Course descriptionWe offer M.S. degree in Fisheries. Coursework is tailored to the interest and needs of the students in consultation with the student's graduate committee. Successful applicants to our program usually have grade point averages above 3.5/4.0 (over the last 60 semester hours) and GRE scores at or above 550 in verbal and 600 in quantitative and analytical areas. Discipline-related experience is always a plus. Students with backgrounds in fisheries, wildlife, or natural resource management tend to be accepted at a higher rate than students with degrees in biology or environmental sciences. Although obviously there are many similarities between the fields, having a solid ecological background, an applied perspective, and background in policy and management is very helpful as you pursue an advanced degree in fisheries and wildlife.
If you do not have a B.S. in a resource management field, and you have the opportunity to take courses in natural resource management or fisheries and wildlife management, you would increase your chances of acceptance. You also might gain a better feel for whether you'd prefer enrolling in an ecology program or a fisheries and wildlife program. We accept students into the Ph.D. program only if they have completed an M.S. degree. We accept students only when a faculty member has a sponsored contract to support stipend, tuition, and research expenses.
Virginia Tech has a strong commitment to the principle of diversity and, in that spirit, seeks a broad spectrum of candidates including women, minorities, and people with disabilities. Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of race, sex, disability, age, veteran status, national origin, religion, political affiliation, or sexual orientation.