Degree Overview: Bachelor’s Degree Programs in Natural Resources Management
Majors Overview April 3, 2015Get information about bachelor’s degree programs in natural resources management and their coursework, career choices, job and wage outlook, and continuing education choices.
Bachelor’s Programs in Natural Resources Management
The proper care and preservation of wild ecosystems is the purview of natural resources management. The bachelor’s degree program in natural resources management focuses on developing expertise in solving problems related to managing plant, soil, wildlife, and water resources.
Avid nature lovers would benefit by enrolling in natural resources management studies involving significant time spent conducting research in the field. Admission criteria typically require incoming students to hold a GED certificate or a high school diploma.
Coursework
A natural resources management major is devised to complement field research time with laboratory-based and theoretical education. Core coursework includes subject areas such as:
•Soil science principles
•Environmental law
•Renewable resources
•Natural resource mapping
•Economic issues in resource management
•Remote sensing
Career Choices
Those who complete a natural resource management program can seek occupations in both the private and public sectors in consulting, advocacy, and research roles. Career choices commonly include the following:
•Environmental writer
•Recreation planner
•Federal resource regulator
•Natural resource scientist
•Environmental conservation consultant
Job and Wage Outlook
In May 2012, conservation scientists brought home an average annual wage of $59,060 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)). During that same year, conservation scientists working in the consulting industry earned an average annual wage of $67,670. Over the 2012 – 2022 decade, job growth rates of three percent have been predicted for conservation scientists (BLS).
Continuing Education Choices
While holders of a bachelor’s degree in natural resources management can choose from many entry-level careers, career advancement can often only be achieved with a graduate-level degree, such as master’s and Ph.D. programs in scientific disciplines that would include biology and environmental science.
Pursuing graduate education in business management or business administration with specializations in wildlife science would benefit students interested in political advocacy or organizational leadership roles. Most careers in natural resources management are available without holding professional certification.
