Society of American Foresters Accreditation

Accredited by the Society of American Foresters

SAF accredited

The College of Forestry's undergraduate degree programs in Forestry (B.S.), Forest Engineering (B.S.) and Forest Engineering/Civil Engineering (B.S.) are accredited by the Society of American Foresters (SAF) — a mark of academic excellence that sets our graduates apart. SAF accreditation is a rigorous, peer-review process used by forestry and natural-resource programs across the U.S. and Canada to ensure that students are receiving the quality education the profession demands.

87%

1-year retention rate

75.9%

6-year graduation rate

84%

of students employed at graduation 

Learning outcomes

Students who earn a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Forestry, Forest Engineering or Forest Engineering/Civil Engineering through the College of Forestry graduate with the knowledge, skills and professional values needed to succeed in the field. Upon completion of their degree, students gain proficiency in the following areas through coursework, research and hands-on experiences — each reflecting a core aspect of forestry education and practice.

B.S. Forestry - Forest Restoration and Fire

B.S Forestry Learning Outcomes

The expected learning outcomes of the program include: emphasis on verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills, and development of critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Students will be expected to gain an awareness and understanding of differing viewpoints, and to demonstrate knowledge of international forestry, sustainable forest management, certification processes, and broad ecosystems services. 

Learning outcomes for the B.S. in Forestry program: 

  1. Demonstrate knowledge of forest ecology and silviculture principles to understand how forests and forested watersheds respond to natural disturbances or management activities.
  2. Develop skills in geospatial analysis, basic surveying, mapping, and GIS.
  3. Demonstrate ability to measure and inventory forest vegetation with precision and accuracy.
  4. Develop an understanding of forestry investment analysis and be able to evaluate typical financial investments in forestry.
  5. Demonstrate an understanding of the development and execution of strategic, tactical and operational forest plans that support achievement of desired future stand conditions and strategic goals.
  6. Demonstrate an understanding of the social and political context of forestry and be able to describe current policies, laws, and regulations governing the management of forest lands.

Forest Restoration and Fire Option Learning Outcomes

Specific learning outcomes for the Forest Restoration and Fire option are:

  1. Demonstrate ability to develop management responses to natural disturbance on forested landscapes such as wildland fire, insect infestation, windstorm, and disease and to use disturbance as an active management tool in an era of rapid change (e.g. climate change, land use change).
  2. Demonstrate knowledge of natural processes in forests, including vegetation growth, wildfire, windthrow, insects and disease, and the ability to use these models of these processes correctly to forecast impacts of disturbance on forests and outcomes of management activities.
  3. Demonstrate an understanding of the role of active adaptive management on forested landscapes when outcomes are uncertain.
  4. Demonstrate ability to account for risk and uncertainty in forest management decision processes.
  5. Demonstrate an understanding of the management of ecosystems in an era of rapid change including change in climate patterns, land use patterns, and political and social institutions.
  6. Demonstrate an understanding of the institutional and economic context in which policy for managing forest disturbance has evolved in the U.S. and elsewhere.
  7. Develop skills to facilitate negotiation among stakeholders for collaborative cooperation and management of natural disturbance on forested landscapes, particularly across institutions and property boundaries.
B.S. in Forestry - Forest Management

B.S. Forestry Learning Outcomes

The expected learning outcomes of the program include: emphasis on verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills, and development of critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Students will be expected to gain an awareness and understanding of differing viewpoints, and to demonstrate knowledge of international forestry, sustainable forest management, certification processes, and broad ecosystems services.

Learning outcomes for the B.S. in Forestry program:

  1. Demonstrate knowledge of forest ecology and silviculture principles to understand how forests and forested watersheds respond to natural disturbances or management activities.
  2. Develop skills in geospatial analysis, basic surveying, mapping, and GIS.
  3. Demonstrate ability to measure and inventory forest vegetation with precision and accuracy.
  4. Develop an understanding of forestry investment analysis and be able to evaluate typical financial investments in forestry.
  5. Demonstrate an understanding of the development and execution of strategic, tactical and operational forest plans that support achievement of desired future stand conditions and strategic goals.
  6. Demonstrate an understanding of the social and political context of forestry and be able to describe current policies, laws, and regulations governing the management of forest lands.

