the required $125 CAD application fee, you will be provided with an online account where you can complete the remaining steps of the application process which include uploading the required supporting documents and monitoring the status of your application.

Click here to Apply to Graduate Studies

After you have applied 

After you have submitted the online application form, you can access your account here. Any change in your application status will be reflected in this portal.

Graduate Studies Reference Form
  • An electronic reference form will be automatically sent by email to the references you identify on the graduate studies application form
  • This form is requested in support of the applicant's ability to undertake advanced study and research
Official Transcript
Proof of Degree
Program Specific Supporting Documents (If required)
  • For a list of program specific documents, please see this program's Additional Application Information section (if required, see above)
Official English Test Results (If required)

Program Specific Documents

A cover letter and optional CV/resume: In a brief cover letter, applicants should describe why they are interested in pursuing graduate work, and how they expect graduate studies at Lakehead University to help their future aspirations. The faculty member(s) with whom an applicant has been in communication with and would like to study must also be identified. Applications typically are rejected if there is not a supportive faculty supervisor. Past experience and training complementing their chosen field should be highlighted.

Applicants should also list:

(1) any awards, scholarships, or bursaries they have received and
(2) any publications or presentations/posters they have shared at conferences. This can also be accomplished by attaching a CV or resume to the cover letter.

Next Steps

Registration Procedures

Before Registering!

Check to make sure all of your course selections are currently being offered by referring to the University Course Calendar and the University Course Time Tables.

University Graduate Studies & General Regulations & Policies