2013-2014 Graduate Catalog Downloadable PDF (10.71MB)

Degree Information/The Degree of Master of Natural Resources Development 141Application for DegreeGraduate degrees are conferred at the close of each regular semester and 10-weeksummer semester. A candidate for an advanced degree who expects to complete his/herwork at the end of a given semester must apply for graduation by submitting the electronicapplication for degree to the Office of the Registrar and by paying the requiredgraduation fee to the Fiscal Department no later than the Friday of the second week ofthe fall or spring semester or the Friday of the first week of the first summer term. Theelectronic application for degree can be accessed via the student’s Howdy portal.Cancellations made after the application deadline will not receive a refundof the diploma fee. Students who have completed all their degree requirementswill not be allowed to cancel their graduation. The Registrar attempts each semesterto balance the size of each ceremony. Thus, the makeup of the ceremony by collegesdoes change from semester to semester. Graduation times are posted each semesteron the website of the Office of the Registrar. A student should check the website atgraduation.tamu.edu to determine the date and time of the graduation ceremony.The Degree of Master of Natural Resources DevelopmentThe Master of Natural Resources Development (MNRD) degree is designed fora student who wants professional graduate training with a management orientation innatural resources. It is intended to emphasize the problem solving skills involved in theuse of science and technology to benefit humanity, not as a research degree.Individuals with a baccalaureate degree from a college or university of recognizedstanding, or qualified Texas A&M University seniors during their last semester, mayapply for admission to graduate studies to pursue the non-thesis degree of Master ofNatural Resources Development. The candidate’s advisory committee shall specify prerequisitework where necessary.The student must demonstrate problem solving capabilities. Degree candidates maygain such capabilities by completing a professional internship that is designed to providemeaningful, applied, practical experiences, and which may vary in duration from threeto nine months depending upon departmental requirements.The degree may be earned in the Departments of Ecosystem Science and Management,Recreation, Park and Tourism Sciences, and Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences in theCollege of Agriculture and Life Sciences. It is possible for working professionals to earnthis degree via distance education.Residence (See Residence Requirements, page 34.)A student must complete 12 credit hours in resident study at Texas A&M Universityto satisfy the residence requirement for the Master of Natural Resources Developmentdegree.Students who are employed full-time while completing their degree may fulfill totalresidence requirements by completion of less-than-full time course loads each semester.In order to be considered for this, the student is required to submit a Petition for Waiversand Exceptions along with verification of his/her employment to the Office of Graduateand Professional Studies.