The Master of Tribal Resource and Environmental Stewardship (MTRES) is an applied graduate degree designed in consultation with regional tribes to create future leaders and stewards of tribal natural resources. There is no other graduate-level degree program like this in the country. This degree program takes an integrated approach to protection of natural resources through the lens of Indigenous environmental stewardship.
Admission Requirements
The MTRES program admits a new cohort of 15 students every fall.
- Preferred undergraduate GPA of 3.00
- A bachelor’s degree*
- Unofficial transcripts or academic records
- Two letters of recommendation
- A personal statement. The personal statement should give the committee a better picture of who you are and is an opportunity to share your personal qualities. You should describe what has prepared you and motivates you toward this degree as well as how you plan to apply the degree to your career. It can include a summary of your journey to graduate school, any obstacles you have encountered, and how you have overcome challenges. Be sure to proofread for grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors.
*Under exceptional circumstances, students may be admitted to MTAG/MTRES without a Bachelor’s degree from a regionally-accredited institution. Applicants will make the case for such special admission in their personal statement. In addition, the admissions committee will consider the applicant’s job history and/or professional experience, any certifications or diplomas earned, and letters of recommendation. Note that at a minimum, applicants must have at least 10 years of significant, relevant experience working with tribal governments or tribal communities. The admissions committee will review all materials and make a recommendation to the Department of American Indian Studies. If approved by both entities, the Department will then request a policy exception from the UMD Graduate School Office, who will make the final decision.
Apply online for the Fall 2024 Cohort! Application deadline: August 15. (Each cohort capacity is limited to 15 students).
Entirely online course delivery. MTRES Program Requirements
Scholarships
The University of Minnesota Duluth announces the establishment of the Wells Fargo Tribal Resource and Environmental Stewardship Scholarship which will award five incoming students in the MTRES program $5,000 each ($2,500 per year). This scholarship is for Fall 2024 incoming MTRES students. You must be admitted to MTRES before applying for this scholarship. Eligible applicants must be one of the following: an enrolled member of a federally recognized tribe; eligible for enrollment in a federally recognized tribe; recognized as a descendant of a federally recognized tribe; identified as American Indian by the Indian Education Act; or identified as Canadian Indian by the Indian Act RSC 1985, CI-5.
The scholarship application deadline is May 1, 2024. Respondents need to be signed in to a Google Account to complete the application. If all of your documents are not submitted by May 1, 2024, at 11:59 pm, your application will not be eligible for review. Awardees will be selected and notified on or before June 1, 2024.
Additional scholarship opportunities are available.
Master in Tribal Resource and Environmental Stewardship Program Learning Outcomes:
Through this program, students will develop the capacity to successfully...
- Make innovative contributions to tribal leadership addressing the pressing concerns of Native nations and peoples
- Demonstrate fundamental skills and applicable knowledge within community-specific contexts for tribal natural resource program management and stewardship
- Analyze and explain the legal, cultural, and political contours of tribal sovereignty and tribal natural resource stewardship
- Apply knowledge and methodological, research and communication skills regarding the biological, chemical and physical processes vital to effective natural resource stewardship
Career Opportunities
With a degree in Tribal Resource and Environmental Stewardship, you could work as a:
- Natural Resource Program Manager
- Agricultural Tribal Liaison
- Director of Natural Resources
- Tribal Environmental Project Manager
- Conservation Ecologist