What Degree is Required to Work in Wildlife Conservation?

<p><table border="0"> <tr><td><img src="/cimages/multimages/2/adobestock_606254881.jpeg" alt="Wildlife Conservation Degrees" /></td></tr> </table> </p> <p>A wildlife conservationist is an <a href="https://learn.org/article_directory/Environmental_Management_and_Conservation_FAQs.html">environmental management and conservation professional</a> whose job is to protect wild animals and their habitats. Depending on the job they hold, they may do this through research or policy work. </p> <p>There are many different types of jobs for wildlife conservationists, each with their own career paths and degree requirements. We'll break them all down below. </p> <h2 id="section---TypesOfWildlifeConservationCareersAndRequiredDegrees">Types of Wildlife Conservation Careers and Required Degrees</h2> <p>Wildlife conservationists can protect wildlife in many ways. Each career requires a different set of skills, as well as different levels of degrees and different majors. </p> <p>Most wildlife conservationists need a bachelor's degree at a minimum. If you know you want to go into wildlife conservation but aren't sure what career, you can choose a wildlife studies degree. </p> <h2 id="section---ConservationScientist">Conservation Scientist</h2> <p>The title 'conservation scientist' is sometimes used interchangeably with 'wildlife conservationist.' </p> <p>They use science and research to observe animals in their natural habitat and determine how to best protect these animals and their ecosystems. </p> <p>Often, conservation scientists specialize in a particular field of wildlife. They may focus on a specific type of animal or ecosystem. </p> <p><b>Job duties include:</b> </p> <ul><li>monitoring and studying animals and habitats </li><li>advocating for the preservation of wildlife </li><li>developing conservation strategies </li><li>educating the public on conservation </li></ul><h3 id="section---DegreeRequirementsForConservationScientists">Degree Requirements for Conservation Scientists</h3> <p>Conservation scientists usually hold at least a <a href="https://learn.org/article_directory/Bachelor_Degree_FAQs.html">bachelor's degree</a>. Bachelor's degrees usually require 120 credits and take about four years to complete. </p> <p>There are several majors available for conservation scientists depending on your area of interest. </p> <p><b>These include:</b> </p> <ul><li>biology </li><li>conservation biology </li><li>environmental science </li><li>natural resources </li><li>wildlife biology </li><li>zoology </li></ul><p>Those who want to go into research-focused careers may need to earn a graduate-level degree. </p> <h2 id="section---Forester">Forester</h2> <p><a href="https://learn.org/article_directory/Forestry_and_Wildlife_Management_FAQs.html">Foresters</a> focus specifically on preserving the ecosystem of forest areas. Forests are an important part of nature and need to be protected. </p> <p><b>Job duties of a forester may include:</b> </p> <ul><li>creating plans for managing forests </li><li>directing and assisting with forest fire suppression </li><li>managing and overseeing forest-cleared lands and forest regrowth </li><li>monitoring construction and forestry activities to ensure compliance with government regulations </li><li>negotiating forestry contracts </li><li>selecting and preparing sites for new trees </li><li>working to improve land with as little environmental damage as possible </li></ul><p>Foresters often work for the government, either in government forestry services or in federal, state, or local parks. </p> <p>However, foresters may also work as consultants or for lumbar companies and forestry firms. </p> <h3 id="section---DegreeRequirementsForForesters">Degree Requirements for Foresters</h3> <p>Foresters typically need at least a bachelor's degree, although some entry-level positions may accept applicants with associate degrees. </p> <p><b>Foresters can major in subjects such as:</b> </p> <ul><li>ecosystem management </li><li>environmental conservation </li><li>forest biology </li><li>forest resources </li><li>forest science </li><li>forestry </li><li>natural resources </li><li>urban forestry </li></ul><p>The Society of American Foresters (SAF) accredits forestry education programs in the U.S. You can find a full list of accredited programs at eforester.org. </p> <h2 id="section---WildlifeBiologist">Wildlife Biologist</h2> <p>Wildlife biologists are similar to conservation scientists, but their work focuses more closely on researching and monitoring specific animals, plants, or habitats. </p> <p><b>Job duties may include:</b> </p> <ul><li>collecting data and specimens in the wild </li><li>consulting on developmental projects that may impact wildlife </li><li>creating and launching research studies </li><li>observing how wildlife interact with their habitat </li><li>monitoring plants or animals </li><li>publishing and sharing research </li><li>studying the impact of humans on ecosystems </li><li>testing specimens </li></ul><p>Wildlife biologists are very similar to zoologists but often specialize in specific ecosystems or animal populations. For example, a wildlife biologist may specifically study at-risk species. </p> <h3 id="section---DegreeRequirementsForWildlifeBiologists">Degree Requirements for Wildlife Biologists</h3> <p>Wildlife biologists can usually enter the field with a bachelor's degree, but will likely need a <a href="https://learn.org/article_directory/Masters_Degree_FAQs.html">master's degree</a> or doctorate to advance. </p> <p><b>Wildlife biologists can major in subjects such as:</b> </p> <ul><li>biology </li><li>ecology </li><li>wildlife biology </li><li>wildlife conservation </li><li>wildlife management </li><li>zoology </li></ul><p>After earning a degree, wildlife biologists may want to consider becoming certified through the Wildlife Society. It offers different certification levels based on education and experience. </p> <h2 id="section---WildlifePolicyAnalystOrConservationLobbyist">Wildlife Policy Analyst or Conservation Lobbyist</h2> <p>Wildlife policy analysts and conservation lobbyists work on the legal and political side of wildlife conservation. </p> <p>Wildlife policy analysts help construct new legislation and policies. They typically work for the government, nonprofit organizations, or conservation groups. </p> <p>Conservation lobbyists, meanwhile, work for individual organizations. Their job is to persuade politicians to vote a certain way based on their organization's cause. </p> <p>These types of roles may specialize in a specific environmental cause, such as global warming or hunting. </p> <h3 id="section---DegreeRequirementsForWildlifePolicyAnalystsAndConservationLobbyists">Degree Requirements for Wildlife Policy Analysts and Conservation Lobbyists</h3> <p>Wildlife policy analysts and conservation lobbyists may choose slightly different educational routes depending on their profession, but there is often a lot of overlap. </p> <p><b>Wildlife policy analysts and conservation lobbyists may major in:</b> </p> <ul><li>environmental policy </li><li>environmental studies </li><li>law </li><li>political science </li></ul><p>Wildlife policy analysts and conservation lobbyists need at least a bachelor's degree, but many go on to earn master's and doctoral degrees in their chosen fields. </p> <h2 id="section---BecomeAWildlifeConservationist">Become a Wildlife Conservationist</h2> <p>To become a wildlife conservationist, you will likely need a bachelor's degree in wildlife conservation or a related field, but it depends on your specific <a href="https://learn.org/article_directory/Career_Planning_FAQs.html">career path</a>.</p>