Top Schools Offering Wildlife Biology Graduate Degree Programs
Higher Education Articles May 1, 2015Get information about the best schools that offer graduate programs in wildlife biology.
Schools Offering Wildlife Biology Programs
In wildlife biology programs, various disciplines, including mathematics, chemistry, and ecology, are applied to the study of numerous organisms, including animals, in their habitats. Students who complete a doctoral or master’s program in wildlife biology can choose from popular career options such as researchers, educators, soil conservationists, endangered species specialists, habitat managers, pest control professionals, and game wardens. In this article, we take a look at some of the best wildlife biology graduate programs in the United States.
University of Minnesota–Twin Cities – Minneapolis, MN
The U.S. News and World Report accorded the 34th rank in 2014 to the University of Minnesota’s graduate programs in biology. Schools offer wildlife biology as a concentration via its natural resources science and management program. The program strongly emphasizes conservation through the sustainable maintenance of mammalian, aviary, and fish resources.
Program coursework in the Master of Science (M.S.) in Wildlife Ecology and Management program includes topics on invertebrates, fish physiology, avian conservation, and wildlife handling and immobilization. Prospective students who seek careers in research or academia would benefit from enrolling in a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Wildlife Ecology and Management.
University of Arizona – Tucson, AZ
The U.S. News and World Report ranked the University of Arizona’s graduate programs in biology 38th in its 2014 report. The School of Natural Resources and Environment offer two degrees in wildlife biology. Species’ diversity and improvement in conditions for potentially endangered species are the dual focuses of the programs.
Rangeland ecology, watershed management, and fisheries conservation are in the research areas and coursework for the M.S. in Natural Resources with a concentration in wildlife conservation management. Prospective students who seek careers in research or academia would benefit from enrolling in the Ph.D. in Natural Resources with a concentration in wildlife conservation and management that the college offers.
Colleges and Universities offering Wildlife Biology Programs
| School Name | Distinction | Campus Location |
| Brigham Young University | In 2014, the U.S. News and World Report ranked Brigham Young University number ten as the best valued school | Provo, UT |
| Colorado State University | There are over 2,400 active alumni who works in the natural resources field at the Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Biology Department | Fort Collins, CO |
| Michigan State University | There are eight study abroad programs that students can participate in at the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife | East Lansing, MI |
| Texas A&M University | In 2014, the U.S. News and World Report ranked Texas A&M University number eighteen as the best valued school | College Station, TX |
| University of Arizona | The National Science Foundation ranked University of Arizona nineteenth on its list of school with over $625 million in research funding | Tucson, AZ |
| University of Florida | Students who are enrolled in graduate programs will be able to participate in the Wildlife Graduate Student Association | Gainesville, FL |
| University of Maryland – College Park | Students at this school will have the opportunity to work with scientists at the US Department of Agriculture, the National Institutes of Health, and the Smithsonian Institution | College Park, MD |
| University of Minnesota – Twin Cities | The U.S. News and World Report ranked the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities 25th on its list of best public schools during 2014 | Minneapolis, MN |
| University of Missouri – Columbia | There are several outreach extension facilities along with over fifty faculty members at the School of Natural Resources | Columbia, MO |
| University of Tennessee | Students will need a faculty advisor to enroll into the Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries graduate program | Knoxville, TN |
