Natural Resources and Environment offers two doctoral degrees: the PhD in Landscape Architecture and the PhD in Natural Resources and Environment. Within the NRE degree, there are two primary tracks, Resource Ecology Management (REM), with an ecology and hard science focus, and Resource Policy and Behavior (RPB), with a social science focus. Our PhD programs are highly customized to the individual student, creating academic tracks that are rigorous and truly interdisciplinary.

The goal of the doctoral programs is to develop the creative abilities of exceptional students -- training them for independent work that contributes to original research and scholarship at the forefront of their chosen fields.

A PhD candidate will be deeply involved in research efforts, defining and understanding critical natural and environmental resource problems, and developing new knowledge and management strategies to address these problems. These students are expected to become leaders in research, in training other professionals, and in developing the scientific knowledge base for formulating policies and management practices that contribute to the sustainable use of natural resources.

Course of Study

The doctoral programs are tailored to the goals of each student; no two students in the program are likely to take an identical set of courses. At the same time, however, the programs are guided by a framework to assure that each student's academic efforts will lead to demonstrated research creativity and competence.

Since students in the programs come from diverse academic and professional backgrounds, it is important that this framework be interpreted to take advantage both of the individual's past accomplishments and the resources available at the University.

Admission to the doctoral program includes the assignment of an advisor and one or more faculty
members who agree to serve on the student’s Interim Guidance Committee (IGC). During the first year of study, the student will prepare a detailed Course of Study, working in cooperation with the faculty advisor, IGC members, and other relevant faculty. The Course of Study is the plan that focuses a student's academic program, and is used to guide the student's efforts. The Course of Study is not intended to be an unalterable contract, and it is understood that it may be modified. 

The Ph.D. is granted by the Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studies (generally referred to as
Rackham). Degree requirements for all doctoral programs can be found in the Rackham Graduate
School Academic Policies. Rackham stipulates that from the time of initial enrollment, Candidacy should be
achieved within 3 years, and the Ph.D. should be completed within 7 years.  Our Doctoral handbook provides a timeline and additional details of our expectations and requirements.

For more information on the doctoral programs, contact snre.admissions@umich.edu.