The Master of Forests (also offered as Master of Forestry or Master of Forest Science and Management at various Australian institutions) is a postgraduate coursework degree that provides advanced, interdisciplinary knowledge of forested landscapes and their science, management, economics, and social dimensions. Forests are the most biodiverse terrestrial ecosystems on Earth, covering close to a third of the world's surface and providing ecosystem services critical to both human society and environmental sustainability. This degree equips graduates to work across the full breadth of the forests sector — from conservation of native forests and woodlands, to plantation management, agroforestry, urban forestry, carbon sequestration, and climate change mitigation and adaptation. Students engage with the physical and biological sciences relevant to forests while also exploring the political, economic, and social implications of managing forest ecosystems in the Australian and international context. Course content typically spans forest ecology, silviculture, fire management, natural resource economics, wood science, remote sensing and GIS, forest policy, and First Nations partnerships in land management. The program is available as a standard coursework degree or, at some institutions, as an advanced research degree incorporating a substantial supervised research thesis. Full-time study typically takes one to two years, with part-time and intensive block-teaching options also available. Employers of graduates span federal and state government agencies such as the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and state forestry corporations, private plantation companies, environmental consultancies, conservation NGOs, research institutions, carbon and natural capital investment firms, and international development organisations. Traditional Owners now manage a third of Australia's forests, and graduates may work in partnership roles supporting Indigenous land management across the country.

To be admitted to a Master of Forests or related postgraduate program in Australia, applicants typically need to hold a Bachelor degree or international equivalent in a cognate discipline, with a minimum GPA of around 5.0 out of 7.0 (credit average). Cognate disciplines commonly recognised include ecology, environmental science, environmental studies, environmental policy, forestry, natural resource management, natural resource economics, and resource management. Applicants must demonstrate that at least a portion of their undergraduate study — typically around eight subjects — was undertaken in a relevant field. Applicants holding a Bachelor degree or Graduate Certificate in a cognate area may be eligible for up to one semester of advanced standing, while those with a Graduate Diploma or Honours degree in a relevant discipline may be eligible for up to one year of credit. Admission is competitive, and meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee a place. The Advanced research variants of these programs typically require a higher GPA (around 5.5/7.0 or above), and students must also secure approval from a supervisor for their proposed research project. For international applicants, English language proficiency must be demonstrated through standardised tests such as IELTS, TOEFL, or PTE Academic. A minimum IELTS overall score of 6.5 (with no band below 6.0) is the typical benchmark, though requirements vary by institution. Some programs may also consider relevant professional work experience in forestry, land management, or environmental science in their holistic assessment of applicants. Applicants without a directly cognate undergraduate background may be able to enter through pathway programs such as a Graduate Certificate in Environmental Studies or similar.