The forest management, ecology concentration, trains professionals who will work as researchers, resource managers, and practitioners in varied agencies and non-governmental firms or organizations. Not focused on commodity production, this program provides more depth in scientific examination of forest communities. Subjects upon which forest management depends include botany, chemistry, ecology, economics, entomology, forest measurements, hydrology, mapping, mathematics, plant physiology, soil science, and statistics.
Both concentrations in the forest management program include a nine-week summer practicum between the second and third years of coursework. The purpose of the practicum is to study forest measurement and management skills in the field during concentrated hands-on experiences. Seven weeks of this residential practicum occurs at George Watts Hill Forest north of Durham, North Carolina.
The Society of American Foresters accredits the North Carolina State forest management program.