Are you a person with a passion for wildlife and environmental conservation? If so, a wildlife management degree can lead you to the fulfilling career you desire. Getting accurate answers to your questions is the first step in your journey towards a career in wildlife management.
Which Jobs Can a Degree in Wildlife Management Lead To?
Wildlife management involves a wide range of sciences and methods. By definition, wildlife management is a profession that involves striking a balance between the needs of both wildlife and people. This is done by utilizing several services such as conservation, pest control, game keeping and other related fields. For instance, a job in wildlife conservation requires knowledge of geography, the environment and other subjects; which can be studied while pursing a wildlife management degree.
Other jobs held by people with this degree include environmental law enforcement, environmental education, publicity services, administration and more. There are many reputable institutions that offer wildlife management degree programs that cover all related subjects that are needed to equip students for working in their desired wildlife specialty areas.
What Kinds of Schools or Colleges Offer Wildlife Management Degrees?
Students can find colleges, private schools and universities with wildlife management degrees in practically every state in the nation. These degrees offer a quality education so that graduates can find jobs related to every form of wildlife management. For instance, public schools such as the University of Georgia’s Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources provides continuing education in a focused course of study for students who wish to specialize in wildlife and habitat management. The wildlife management degree programs are outlined at http://conted.warnell.uga.edu/courses/wildlife.
The University of Michigan offers undergraduate and graduate wildlife management degree programs through its Department of Fisheries and Wildlife. These degree programs equip students to work in fields relating to environmental sustainability and preservation of the earth’s ecosystems. Details of their programs can be found at http://www.fw.msu.edu/ . Again, colleges, universities and learning institutions are available in every state so that students can easily find a school to pursue a degree in wildlife management.
Is it Possible to Get an Online Wildlife Management Degree?
Yes, accredited online wildlife management degree programs do exist. With so many students who work full time or have other responsibilities that make it hard to attend school on campus, online colleges with wildlife management degrees make it possible to pursue a dream career. These online courses provide students with a comprehensive education to prepare them to work in the wildlife management profession.
The Universityof Phoenix is one online school that offers Bachelor’s degrees in Environmental Science which can lead to a wildlife management job. The school also offers Environmental Policy and Management as well as Environmental Policy Master degree programs. While the Universityof Phoenix does have brick and mortar locations across they nation, they operate a virtual online campus that is attended by students in well over 100 countries around the globe. Their website address is www.phoenix.edu .
There are literally hundreds of well known schools where students can take courses that lead to a degree in wildlife management. These learning institutions have informative websites where potential students can get information about course studies, degrees and tuition. If you are interested in seeking an online wildlife management degree, it is a good idea to do some research on as many schools as possible. Also, get as many references from other students who may have taken courses through the online college as possible. It is recommended that students should make sure the school they choose is accredited in order to have the best chance at landing the desired job after graduation.
What are the Prerequisites for Acceptance to Wildlife Management Degree Programs?
Depending on the degree level that the student wishes to pursue, each school will require prospective students to successfully complete certain courses before admittance in the program. While every school is different, many advance degree schools require completion of at least 120 college credits to enter their masters level programs.
Some community colleges and vocational schools offer basic two year degrees in wildlife management and conservation. Admittance to some of these programs may only require a high school diploma. The best way to determine what is needed to enroll in a course is to decide what your career expectations are once you receive your degree in wildlife management. If you plan to advance in your career, check with the school first to see exactly what their individual requirements are for admission into the program.
Which Courses Lead to a Wildlife Management Degree?
Again, course requirements depend on the type of degree pursued and the school attended. However, most students can expect to be required to pass math, psychology, and writing courses. In addition, classes in natural resource conservation, renewable resource policies, ecosystem studies and the like are usually included in the curriculum. Depending on the field of study, forestry, soil, hydrology and zoology must also be mastered to earn a degree.
Are there Other Qualifications for a Successful Career in this Field?
As with any profession, prospective employees must be enthusiastic about their jobs. Certain positions, such as forestry or conservation, require that workers are healthy enough to work outdoors on a regular basis. Employers look for mature workers who work well with others and possess the ability to make intelligent decisions on short notice. Depending upon the job, some measure of mechanical aptitude may be necessary. In most instances, clean criminal background checks and/or security checks are needed in order to be considered for the job.
How Many People Work in the Wildlife Management Industry in theUnited States?
According to the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics, about 13,000 people worked in some area of wildlife management in the year 2008. Of these, the largest percentage that worked in forest and conservation were employed by governmental agencies on the state and local levels. A good percentage of these employees worked for the Department of Agriculture Forest Service, National Parks Board and various departments of environmental affairs. About one percent of workers in this occupation are self employed in occupations such as game ranchers. This percentage also included people who were self employed in the fishing, wildflower and timber industries across the country.
Which States Employ the Most Wildlife Management Industry Workers?
Employees with a wildlife management degree can be found in every state in America in a number of various occupations. The western and southeast areas of the country have the highest population of wildlife management workers because of the huge number of parks and private forests in these regions. The highest concentration of workers in this industry are located in Hawaii, North and South Dakota, California and New Mexico.
The climate plays a part in the concentration of wildlife management employees, especially in the forestry industry. As an example, wildlife management workers are usually not needed during winter weather in the northern states of the country. For a complete breakdown of employment statistics of wildlife management degree graduates, see the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics website at http://www.bls.gov/home.htm.
How Much Can a Person With a Wildlife Management Degree Expect to Earn?
In 2008 the median wage for forest and conservation employees was $10.98 an hour up to about $15.00 per hour. These wages were earned by workers in industries such as logging and wood preservation, museums and historical sites and other institutions.
Wildlife management jobs for state and local governments as well as big private firms pay much more money and offer greater benefits. People with advance degrees in wildlife management can expect to earn the highest wages among these workers in occupations as teachers, administrators and researchers.
Which States Pay the Highest Salary?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that the top five highest paying states for forest and conservation employees are Pennsylvania, Michigan, Missouri, New York and Virginia. Salaries for fish and game wardens are highest in the state ofMaryland, an average of over $67,000 a year in 2009. As noted, people who have an advanced wildlife management degree will earn top dollar in just about every state. These graduates usually hold jobs as researchers, wildlife biologists, agriculturalists and professors.
All it takes is some advance planning in order to begin preparing for a wildlife management career. After deciding that this is the career for you, start by researching which education options work for you, whether on campus or pursuing an online wildlife management degree on the internet. Don’t hesitate to ask questions to help make the best decision for your circumstances.
References or reviews of accredited schools, choice locations and labor statistics will help you make the right choice. Take advantage of reliable information on websites such as the U.S. Department of Labor at http://www.dol.gov . Hard work and patience will pay off and your wildlife management degree will be yours in no time at all.
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