The Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture at Stephen F. Austin State University (SFA) and the National Park Service (NPS) are pleased to announce a Masters of Science in Resource Interpretation. Beginning fall 2003, the program represents the only graduate degree program of its kind in the country. The Masters of Science in Resource Interpretation (MSRI) is an SFA-NPS partnership to:

• Provide NPS interpreters with the opportunity to earn their masters degree via distance education.
• Enable interpreters to apply the philosophy and techniques, the curriculum and training, and the certification review process of the NPS Interpretive Development Program (IDP) to their graduate studies in interpretation. (IDP program information is available online: www.nps.gov/idp/interp)
• Provide in-depth instruction in IDP competencies such as interpretive talks, conducted activities, illustrated programs, interpretive writing, curriculum-based programs, interpretive planning & leadership, and interpretive media.
• Introduce interpreters to a wide range of interpretation theory, research, methods and best practices.
• Facilitate in-depth study in the interpreter's area of subject matter expertise.

The M.S. degree in Resource Interpretation is now offering the following options: thesis, non-thesis and a 15 credit hour certificate. For the thesis and non-thesis option the student must indicate on their application form which option they wish to pursue. The actual selection of option, however, will occur when the student’s degree plan is submitted. Changes in option following the submission of a degree plan will require an official petition to change the degree plan.

Thesis
The M.S. program with thesis requires a minimum of 24 semester hours (8 courses) of graduate course work and six semester hours (2 courses) of thesis research and writing for a total of 30 semester hours (10 courses). To complete the program, students will develop a thesis proposal, conduct thesis research, and write a masters thesis. Students may transfer a maximum of 6 semester hours (2 courses) of graduate-level credit from another institution. Acceptance of these transfer credits is determined by the student's advisory committee, subject to approval by the Associate Dean of the ATCOFA. During the first semester of coursework, students will begin to formulate an advisory committee. This committee will consist of no fewer than three members of the SFA Graduate Faculty; two of whom must be in the College of Forestry. The Advisory Committee, chaired by the major professor, will then assist the student in developing a degree plan. The degree plan should be filed with the Associate Dean during the first or second semester of coursework. The Advisory Committee assists the student in preparing a formal research proposal and serves as the examining committee.

click to view student theses

Non-Thesis
Students are required to complete a minimum of 36 semester hours (12 courses) of graduate level courses beyond the Bachelor's degree including 15 core credits (5 courses) which includes 3 credits (1 course) from a capstone course. The capstone course is to be taken during the last semester and requires the student to develop and complete a scope of work and then prepare a presentation/paper/poster suitable for presentation at a professional conference. An additional 21 hours (7 courses) are required as specified by the student's advisory committee and subject to the approval by the Associate Dean of ATCOFA. Of those 21 hours (7 courses), at least 12 (4 courses) must be selected from MSRI courses and the 9 additional hours (3 courses) may be selected from MSRI courses or other fields of study. Students may transfer a maximum of 6 hours (2 courses) of graduate-level credit from another institution. Acceptance of these transfer credits is determined by the student's advisory committee, subject to approval by the Associate Dean of the ATCOFA. Students will be required to take an oral comprehensive exam during the final semester of enrollment. This exam must be given no later than the Friday before the start of final exams and must be conducted on the SFA campus in a face-to-face format. The student, in conjunction with their MSRI advisor, will select 3-4 members of the SFASU Graduate Faculty (including approved adjunct faculty) to serve as the student's advisory committee. One member of the student's advisory committee must be a College of Forestry & Agriculture (ATCOFA) faculty member who is not teaching an MSRI core course. The non-thesis option is appropriate for students in career paths that are best supported by additional academic course work rather than directed research on a single topic and for students who do not intend to pursue a higher degree (Ph.D.). This degree is especially useful to those seeking broad training in the field of resource interpretation, or who wish to combine course work in interpretation with an additional subject area.

Certification
A certificate of Resource Interpretation is available to students who complete 15 hours (5 courses) of graduate-level courses in Resource Interpretation and achieve an overall minimum GPA of 3.0 for the 15 credit hours. All of the courses eligible for the certificate program are taught as online, distance education courses (a few are also taught face-to-face to students in residence on campus). Each student must work directly with an assigned MSRI advisor to select a series of courses that will fit the needs of each student. Students seeking the certificate have two options in terms of enrollment in the program:

A. Students who meet the admission requirements for the Master of Science in Resource Interpretation (MSRI) and wish to work toward completion of the entire MSRI curriculum should apply for admission to Graduate Program by following the admission procedures outlined in the Graduate Bulletin. Upon successful completion of 15 graduate credit hours (5 courses), these students will automatically be awarded the Certificate of Resource Interpretation.

B. Students who do not wish to work toward completion of the MSRI degree program should apply to the Graduate Office for post-baccalureate status only. Additionally, all courses in which the student makes a minimum grade of B will be eligible for transfer to an ATCOFA degree program, in the event the student later decides to pursue a graduate degree. This does not mean that we will accept more than six credit hours from another university.

Coursework
Courses are completed online, therefore basic computer skills and access to a computer connected to the Internet are required. Courses are not self-paced; rather, students turn in assignments on specified due dates. Once enrolled students will attend class through online chat sessions scheduled during the week. Half time enrollment at the graduate level is 6 credit hours per semester (equivalent to two courses). Full time enrollment is 12 credit hours per semester (equivalent to four courses).

NPS Certification Review
For each IDP competency-based course, NPS employees will be eligible to demonstrate certification standards by submitting a product for certification review through the Stephen T. Mather Training Center. If possible, NPS interpreters are encouraged to submit products for certification review prior to enrollment in SFA courses--that will save you some work during the semester.

Distance Education
Many students seek opportunities to reach their educational goals without giving up professional and family responsibilities. Advances in distance education technology are helping the University to reach students where they are at and provide them with the tools they need to conveniently interact with professors, classmates, and educational resources. Instruction is delivered via the Internet and includes such features as email, chat rooms, streaming audio and video, discussion boards, and online library access. Students with access to the Internet may participate at any time of day from anywhere in the world. SFA uses WebCT to develop and deliver web-courses. To be successful in your graduate studies and to enjoy your masters degree experience, you will need to meet the minimum computer requirements.

For More information...
You are invited and encouraged to call Theresa Coble, Pat Stephens Williams or Mike Legg, the faculty advisors for the MSRI Program, or Mary Ramos, our administrative assistant, at 936-468-1365 with any questions you may have or just to introduce yourself as a prospective graduate student. We would enjoy the opportunity to get to know you and to discuss your graduate program goals and interests.

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