Forest Management Option Learning Outcomes

As a graduate of the Forestry – Forestry Management Option, you will:

  1. Demonstrate knowledge of forest vegetation modeling and the ability to forecast its development over time using models of forest growth.
  2. Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of communication in both planning and practice settings, and be able to communicate effectively with coworkers and stakeholders on forest resource issues and practices.
  3. Demonstrate understanding of interaction of vegetation, wildlife, insects, and disease on forested landscapes.
  4. Demonstrate ability to identify major forest ecosystems of the PNW and describe their changes over time, with and without human influence/management.
  5. Demonstrate knowledge of inter-temporal management and planning at the forest and landscape levels, and the ability to develop alternative management scenarios for forest lands for an array of objectives including forest products, environmental services, social amenities cultural and other resource values.
B.S. in Forestry - Forest Operations

B.S. Forestry Learning Outcomes

The expected learning outcomes of the program include: emphasis on verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills, and development of critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Students will be expected to gain an awareness and understanding of differing viewpoints, and to demonstrate knowledge of international forestry, sustainable forest management, certification processes, and broad ecosystems services.

Learning outcomes for the B.S. in Forestry program: 

  1. Demonstrate knowledge of forest ecology and silviculture principles to understand how forests and forested watersheds respond to natural disturbances or management activities.
  2. Develop skills in geospatial analysis, basic surveying, mapping, and GIS.
  3. Demonstrate ability to measure and inventory forest vegetation with precision and accuracy.
  4. Develop an understanding of forestry investment analysis and be able to evaluate typical financial investments in forestry.
  5. Demonstrate an understanding of the development and execution of strategic, tactical and operational forest plans that support achievement of desired future stand conditions and strategic goals.
  6. Demonstrate an understanding of the social and political context of forestry and be able to describe current policies, laws, and regulations governing the management of forest lands.

Forest Operations Management Option Learning Outcomes

In addition to the learning outcomes defined for the OSU Baccalaureate Core classes, the specific learning outcomes for the Bachelor of Science in Forestry - Forest Operations Management Option are: 

  1. Demonstrate the knowledge of the potential effects of forest operations on soils, wildlife and water resources by being able to show the tradeoffs of various harvesting systems on soils, wildlife and water resources.
  2. Demonstrate knowledge of business laws by being able to apply them to common business practices conducted in a contracting relationship.
  3. Demonstrate the ability to apply appropriate knowledge of surveying and mapping tools to implement forest operations by being able to survey and map roads, critical habitat and other common forest features.
  4. Demonstrate the ability to collect forest and financial data to analyze the profitability of various forest operations.
  5. Develop expertise with technology, equipment, and systems by selecting the systems to be used in conducting forest operations to plan and conduct activities that achieve silvicultural objectives.
  6. Demonstrate the ability to plan and administer safe working practices in a variety of forest operations.
B.S in Forest Engineering/Civil Engineering

Throughout your studies in Forest Engineering and Civil Engineering, you will be prepared to meet the challenges of professional practice by achievement of a series of program outcomes. These describe the attributes that a graduate must possess in order to be successful as a professional.

This dual degree has the same accreditation status as the Forest Engineering program with an option for students to take an additional year of Civil Engineering coursework.

