Wildlife Management Degree Programs

What are the benefits of a wildlife management degree or a wildlife conservation degree? Anyone who is interested in pursuing work in the field of animal preservation should consider a wildlife conservation degree.

This job includes fieldwork and investigating the impact of various human and corporate actions upon animal life. A wildlife conservation degree is an essential part of developing the skills necessary and having the credentials required to take part in the many profit and non-profit companies that need qualified individuals. There are also different types of certification, and one may become certified for higher-level work after one has the required fieldwork experience. Areas of study may include marine marine wildlife studies, botany, and zoology. The more fieldwork experience one gains, the higher they may climb on the certification ladder. The work may either involve instruction and education, or consulting work where an individual advises a business on its practices. Or it may involve more hands on work where the person is actually in the wild for some period of time.

Environmental Related Program

• BS in Environmental Science

• Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Poli Sci and Public Admin - Managing in the Public Environment

Columbia Southern University

• Bachelor of Science in Environmental Management
• Graduate Certificate in Environmental Management
• Undergraduate Certificate in Environmental Management

Marylhurst University

• Bachelor of Science in Sustainable Business
• Accelerated MBA in Sustainable Business - Energy Policy & Administration
• Accelerated MBA in Sustainable Business - General Program
• Accelerated MBA in Sustainable Business - Green Development
• Accelerated MBA in Sustainable Business - Natural & Organic Resources
• Accelerated MBA in Sustainable Business - Renewable Energy

Kaplan University

• B.S. in Environmental Policy and Management
• MS in Environmental Policy
• MS in Higher Education - Environmental Policy Concentration

Colorado Technical University Online

• Master of Business Administration - Environmental and Social Sustainability

Vermont Law School

• Master of Environmental Law and Policy
• Master of Laws in Environmental Law

Penn Foster Schools

• Wildlife & Forestry Conservation

Wildlife Conservation Education and Training

Wildlife management training is based around the study and observation of various animal biology and habitats. Forestry conservation degree programs and wildlife conservation degree courses may studies in marine life, land mammals, forestry and other areas of concentration. Some examples of courses are:

• Fishery Science
• Landscape Ecology
• Wildlife Habitat Management
• Mammalogy
• Geography
• Botany
• Wildlife biology
• Ecology
• Biology

Additional coursework will focus on the application of statistics and ways of measuring data once collected. Finally, as the careers in wildlife conservation entail interaction with humans and corporations as well as government entities, classes on communication and management will be covered.

Many individuals desire to also be certified by an organization such as The Wildlife Society. This will give them an advantage over many others with the same education. In order to receive certification a person must meet the required educational experience.

Wildlife Conservation Careers

Upon graduation, there are several opportunities available to those seeking wildlife conservation jobs. Many of the positions are in federal and local government. The jobs in federal and local government range from park jobs as wardens, to enforcement jobs where responsibilities include assisting other law enforcement agencies in investigating and surveillance.

One of the other jobs common for someone in the employ of the federal government is wildlife management. In this capacity the individual will be required to design plans, and assist property owners with a variety of problems and concerns.

They will also be responsible for monitoring and evaluating the wildlife in a particular region. There are also situations in private sector as well as many spots in the academic environment. Many corporations involve wildlife conservation specialist to manage and consult on their company's practices.

Estimated Income and Projected Career Outlook

The salary for someone with a degree in wildlife conservation depends upon the type of employment. The bureau of labor statistics suggests that the mean salary is around $54,000 for a wildlife conservation officer and others with wildlife management degree or related field. While fish and game wardens salary is around $36,000.

Most of these jobs are found in the government, either locally or on a federal level. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) indicates that the median annual wage of zoologists and wildlife biologists was $57,430 in 2010, and the employment of zoologists and wildlife biologists is projected to grow by 7% between 2010 to 2020.

Academic jobs with either a wildlife management degree or wildlife conservation degree will vary in salary depending on the level of credentials and the institution. The median salary for a wildlife biologist was $60,000. In the same manner private sector jobs will vary greatly depending on the type of company, whether it is a non-profit or a for profit organization.

Wildlife management degree programs and related environmental science degrees