Community colleges offer two-year associate degrees, usually with open enrollment. Most offer majors in biology and criminal justice, and many offer environmental science and zoology majors. Appropriate majors in the fields of biology, zoology and environmental science include animal science, limnology, natural resource management, marine biology and wildlife management. Whatever your major, take at least 18 units of criminal justice classes.
A four-year bachelor degree is not necessary for employment with a state agency, but is for certain levels of advancement or to work at the federal level. Appropriate bachelor degree majors are biology or criminal justice. Credits earned for an associate degree can be transferred to most bachelor programs.
Private colleges and universities may offer two or four year degrees. Most of these institutions offer a more limited range of majors than a public school, but the subjects may be much more specialized and coursework more in depth.
After you earn your degree, you must complete a fish and game law enforcement training program at a police academy accredited by the Commission on Peace Officer Standards. The agency you intend to work for can direct you to a local program.
There are a very few specialized wild animal programs that may help you gain wildlife experience if you already have a criminal justice degree or employment experience as a peace officer. These programs are offered by America's Teaching Zoo at Moorpark College in California, the University of Missouri College of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources, and Santa Fe College in Gainseville, Florida. They are highly competitive and require full-time commitment for the duration of the program.
There is a great deal of competition for all jobs in the field of wildlife management. Prospective fish and game wardens must not only excel in subjects related to animals and the environment, they must become armed peace officers responsible for enforcing federal and state law. Admission to many state universities and all private colleges and specialized wild animal programs is extremely competitive. As soon as you decide to pursue a career in this field, take classes relating to it. Good grades and a clean criminal record are mandatory.