The Program Educational Objectives for the undergraduate Forest Engineering degree program are:

  • Application of Engineering in Forestry: Practiced engineering applications within a forestry context.
  • Operational application of silviculture: Developed engineered forest operations that achieve silvicultural objectives.
  • Protect soil and water resources: Designed forest operations that appropriately protect the physical and biological aspects of soil and water resources.
  • Apply land and resource measurements: Incorporated surveying and measurement of land and forest resources so that the engineering tasks associated with Forest Land Management and, specifically, the design of appropriate Forest Operations, were effectively completed.
  • Design transportation infrastructure: Applied analysis and design principles for the physical and system aspects of the Forest Transportation infrastructure to design and manage safe forest transportation systems in a way that meets the needs of forest land management and minimizes adverse environmental impact.
  • Plan and manage economical and safe forest operations: Fulfilled analysis and design principles to plan and manage safe, economic, and environmentally sound forest operations.
  • Develop forest management plans using principles considering economics, valuation and environmental considerations: Implemented principles and techniques for forest land management and operational planning in an environmental and economic context to effectively develop successful forest operation plans.
  • Demonstrate leadership, communication and inclusiveness: Work, collaborate and communicate inclusively and effectively with constituents from diverse backgrounds and interests.

The Program Educational Objectives for the undergraduate Civil Engineering degree program are:

  • Assembled, analyzed and synthesized/evaluated information to solve engineering problems and perform modern civil engineering design by applying mathematics, engineering sciences and fundamentals of civil engineering.
  • Participated in modern professional practice or a graduate program in a specialty area of civil engineering, demonstrating effective communication, collaborative work and leadership in diverse teams, ethical decision-making, successful management of personal and professional career objectives, and continual development through lifelong learning and professional involvement.
  • Recognized the importance of professional licensure and have achieved or prepared to achieve this significant accomplishment. In this endeavor, consideration of the public health, welfare and safety is seen as the paramount priority.
  • Applied an understanding of public policy and contemporary societal issues with sensitivity to the challenge of meeting social, environmental, and economic constraints within a global community.

As a graduate of the Forest Engineering/Civil Engineering Program, you will have:

  1. An ability to identify, formulate, and solve broadly defined technical or scientific problems by applying knowledge of mathematics and science and/or technical topics to areas relevant to the discipline. (FE/CE)
  2. An ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors. (FE/CE)
  3. An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences. (FE/CE)
  4. An ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts. (FE/CE)
  5. An ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives. (FE/CE)
  6. An ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions. (FE/CE)
  7. An ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies. (FE/CE)
  8. Operational understanding of forest ecology and silviculture. (FE)
  9. Understanding of soil and water resources. (FE)
  10. Ability to make land and resource measurements. (FE)
  11. Ability to design the transportation infrastructure. (FE)
  12. Ability to plan and manage economic and safe forest operations. (FE)
  13. Understanding of economics and valuation. (FE)
B.S. in Forest Engineering

The Bachelor of Science and Honors Bachelor of Science degree programs in Forest Engineering are accredited by the Society of American Foresters (SAF) and the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, http://www.ABET.org.

Throughout your studies in Forest Engineering, you will be prepared to meet the challenges of professional practice in Forest Engineering by achievement of a series of program outcomes. These describe the attributes that a graduate must possess in order to be successful as a professional.

These program outcomes have been developed in part by the Engineering Commission of ABET, http://www.ABET.org, and in part by the Forest Engineering faculty in consultation with the Forest Engineering Advisory Committee (made up of working professionals from forest industry, forest engineering, consulting firms, and state and federal agencies charged with the management of forest land and resources).

The Program Educational Objectives for the undergraduate Forest Engineering degree program are:

  • Application of Engineering in Forestry: Practiced engineering applications within a forestry context.
  • Operational application of silviculture: Developed engineered forest operations that achieve silvicultural objectives.
  • Protect soil and water resources: Designed forest operations that appropriately protect the physical and biological aspects of soil and water resources.
  • Apply land and resource measurements: Incorporated surveying and measurement of land and forest resources so that the engineering tasks associated with Forest Land Management and, specifically, the design of appropriate Forest Operations, were effectively completed.
  • Design transportation infrastructure: Applied analysis and design principles for the physical and system aspects of the Forest Transportation infrastructure to design and manage safe forest transportation systems in a way that meets the needs of forest land management and minimizes adverse environmental impact.
  • Plan and manage economical and safe forest operations: Fulfilled analysis and design principles to plan and manage safe, economic, and environmentally sound forest operations.
  • Develop forest management plans using principles considering economics, valuation and environmental considerations: Implemented principles and techniques for forest land management and operational planning in an environmental and economic context to effectively develop successful forest operation plans.
  • Demonstrate leadership, communication and inclusiveness: Work, collaborate and communicate inclusively and effectively with constituents from diverse backgrounds and interests.

