Imagine earning a master’s degree while living and working in one of the most scenic and educationally rich outdoor classrooms in the United States. The Graduate Fellow position at the University of Idaho’s McCall Outdoor Science School (MOSS) on the McCall Field Campus offers exactly that. This residential program allows you to complete a Master of Natural Resources (MNR) in environmental education and science communication in just 10.5 months while gaining substantial professional experience teaching youth in settings that range from local public schools and Ponderosa State Park to the heart of the largest wilderness area in the lower 48 states.
This unique graduate fellowship stands out among environmental education graduate programs because it tightly integrates academic coursework with hands-on practice. Fellows live, learn, and teach in West Central Idaho, building skills in collaborative leadership, place-based education, ecology, and interdisciplinary problem solving. The program welcomes applicants from all academic backgrounds who demonstrate sincerity, hard work, creativity, a desire to learn, and a willingness to facilitate youth programs. No prior experience in outdoor education is required, and the GRE is not needed.
Scholarship Summary
- Host Country: United States (Idaho)
- Host University: University of Idaho – McCall Outdoor Science School (McCall Field Campus)
- Scholarship Type: Graduate Fellowships / Master of Natural Resources (MNR) Scholarships (MSC Scholarships)
- Eligible Countries: United States citizens, permanent residents, and applicants who do not require F-1 visa status (program is not open to international students needing F-1 status)
- Scholarship Benefits: Automatic one-time $1,000 Environmental Education and Science Communication (EESC) fellowship; subsidized on-campus housing options (yurt or cabin); intensive professional teaching and leadership experience at the nationally recognized McCall Outdoor Science School; completion of a 32-credit non-thesis master’s degree in 10.5 months; access to federal financial aid, merit-based consideration, and external scholarship opportunities; wilderness first aid certification covered by the university; once-in-a-lifetime field experience in the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness
- Application Deadline: January 4, 2027 (applications accepted on a rolling basis for positions starting after August 16, 2027)
Why This Program Stands Out Among Environmental Education Graduate Programs
Traditional master’s degrees often keep students in classrooms for two years with limited real-world application. This Graduate Fellow opportunity compresses high-quality learning into 10.5 months through a carefully designed 32-credit non-thesis structure. Class weeks feature day-long sessions, field trips, and guest speakers led by University of Idaho faculty. Practicum weeks place you as a field instructor at the award-winning McCall Outdoor Science School, leading K-12 students on explorations that connect them to science, place, and community.
A highlight is the three-day visit to the University of Idaho’s Taylor Wilderness Research Station in the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness. Here, fellows experience backcountry ecology firsthand while reflecting on their learning amid wildlife such as mountain lions, wolves, bears, elk, and mountain goats. This blend of theory and practice prepares graduates for roles as educators, science communicators, nonprofit leaders, and natural resources professionals.
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Program Focus Areas and Skills You Will Develop
Fellows concentrate on six interconnected disciplines:
- Environmental education
- Collaborative leadership
- Place-based education
- Science communication
- Ecology of West Central Idaho
- Interdisciplinary problem solving
These areas equip you to design curriculum, facilitate outdoor learning, communicate complex scientific ideas to diverse audiences, and address socio-ecological challenges. The program’s small faculty-to-student ratio supports personalized mentoring, while community living on the McCall Field Campus fosters collaboration and professional networking. Alumni go on to careers in formal and informal education, museums, nature centers, government agencies, nonprofits, and science communication roles.
Practical Details: Costs, Benefits, and Support
The current total program cost is approximately $28,360 to $29,210 billed over two semesters (subject to annual adjustments). Every admitted student automatically receives a one-time $1,000 EESC fellowship. On-campus housing is available in double-occupancy yurts (around $750 per semester) or cabins (around $1,000 per semester), with the option to live off campus. Optional meal plans and access to a community kitchen are available. The university covers the cost of required wilderness first aid certification.
Students are eligible for federal financial aid and are automatically considered for merit-based scholarships. Part-time on-campus jobs (starting around $15 per hour) and local work opportunities, including seasonal positions at nearby ski areas, provide additional income possibilities. While the position itself lists no salary, the combination of the degree, professional experience, fellowship, and subsidized housing delivers strong value compared with longer, less applied programs.
See Also:
- The McCall Outdoor Science School Graduate Fellow Opportunity in USA: Fully Funded Master’s Degree Scholarship
- Fully Funded MS Graduate Assistantship in Algal Ecology at Ohio State University USA
- Fully Funded MSc Graduate Assistantship Opportunity at Texas A&M University-Kingsville USA
Who Should Apply and How the Application Works
Prospective graduate students from any discipline are encouraged to apply. The program values diversity of thinking and seeks hardworking, creative individuals ready for an intensive, collaborative experience. Minimum requirements include a bachelor’s degree (any field), a solid GPA (typically 3.0, with flexibility for relevant experience), two letters of recommendation, a resume, and a statement of purpose. Applications are submitted online through the University of Idaho portal. Complete packets are reviewed on a rolling basis for the fall 2027 cohort starting after August 16, 2027. The listed priority deadline is January 4, 2027.
For the most current details and to begin your application, visit the official program pages:
McCall Field Campus Academics
MNR Environmental Education and Science Communication Degree Page
Reach out directly to Graduate Program Manager Leslie Dorsey at ldorsey@uidaho.edu or 208-885-1085. She is the preferred contact for questions about readiness, community living, or how the program aligns with your goals.
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Life in McCall and Career Outcomes
McCall, Idaho, sits on Payette Lake in the Rocky Mountains, offering year-round outdoor recreation alongside a supportive small-town community. Fellows balance rigorous academics and teaching with time to explore the surrounding forests, lakes, and trails. This setting reinforces the program’s emphasis on place-based education—learning that is rooted in the local ecology and culture rather than abstract concepts.
Graduates leave with a master’s degree, a professional teaching portfolio, strong science communication skills, leadership experience, and a network of peers and mentors. The intensive format means you enter the workforce sooner than peers in traditional two-year programs, often with concrete examples of curriculum design, youth facilitation, and interdisciplinary projects to discuss with employers.
Next Steps If You Are Ready to Apply
If the idea of earning a science communication master’s degree while teaching in Idaho’s wilderness appeals to you, start by reviewing the official resources linked above and contacting Leslie Dorsey. Prepare your statement of purpose to address your readiness for an intensive residential experience, your interest in facilitating youth programs, and how the program supports your personal and professional goals. Submit materials early to allow time for review and any financial aid processes (file the FAFSA by December 1 for priority consideration).
This Graduate Fellow opportunity at the McCall Outdoor Science School is more than a degree path. It is a chance to live and work in a remarkable landscape while building the exact skills needed to connect people with the natural world. For those seeking environmental education graduate programs that prioritize practice, community, and place, few options match the depth and efficiency of this one. Explore the details, reach out, and take the next step toward earning your degree and finding your place.