Natural resources and conservation are hot topics in our society. Many are concerned about the world's quickly depleting resources, whether it is oil, forests or endangered species. If you are passionate about this topic and believe you would like to help make a difference, a major in Natural Resource Conservation is just the beginning.
There are many different majors within the Natural Resources and Conservation field of study. A Natural Resources Management degree will provide the skills to manage how resources are used while majoring in Natural Resource Conservation will teach you how to productively and responsibly use the Earth's resources. If you prefer to work with animals, you can learn about habitat management with a major in Wildlife Management or specialize with a major in Fisheries Sciences. If you believe Natural Resources and Conservation is the field of study for you, any one of these majors will allow you to work in the field you are passionate about.
DEBUG: Raw major_slug = "natural-resources-conservation"
Most of the majors within Natural Resources and Conservation are based heavily in sciences making a background in sciences very beneficial. Other essential skills are critical thinking and problem solving. Careers in this field require professionals to analyze different problems related to natural resources or habitats and create solutions. A love for the outdoors and a desire to save habitats is vital for anyone in this field.
ADBLOCK #171
Prior Education for a Natural Resources & Conservation Program
natural resources & conservation degree applicants generally need have finished high school or their GED. Many schools may also have GPA and SAT/ACT score minimums that must be met. Once you obtain your degree, additional natural resources & conservation certifications required to pursue a career in this field.
Natural Resources & Conservation Degree Types
Natural Resources & Conservation degree levels vary. Natural Resources & Conservation programs offered by schools range from a to a , which is the highest natural resources & conservation degree you can get. The time it takes to complete a natural resources & conservation degree varies depending on the program.
Degree
Credit Requirements
Typical Program Length
Associate Degree
60-70 credits
2 years
Bachelor’s Degree
120 credits
4 years
Master’s Degree
50-70 credits
1-3 years
Doctorate
Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation
At least 4 years
A bachelor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to natural resources & conservation, with approximately 37.1% of workers getting one. Find out other typical degree levels for natural resources & conservation workers below.
Level of Education
Percentage of Workers
Bachelor’s Degree
31.9%
High School Diploma
15.3%
Master’s Degree
12.8%
Doctoral Degree
8.4%
Some College Courses
7.5%
ADBLOCK #172
62.6% of natural resources & conservation workers have at least a bachelor's. See the chart below for the most common degree level workers in natural resources & conservation have received.
This of course varies depending on which natural resources & conservation career you choose.
Career Opportunities for A Degree In Natural Resources & Conservation Graduate
Above AverageNumber of Jobs
$37.4kAverage Starting Salary
7% GrowthJob Outlook 2016-26
Depending on your major, there are many possibilities for a career in natural resource conservation. Graduates often work for state or federal government agencies focusing on resource or wildlife conservation. Graduates also have the option to work in labs or perform fieldwork. Depending on your level of education, you may be able to perform your own independent research and publish findings. No matter what type of career you want, there are many opportunities available. Your possibilities are endless.
Growth Projected for Natural Resources & Conservation Careers
Want a job when you graduate with your natural resources & conservation degree? Natural Resources & Conservation careers are expected to grow 7.4% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to natural resources & conservation.
Occupation Name
Projected Jobs
Expected Growth
Managers
1,071,700
8.0%
Police and Sheriff’s Patrol Officers
731,900
7.0%
Firefighters
350,900
7.2%
Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Recreational Protective Service Workers
163,700
7.6%
Police and Detective Supervisors
111,600
6.6%
DEBUG: Raw major_slug = "natural-resources-conservation"
DEBUG: Checking offer "Science & Engineering Bachelors Programs (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Science & Engineering Bachelors Programs (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Science & Engineering Diploma Programs (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Science & Engineering Diploma Programs (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: relevant_offers count = 8
DEBUG: relevant_offers > 0, checking for ESYOH offers
DEBUG: ESYOH filtering - found 5 ESYOH offers with relevance >= 0.5
DEBUG: esyoh_offers count = 5
DEBUG: ESYOH offers found, rendering ESYOH widget
DEBUG: most_relevant_only = true, filtering for most relevant
DEBUG: Found 0 offers with relevance >= 1.0
DEBUG: Backfilling with 0 offers with relevance >= 0.9
DEBUG: Backfilling with 3 offers with relevance >= 0.8
How Much Money Do Natural Resources & Conservation Grads Make?
Recently graduated natural resources & conservation students earned an average of $37,436 in <nil>. Earnings can range from as low as $15,681 to as high as $81,807. As you might expect, salaries for natural resources & conservation graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for natural resources & conservation graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers natural resources & conservation grads often go into.
Occupation Name
Median Average Salary
Managers
$115,590
Police and Detective Supervisors
$93,100
Forestry & Conservation Science Professors
$92,550
Environmental Science Professors
$91,330
Fire Fighting Supervisors
$80,310
ADBLOCK #173
Getting Your Natural Resources & Conservation Degree
With over 3,073 different natural resources & conservation degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased natural resources & conservation school rankings to help you with this.
Top Ranking Lists for Natural Resources & Conservation
by our College Data Analytics Team
