by our College Data Analytics TeamNatural Resources Conservation is a wide field and contains many different majors from Wildlife Management to Fisheries Science. However, there are some lesser-known majors that may interest you. Choosing a more narrow focus allows you the opportunity to focus on a particular area of natural resource conservation and go into a field that you are genuinely passionate about.
One lesser known major is Sustainable Resource Management. In this major students will learn how to ensure the longevity of resources that are used often. Students could also choose to major in Zoology and learn about animals, conserving habitats and the intricacy of ecological systems. These are just a few examples of subjects you may want to concentrate in. Before committing to a college, examine their course offerings to ensure they offer the classes you are interested in.
Any major in Natural Resources will include a strong science curriculum ranging from biology and ecology to chemistry and environmental science. Sustainable Resource Management will also include classes in policy and wildlife management while Zoology will focus on animal physiology, genetics, and mammalogy.
In 2020-2021, natural resources conservation (other) was the 328th most popular major nationwide with 151 degrees awarded. This is a difference of 21 over the prior year, a growth of 13.9%.
Our 2023 Best Natural Resources Conservation (Other) Schools ranking analyzes 2 of these schools to determine the best overall colleges for natural resources conservation (other) students. Explore this or one of our many other custom other conservation rankings further below.
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
BS in Environmental Science - Natural Resources & Conservation
Develop a broad-based interdisciplinary skill set to solve complex environmental problems like climate change, alternative energy and sustainability with a specialized online degree from Southern New Hampshire University.
If you have a passion for the environment and wish to ensure certain resources and animals will be around for future generations, then a major in this field could be perfect for you. Many of the majors in this field of study could lead to spending time outdoors performing fieldwork while also providing the opportunity to work in labs or even classrooms informing the public of the importance of natural resource conservation.
Students interested in this field should take as many science courses as possible during High School. Critical and analytical thinking and problem solving skills are also important. Many of the majors in this field also require students to learn to be excellent communicators and work on their speaking and writing skills.
Internships, summer jobs, or volunteering with conservation efforts will provide experience that will be helpful while pursuing a major in Natural Resources. Organizations such as The Sierra Club, The Nature Conservancy, and the U.S. National Park Service are committed to conserving resources and habitats and often allow students the opportunity to learn from them as an intern.
New students will need to have completed high school or a GED program and each school will have their own minimum GPA and SAT/ACT test requirements. In addition to these basic natural resources conservation (other) program qualifications, to serve in some other conservation careers, special certification may be required outside of your degree.
Other Conservation degree levels vary. You can spend many years getting as high as a in natural resources conservation (other) to something that takes less time like a . The type of other conservation degree you choose will determine how long it takes to get your diploma.
| 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 doctor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to other conservation, with approximately 67.6% of workers getting one. People currently working in careers related to other conservation tend obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral Degree | 69.3% |
| Post-Doctoral Training | 32.3% |
| Master’s Degree | 0.8% |
Most workers in other conservation have at least a doctor's degree. View the chart below to get an idea of what degree level most of those in natural resources conservation (other) careers have.
The education level required is different depending on the other conservation career you are seeking.
A degree in the Natural Resources, including Sustainable Resource Management or Zoology among others, will prepare graduates for a career at any number of conservation organizations or government agencies. The more advanced the degree, the more opportunities will be available to graduates along with greater opportunities to advance. The career fields in natural conservation have been slowly growing over the past couple years. Competition for jobs may be high depending on what area you live in.
Want a job when you graduate with your other conservation degree? Natural Resources Conservation (Other) careers are expected to grow 4.5% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to natural resources conservation (other).
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Forestry & Conservation Science Professors | 2,300 | 4.5% |
Natural Resources Conservation (Other) graduates between 2017-2019 reported earning an average of $27,948 in the 2019-2020 timeframe. Earnings can range from as low as $20,972 to as high as $32,303. As you might expect, salaries for other conservation graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for natural resources conservation (other) graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers other conservation grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Forestry & Conservation Science Professors | $92,550 |
With over 30 different other 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 other conservation school rankings to help you with this.
Learn about other programs related to Natural Resources Conservation (Other) that might interest you.
One of 5 majors within the Natural Resources & Conservation area of study, Natural Resources Conservation (Other) has other similar majors worth exploring.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Natural Resources Conservation | 22,254 |
| Natural Resource Management | 2,933 |
| Wildlife Management | 2,449 |
| Forestry | 2,233 |
| Fisheries Sciences | 483 |
