Students enrolled in a non-thesis degree program must complete a comprehensive exam (see Graduate catalog). The comprehensive exam for the non-thesis, Master of Science in Conservation Education degree program is based upon knowledge and skills obtained during the six major required courses for the degree program; education and leadership courses (WFA 8713, WFA 8723, WFA 8733) and science foundation courses (WFA 6623, WFA 8743, WFA 8753).
Because you must be enrolled in at least a 1-credit hour course the semester you take your final comprehensive exam, we recommend you schedule and take your final exam while enrolled in the capstone course, WFA 8763.
Elective courses can vary in offerings and are subject to change from this posting. Enrollment in a preferred elective class may not be possible during the time a student will be completing their degree program. A student should work with their program advisor to select electives that are available and meet student objectives.
Course Number |
Course Title (semester/year*) |
Hours |
---|
WFA 6223 |
Wildlife Plant Identification |
3 |
WFA 6513 |
Current Topics in Human-Wildlife Interactions |
3 |
WFA 6393 |
Urban Wildlife Ecology |
3 |
WFA 8343 |
Concepts in Ecology and Natural Resource Management |
3 |
WFA 8463 |
Human Dimensions of Wildlife and Fisheries Conservation |
3 |
BIO 8043 |
Ecology and Environment |
3 |
BIO 8053 |
Comprehensive Study of Animals (College of Arts & Sciences: Department of Biological Sciences) |
3 |
BIO 8063 |
Comprehensive Study of Plants |
3 |
FO 6123 |
Forest Ecology |
3 |
GG 6523 |
Coastal Environments |
3 |
GG 8203 |
Ocean Science |
3 |
GG 8233 |
Environmental Geoscience |
3 |
GR 6303 |
Principles of GIS |
3 |
GR 8633 |
Climate Change |
3 |
Capstone Course and Comprehensive Exam
The capstone project course (WFA 8763) is designed for students to apply their knowledge and skills gained from their successful completion of the major required courses in the M.S. in Conservation Education degree program. Students will seek out an organization that is involved with conservation education to develop a short-term partnership. During the partnership, students will evaluate the organization’s conservation education program, identify a need, and develop and deliver a tailored conservation education project to the conservation organization.
To aid in successful completion of the capstone project, the student and the conservation organization are supplied with Wildlife, Fisheries and Aquaculture faculty-developed rubrics. These rubrics are designed to provide guidance for the implementation of the project. Additionally, the rubrics uphold academic rigor and standardize evaluation across capstone projects.
Additionally, during the capstone project course, students will schedule and complete their final comprehensive exam.
The examination must be scheduled by the student and taken at an approved location that provides proctoring. The examination date must be scheduled at least two weeks' time prior to the deadline posted on the Graduate Academic Calendar for the semester in which the student plans to graduate.
As noted in the Graduate Catalog, students must be in their final semester of coursework to participate in the comprehensive exam. Please note: students who fail the initial attempt CANNOT apply to retake the exam until three months from the date of the original exam (see Graduate Catalog). Also, any student on probationary status cannot take comprehensive exams until the probationary status has been lifted. Hence, some students may need an additional semester to take the comprehensive exam.
A Proctor Request Form, provided in the Capstone Course Canvas Class, MUST be submitted for approval two weeks prior to the examination date.
Email the completed form to the Conservation Education Graduate Coordinator, Dr. Leslie Burger, for pre-approval. If you have any questions about the process or requirements, please email Dr. Burger at leslie.burger@msstate.edu.