What Types of Forestry Certificates are Available Online?
Individuals who are interested in forestry can pursue a certificate to learn more about the field or add specific job skills to their resume. This article explores the types of forestry certificates available online.
Forestry Certificates Overview
Forestry certificates may supplement an associate's or bachelor's degree program. They may also augment a student's current skill set to help them perform better in his/her current position or advance to a higher position. A graduate certificate provides post-baccalaureate education in forestry. It also provides advanced training for the working forestry professional.
<h3 id="section---ImportantFactsAboutOnlineForestryCertificates">Important Facts About Online Forestry Certificates</h3><p></p><table border="1"><tr><td> Certificate Levels </td><td> Undergraduate, graduate</td></tr>
<tr><td> Prerequisites </td><td> Undergraduate degree or enrollment in university may be required</td></tr>
<tr><td> Possible Careers </td><td> Conservation scientist, environmental protection specialist, forest resource administrator, habitat conservation specialist, range manager</td></tr>
<tr><td> Key Skills </td><td> Analyzing and evaluating data from research, tests and experiments; physical stamina for traveling long distances in wooded areas; critical thinking for determining how to manage and respond to forest conditions and fires</td></tr>
<tr><td> Median Salary (2021) </td><td> $47,370 (<i>for environmental science and protection technicians</i>)</td></tr>
<tr><td> Job Outlook (2021-2031)</td><td> 6% growth (<i>for environmental science and protection technicians</i>)</td></tr>
</table><p><i>Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</i>
</p><h3 id="section---UrbanForestManagementUndergraduateCertificate">Urban Forest Management Undergraduate Certificate</h3><p>Dakota College at Bottineau, part of the North Dakota University system, offers a 1-year Urban Forest Management Diploma through its online campus. The program prepares graduates for employment in the tree care and turf management industries. Students explore various topics, such as tree and turf care, soil science, tree identification, disorder diagnosis and pest management.
</p><h3 id="section---WildlifeAndForestryConservationUndergraduateCertificate">Wildlife and Forestry Conservation Undergraduate Certificate</h3><p>Queens College, part of the City University of New York (CUNY) system, offers a Career Diploma in Wildlife and Forestry Conservation. Subjects covered in the 6-month program include recreational facilities operation, field equipment safety, wildlife law enforcement and forest ecology.
</p><h3 id="section---ForestCarbonSciencePolicyAndManagementGraduateCertificate">Forest Carbon Science, Policy and Management Graduate Certificate</h3><p>Michigan State University offers the Online Graduate Certificate in Forest Carbon Science, Policy and Management which students can earn by completing four courses online. Topics include measuring forest carbon, economics and forest carbon policy, climate change mitigation and forest biochemistry.
</p><h3 id="section---SustainableNaturalResourcesGraduateCertificate">Sustainable Natural Resources Graduate Certificate</h3><p>Oregon State University (OSU) confers a graduate certificate in sustainable natural resources online through their Extended Campus (Ecampus). The interdisciplinary program draws from courses in forestry, ecology and economics, focusing on developing leadership skills and scientific and technical proficiency. Students are required to complete a capstone project exploring a sustainability problem specific to their own region or professional organization.
</p><h3 id="section---FireEcologyManagementAndTechnologyGraduateCertificate">Fire Ecology, Management and Technology Graduate Certificate</h3><p>Many forestry professional specialize in land protection and fire control. The University of Idaho (UI) offers an online graduate certificate in fire ecology, management and technology. The program provides in-depth education in the science of fire ecology and the tools used to prevent and control wild fires. Students who do not have a bachelor's degree can pursue a Certificate in Fire Ecology with UI.</p>