Career With Wildlife Management Degree

Wildlife management is the application of principles of ecology and land management to managing wildlife populations and their habitats. The major focuses primarily on terrestrial and wetland habitats and their animal life with emphasis on fisheries and forestry management. Employment opportunities are with governmental agencies and a variety of private conservation organizations.

The wildlife science degree is an applied, science-based degree program, which focuses on maintaining a balance for species and habitats in the wild. Students in related programs have the chance to focus on specializations where they can develop their interests and knowledge in various employment related settings.

Wildlife management is generally defined as the application of ecology and land management principles to the management of wildlife populations and their habitats. Programs focus on wetland habitats, and terrestrial lands Employment opportunities are with governmental agencies, non-profit organizations and a various private conservation organizations.

A wildlife management degree may be pursued as a stand-alone degree, although in many cases it may be offered as a specialization in areas like environmental management, zoology, marine biology, and other related areas. A program such as the degree in Wildlife Science and Management prepares students who wish to work in conservation, management of wildernesses, and management of wildlife reservations and zoological facilities.

Wildlife management focuses on various reasons that include ecological, commercial, recreational, policy, and natural resources management. The program of study may vary from college to college, but students may be required to take interdisciplinary coursework from departments that may include biology, environmental science, policy, law, and others.

Particular courses may include soil science, forestry and fisheries management, marine biology, parks management, wildlife ecology conservation and restoration, management of natural and artificial wildlife habitats, outdoor recreation, and environmental laws and regulations.

As far as levels of go, the masters and bachelor degree programs are most commonly available. For the masters in wildlife management degree, the focus tends to be on understanding of interrelationships between economics, society and culture, ecology, and environmental policy, and the factors that influence natural resource and wildlife management.

However a few colleges and universities may offer the associate degree program, and various certificate programs are available. Because of the practical requirements that may vary by program, many degrees are offered in traditional campuses although there are various online degree programs, which one can pursue. A common program structure these days it to take some of the courses on line with a focus on the practical courses being taken on site.

Holders of the wildlife management degree may go in many different professional directions depending on the coursework they completed and specialization they chose. Duties may include censuring animal populations, regulating fishing and hunting, managing wildlife refuges and public recreation area, working with foresters to develop environmental management plans, and environmental education to mention a few areas of practice. Other professionals deal with protecting threatened and endangered species and their habitats, as well as with agricultural pests and game species.

With a wildlife management degree, the salary will vary according to the particular degree and level of study, i.e. gradate vs. undergraduate degree, level of experience, job responsibilities, and geographic location. Currently the average salary for wildlife manager jobs is $48,000 in the United States but the range is quite wide.