2025-2026 Catalog
Forest Resource Management, Baccalaureate
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BAS-FRM
The Bachelor of Applied Science Forest Resources Management (BAS-FRM) degree prepares students to engage professionally as foresters in public and private companies, conservation managers, wildland fire supervisors, and other natural resource professions. Core forestry classes at the bachelors level are taught on a two-year track. Core courses are taught during fall, winter, and spring quarters. Students can enter the BAS-FRM program at any time, provided they meet the prerequisite requirements. An Associate’s degree in Natural Resources, Forestry, or a closely related field is required before students can enter the BAS-FRM program. In-class instruction occurs on campus, with an emphasis on hands-on learning facilitated by frequent field exercises and field trips.
Degree Requirements
Completion of a Natural Resources related associate’s degree, or an AAS in an equivalent field. Degree must be completed with a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher.
Prerequisite Requirements
Applicants must have a grade of 2.0 or higher in the following course prior to program start.
Additional Degree Required Courses (50 credits):
Degree required courses are not a pre-requisite to the program; they are state requirements for earning your bachelor’s degree. Courses must be completed with a grade of at least 2.0
- Writing Skills (5 credits)
- Humanities (10 credits)
- Quantitative Skill (5 credits)
- Natural Science w/lab (5 credits)
- Natural Science (5 credits)
- Social Science (5 credits)
- 15 credits of General Education Coursework in Communications, Quantitative Skills, Humanities, Social Science, or Natural Science
Recommended Skills
Computer proficiency in Internet, word processing, spreadsheets, and presentation software. Ability to study and work outdoors under all weather conditions and uneven terrain.
Program of Study
The BAS-FRM is a unique degree path for community and technical colleges in Washington State. Grays Harbor College’s BAS-FRM program focuses on forest operations, silviculture, and forest resource management. Students are exposed to the unique challenges of modern land management at varying levels; from private industrial forestry, state and federal agency careers, and small forest landowner consulting. This program places an emphasis on applying learned skills in the field as much as possible, and exposes students to the broad set of skills and tools required in professional forestry. Students learn how to assess new forest landscapes and develop written forest management plans to meet targeted forest objectives. Scenario based activities are mixed with practical applications that accomplish real management objectives in the nearby program managed forest.
Learning Outcomes
Successful graduates of the BAS-FRM will be able to:
- Develop field skills and knowledge of practices that apply to federal and state policies, and regulations, regarding natural resource management.
- Learn methods to communicate with project stakeholders, both with technical and non-technical backgrounds, verbally and in written format.
- Evaluate potential conflicts and economic impacts of land use actions; including timber harvests, forest road construction, and public use.
- Engage in professional development to develop career skills.
- Learn and apply emerging and contemporary technology and tools, including both software and hardware.
- Develop land management plans, such as restoration, timber harvest, or forest health plans, through individual and team work.
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- Demonstrate knowledge of when to utilize specialists such as, engineers, biologists, geologists, etc.
- Learn advanced methods and develop field and office skills in forest mensuration, road design and layout, GIS, harvest unit design, forest health assessment, and silvicultural practices.
- Evaluate forest ecosystem health holistically, including: plant health, soil health, stream and riparian system health, fungal and entomological health, wildlife habitat, aesthetic & intrinsic value, Indigenous uses, and biodiversity.
- Explore differences and similarities in forest practices, laws and policies, and plant species, around the world.
- Develop knowledge of forest fire ecology and history, and learn methods of forest fire management, suppression tactics, and prescribed burning.
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