As a graduate of the Forest Engineering Program, you will have:

  1. An ability to identify, formulate, and solve broadly defined technical or scientific problems by applying knowledge of mathematics and science and/or technical topics to areas relevant to the discipline.
  2. An ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors.
  3. An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
  4. An ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts.
  5. An ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives.
  6. An ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions.
  7. An ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.
  8. Operational understanding of forest ecology and silviculture.
  9. Understanding of soil and water resources.
  10. Ability to make land and resource measurements.
  11. Ability to design the transportation infrastructure.
  12. Ability to plan and manage economic and safe forest operations.
  13. Understanding of economics and valuation.

SAF Code of Ethics

Preamble

Service to society is the cornerstone of any profession. The profession of forestry serves society by fostering stewardship of the world’s forests. Because forests provide valuable resources and perform critical ecological functions, they are vital to the well-being of both society and the biosphere.

Members of SAF have a deep and enduring love for the land, and are inspired by the profession’s historic traditions, such as Gifford Pinchot’s utilitarianism and Aldo Leopold’s ecological conscience. In their various roles as practitioners, teachers, researchers, advisers, and administrators, foresters seek to sustain and protect a variety of forest uses and attributes, such as aesthetic values, air and water quality, biodiversity, recreation, timber production, and wildlife habitat.

The purpose of this Code of Ethics is to protect and serve society by inspiring, guiding, and governing members in the conduct of their professional lives. Compliance with the code demonstrates members’ respect for the land and their commitment to the long-term management of ecosystems and ensures just and honorable professional and human relationships, mutual confidence and respect, and competent service to society.

On joining the SAF, members assume a special responsibility to the profession and to society by promising to uphold and abide by the following:

Principles and Pledges

  1. Foresters have a responsibility to manage land for both current and future generations. We pledge to practice and advocate management that will maintain the long-term capacity of the land to provide the variety of materials, uses, and values desired by landowners and society.
  2. Society must respect forest landowners’ rights and correspondingly, landowners have a land stewardship responsibility to society. We pledge to practice and advocate forest management in accordance with landowner objectives and professional standards, and to advise landowners of the consequences of deviating from such standards.
  3. Sound science is the foundation of the forestry profession. We pledge to strive for continuous improvement of our methods and our personal knowledge and skills; to perform only those services for which we are qualified; and in the biological, physical, and social sciences to use the most appropriate data, methods, and technology.
  4. Public policy related to forests must be based on both scientific principles and societal values. We pledge to use our knowledge and skills to help formulate sound forest policies and laws; to challenge and correct untrue statements about forestry; and to foster dialogue among foresters, other professionals, landowners, and the public regarding forest policies.
  5. Honest and open communication, coupled with respect for information given in confidence, is essential to good service. We pledge to always present, to the best of our ability, accurate and complete information; to indicate on whose behalf any public statements are made; to fully disclose and resolve any existing or potential conflicts of interest; and to keep proprietary information confidential unless the appropriate person authorizes its disclosure.
  6. Professional and civic behavior must be based on honesty, fairness, good will, and respect for the law. We pledge to conduct ourselves in a civil and dignified manner; to respect the needs, contributions, and viewpoints of others; and to give due credit to others for their methods, ideas, or assistance

Adopted by SAF by Member Referendum, November 3, 2000, replacing the code adopted June 23, 1976, as amended November 4, 1986, and November 2, 1992. The 1976 code replaced the code adopted November 12, 1948, as amended December 4, 1971.

For more information visit the SAF Code of Ethics Web Page.