Conservation Officer Schools

Conservation officers provide a host of duties all related to protecting the environment. They primarily investigate fishing, hunting, wildlife and natural resource regulation violations. Also known as fish or game wardens or conservation law enforcement agents, most work for state and federal agencies, such as the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). These agencies usually require a minimum of two years of college, with coursework in biology, natural resources, wildlife management, criminal justice and other related studies. A few colleges offer degrees targeted at conservation officer careers. Graduates will still have to complete a law enforcement training program in the state where they are offered a job following graduation. In some states, the DNR has specific law enforcement training programs.
  1. Mississippi State University

    • The university's College of Forest Resource (CFR) offers a Bachelor of Science degree in its Conservation Law Enforcement program. The 124-hour program includes courses in biology; chemistry; mammalogy; primitive wildlife conservation and management; fish and wildlife policy and law; ornithology; and criminal justice systems. Students may be eligible for scholarships.

      Mississippi State University
      College of Forest Resources
      Forest and Wildlife Research Center
      Room 107 Thompson Hall
      662-325-2952
      cfr.msstate.edu/

    Vincennes University

    • Vincennes University's two-year conservation law enforcement degree is the only associate program in Indiana. According to the university, 50 percent of graduates of the state's DNR Law Enforcement training school graduated from VU. The four-semester program includes courses in survey criminal justice; plant and animal management; substantive criminal law; earth science; fish management; and, state and local government. Some general studies courses in English, psychology and math also comprise graduation requirements.

      Vincennes University
      1002 N. First Street
      Vincennes IN 47591
      800-742-9198
      vinu.edu/

    Finger Lakes Community College

    • Finger Lakes Community College provides an Associate of Applied Science Degree in natural resource conservation: law enforcement. Courses include terrestrial and aquatic ecology; environmental chemistry; fish and wildlife management; and criminal justice. Students study extensively in the field and receive hands-on training in equipment widely used by conservation officers. An internship is required for graduation. Students may be eligible for scholarships, for outstanding commitment to conservation, granted by the New York State Conservation Officers Association and by the college.

      Finger Lakes Community College
      3325 Marvin Sands Drive
      Canandaigua, NY 14424
      585-394-3522

Learnify Hub © www.0685.com All Rights Reserved