Ecology

Part of: MS in Ecology, Clark Family School of Environment & Sustainability, School of Graduate Studies

Offered as: Master's

Degree: Master of Science in Ecology

Part of: MS in Ecology, Clark Family School of Environment & Sustainability, School of Graduate Studies

Offered as: Master's

Degree: Master of Science in Ecology

Western Colorado University’s MS in Ecology program prepares scientists to conduct rigorous, applied research while working collaboratively with communities, policymakers, and conservation practitioners. With a strong emphasis on inclusivity and social relevance, the program trains students to produce science that informs ecosystem management, advances conservation, and supports socially just outcomes across diverse ecological contexts.

Western Colorado University’s Master of Science in Ecology (MSE) program offers a dynamic, immersive education that blends rigorous coursework with practical, real-world experience. Our curriculum builds a strong foundation in ecological theory, research methods, and scientific communication, while offering you the flexibility to tailor your path based on your professional goals.

You’ll engage in hands-on projects that tackle real-world ecological challenges and work closely with faculty, wildlife agencies, ranchers, and researchers to apply your knowledge in meaningful ways. Through this collaborative, field-based experience, you’ll gain the skills, connections, and insights needed to drive positive impact in conservation, ecosystem management, and ecological science. Whether you choose a thesis-based track or the applied non-thesis option, you’ll graduate with a strong professional portfolio, valuable field experience, and the tools to lead in today’s evolving environmental landscape.

As scientists, we critically think about the natural world so that we can begin to understand the complexity of nature. The pursuit of this understanding should not be inhibited by one’s race, disability, sex, gender, sexual orientation, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, religion or belief, ethnicity, education, economic status, employment, nationality, background, and physical or mental ability.

The scientific discipline of Ecology should be accessible to all those who want to learn. For far too long, structural and societal inequalities have plagued our academic institutions and research programs, driving systemic barriers to inclusion within the ecological community. Not all those who desire to pursue ecology can do so because of these barriers. As scientists, we must be committed to removing systemic barriers to inclusion that prevent the full participation of historically under-represented people in our profession and society. Systemic racism and other prejudices weaken us as individuals and limit us as a community of scientists; therefore, we pledge to confront it with anti-discriminatory policies and progressive actions. We will do this through implementing DEIIJ actions in our program that are informed by the best available science on how to do this effectively, as well as a deep desire to treat each other with respect, equity and love.

Choose Your Pathway to an MSE

In the MS in Ecology program, students can choose one of three concentrations to tailor their studies to specific career goals. These concentrations allow for specialized coursework and research, providing a deeper understanding of areas such as conservation, fisheries, and ecological sciences. Each concentration is designed to provide students with focused expertise and practical experience, helping them build a strong foundation for their professional and academic careers.

A volunteer collects willow reeds along the streambank of the Slate River on Verzuh Ranch.

Applied Ecological Science

The Applied Ecological Science concentration is a 33-credit, non-thesis track within the MS in Ecology program, ideal for careers in natural resource management, education, or policy. Students complete a capstone project focused on real-world ecological problem-solving, supported by fieldwork on Colorado’s Western Slope.

Applied Ecological Science Concentration

WCU Program: Fisheries and Aquatic Ecology

Fisheries and Wildlife Management

The Fisheries and Wildlife Management concentration is a 33-credit thesis-based track that prepares students for careers in conservation and species management through a blend of ecological theory and hands-on research. With access to Colorado’s diverse ecosystems, students develop graduate-level expertise while applying science to real-world management challenges.

Fisheries and Wildlife Management Concentration

WCU Program: Environmental Biology Ecology

Ecology and Conservation

The Ecology and Conservation concentration is a 33-credit, thesis-based track that blends rigorous ecological research with real-world impact through fieldwork in Colorado’s ecosystems. It equips students with scientific and interdisciplinary skills to tackle pressing environmental challenges in restoration, sustainability, and conservation.

Ecology and Conservation Concentration

Admissions, Cost, and Requirements

Prerequisites

BA or BS degree in biology or related field with college courses in Statistics and upper-level Ecology with a minimum grade of B, completed prior to the student’s first fall in the program.

