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 offers the following tracks: thesis, non-thesis and a 15 credit hour certificate.

Thesis
The M.S. program with thesis requires a minimum of 24 credit hours (8 courses) of graduate level course work and six credit hours (2 courses) of thesis research and writing for a total of 30 credit 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 credit hours (2 courses) of graduate level course work from another institution. Transferred work must be completed with a grade of B or better. Acceptance of these transfer credits are determined by the student's advisory committee, subject to approval by the Associate Dean of the Arthur Temple College of Forestry & Agriculture (ATCOFA). During the first semester of course work, 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 ATCOFA. 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 course work. The Advisory Committee assists the student in preparing a formal research proposal and serves as the examining committee. The student is responsible for contacting graduate faculty outside the ATCOFA to act as the Graduate School Representative during his thesis seminar and defense.

View Student Theses

Non-Thesis
Students are required to complete a minimum of 36 credit hours (12 courses) of graduate level courses. The non-thesis track requires the student to take 33 credit hours (11 courses) and 3 credit hours (1 course), of Problem Analysis. Problem Analysis is to be taken during the final 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. Students may transfer a maximum of 12 credit hours (4 courses) of graduate level course work from another institution. Transferred work must be completed with a grade of B or better. 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 an 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 broader 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 apply to the Graduate School as a post baccalaureate and complete 15 credit hours (5 courses) of graduate level courses in Resource Interpretation and achieve an overall minimum GPA of 3.0. Each student must work directly with an assigned MSRI advisor to select a series of courses that will fit the needs of each student. Upon successful completion of 15 credit hours (5 courses) in Resource Interpretation, students will automatically be awarded a certificate.

Students who wish to work toward completion of the entire MSRI program will need to reapply for admission. Application requirements are outlined on this web site. Additionally, all courses up to 15 credit hours in which the student makes a minimum grade of B or better will be eligible for transfer to the Resource Interpretation masters program. 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 attend online class and turn in assignments as they are due.

Enrollment
Full time enrollment on the graduate level without financial aid is 6 credit hours per semester (equivalent to two courses) during the spring or fall. And 3 credit hours for the summer. However, if you are a park employee it is up to your HR department as to what constitutes a full or half time student.

Students who sit out for the spring or fall semesters will have to reapply by filling out the Apply Texas application. No other application material is required. This policy does not apply to the summer session.

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, free streaming video and audio, discussion boards, and online library access. Students with access to the Internet may participate from anywhere in the world. SFA uses Blackboard and Elluminate 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 requirement.

Prepare Your Computer
To take an Online course, your computer should meet or exceed the minimum computer system requirements as listed below:

Take an online orientation
Free software downloads

For More information...
You are invited and encouraged to call or email Theresa Coble or Pat Stephens Williams, the faculty advisors for the MSRI Program, or Mary Ramos, our Admissions Specialist 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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