Many Rubenstein School graduate students do a general natural resources master's program outside the concentration model, although we encourage students to focus in one of the following concentrations for greater marketability of their degree: Aquatic Ecology and Watershed Science, Environment, Society and Public Affairs, Environmental Thought and Culture, Forest and Wildlife Sciences. Other options include: Dual degree (M.E.L.P./M.S. in Natural Resources) with Vermont Law School.

Undergraduate degree in an appropriate field in the sciences, social sciences, or humanities/fine arts, and three letters of recommendation attesting to the candidate's academic potential for graduate work and motivation for pursuing this degree. The master of science requires from fifteen to twenty-seven credits of course work in related fields (including NR 395: Applied Ecology, Environment and Society, and NR 306: Envisioning a Sustainable Future), a public research seminar presented at the annual graduate student symposium, a research proposal, a comprehensive examination, and three to six credits of project research, or six to fifteen credits of thesis research. A written comprehensive examination is required for all master's students. Successful completion of any required courses, and at least 15 graded graduate credits earned in compilation of the graduate GPA. A GPA of 3.00 or greater is also required.