森林健康是一个多学科的合作研究领域，涉及对世界森林资源的理解，监测和保护。森林健康的坚实基础需要许多学科的专业知识，包括但不限于植物病理学，昆虫学，生态学，树木学，真菌学，造林和森林管理。在ESF，我们已经在这些领域提供了数十年的学术培训，但直到最近才将它们合并为一门学术专业。森林卫生专业为生物学为导向的学生做准备，以从事维持森林资源健康的工作。该专业不同于森林与自然资源管理系及其森林生态系统科学专业的专业，后者提供森林管理的技能和准备。今天的雇主表示，需要对树的背后的科学有更深入的了解。在联邦和州机构，
Forest health is a multidisciplinary and collaborative field of study that involves the understanding, monitoring, and protection of the world's forest resources. A solid foundation in forest health requires expertise in many disciplines including, but not limited to, plant pathology, entomology, ecology, dendrology, mycology, silviculture, and forest management. At ESF, we have provided academic training in these areas for decades, but only recently have they been merged into an academic major. The forest health major prepares biology-oriented students for employment in positions that deal with maintaining the health of forest resources. The major is distinct from those in the Department of Forest and Natural Resources Management and its forest ecosystem science major, which provides skills and preparation in forest management. Employers today have expressed a need for a deeper understanding of the science behind the trees. Positions requiring a forest health background are found in federal and state agencies, nonprofit organizations, and the private sector. With good performance, the forest health major prepares students for graduate study in preparation for higher-level positions, such as forest pathologist, entomologist, or mycologist.