Application Materials

Admissions packages will include:

Academic transcripts
A resume outlining related research, leadership, and volunteer experience
A statement of purpose describing the student’s intellectual and professional interests in ecology
Three letters of recommendation from professors or supervisors in related fields
Applicants are expected to have been in contact with a faculty advisor prior to submission of application

Application review will begin February 1, with initial acceptance and offers soon thereafter. Later applications may be considered on a rolling basis, depending on faculty availability. If you have any questions about the application process, please contact us.

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Program Information

Period	Credits	Tuition per Credit	Fees per Credit Hour*	Flat Fees**	Total Tuition & Fees
Year 1: Fall	9	$847	$73.40	$50	$8,333.60
Year 1: Spring	9	$847	$73.40		$8,283.60
Year 1: Summer	3	$847	$73.40		$2,761.20
Year 2: Fall	6	$847	$73.40		$5,522.40
Year 2: Spring	6	$847	$73.40		$5,522.40
Total	33				$30,423.20

*Mandatory graduate student fees per credit hour
Graduate Studies Administrative Operations Fee: $63.00
Library Fee: $6.50
IT Services Fee: $3.90

**Mandatory graduate student flat fees
New Student Matriculation Fee: $50.00

Biology Course Flat Fees	Fee
BIOL 620: Ornithology	$70.00
BIOL 622: Mammalogy	$20.00
BIOL 625: Invertebrate Zoology	$50.00
BIOL 627: Field Entomology	$50.00
BIOL 630: Wildlife Ecology	$110.00
BIOL 631: Wildlife Techniques Workshop	$100.00
BIOL 652: Botany	$25.00
BIOL 653: Rocky Mountain Flora	$55.00
BIOL 668: Ichthyology	$45.00
BIOL 670: Fisheries Management	$40.00
BIOL 676: Aquatic Ecology	$50.00
BIOL 681: Forest Ecology	$50.00
BIOL 697: Geomorphology	$75.00
BIOL 697: Environmental Geochemistry	$50.00

A master’s degree is an advanced qualification earned after completing a bachelor’s degree. It focuses on a specific area of study and provides specialized knowledge and skills. This differs from a concentration, which is a more focused area within the master’s program. Your concentration determines the specialized courses you take, shaping your expertise in a particular field. To complete a master’s degree, students must fulfill core coursework, elective requirements, and often a final project, thesis, or practicum.

Program Requirements Degree Plan

Environmental Monitoring
Ecological Data Science
Research Design
Field-based Expertise
Stakeholder Collaboration
Environmental Ethics

Natural Resource Manager
Wildlife and Fisheries Biologist
Conservation Scientist
Wildfire Researcher
Restoration Ecologist
Environmental Consultant

Fellowships, Scholarships, and Financial Aid

MS in Ecology Fellowships, Grants, and Scholarships

Explore a variety of fellowships, grants, and scholarships available to support your MS in Ecology at Western Colorado University. Opportunities include teaching assistantships, digital internships, social media fellowships, and statistics peer tutor positions.

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Graduate Financial Aid

Graduate students at Western receive financial support from various sources, including personal savings, loans, scholarships, fellowships, and graduate assistantships. Learn more ways to offset these costs through financial aid opportunities.

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We are so excited about your interest in applying to the MS in Ecology! Please take a moment to review the application requirements and deadlines and then access the application.

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We can produce high-quality research and publish papers in scientific journals with our students. We’re out on the cutting edge of our field learning the things we don’t know yet.

Jonathan Coop, PhD.

Faculty, 2010 Ecology

msecology@western.edu

1 Western Way
Gunnison, CO 81230

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Common Questions

Common Searches

Applied Ecological Science

Fisheries and Wildlife Management

Ecology and Conservation

Top Skills

Career Pathways

MS in Ecology Fellowships, Grants, and Scholarships

Graduate Financial Aid

Jonathan Coop, PhD.

Verzuh Ranch: Where Conservation Meets Education

Western Graduate Students, Faculty Member Receive Distinguished Achievement Award

Western’s Clark School wins grant to help add value to internships

Rebecca Anderson

Jared Balik, PhD

Ian Breckheimer, PhD

Jonathan Coop, PhD

Jennie DeMarco

Lindsay Dolezal

Derek D. Houston, PhD

Madelon Van de Kerk, PhD

Patrick Magee, BA, PhD

Micah Russell, MS, PhD

Susan Washko, PhD

Program Director

Graduate Program Facilitator

Dean of Clark Family School