Conservation Law Enforcement| School of Legal Studies
·¬ÇÑÊÓƵ Bachelor of Science in Conservation Law Enforcement
From the scenic mountains and lakes of Baxter State Park to the rugged Atlantic coastline of Acadia National Park, our location in Maine offers a real-world learning environment for tomorrow's leaders in nature conservation and protection. ·¬ÇÑÊÓƵ's Bachelor of Science in Conservation Law Enforcement provides you with a strong, hands-on education in laws related to natural resources and the environment - all while having great access to numerous conservation law enforcement agencies and Maine's diverse natural environments.
Conservation Law Enforcement Degree Program Overview
This conservation law enforcement degree program, ideal for those who would rather work outdoors than in an office, is designed to provide an in-depth foundation of criminal justice, wildlife biology and conservation law enforcement. You will learn from experienced faculty with a broad range of legal and science backgrounds all while taking theory taught in the classroom and applying in the field. Our curriculum provides hands-on experience in wildlife trafficking, conservation biology, criminalistics and wildlife law enforcement. You will have the opportunity to gain experience through internship opportunities so you be career-ready upon graduation.
Students who graduate with a Bachelor’s Degree in Conservation Law Enforcement can pursue a wide range of careers as game wardens, forest rangers, federal wildlife officers/agents, and marine patrol officers within state parks, national parks and agencies tasked with protecting our country’s natural resources.
Career Outlook for Conservation Law Enforcement Majors
Conservation law enforcement provides you with a variety of career options ranging from protecting both wildlife and visitors as a forest ranger in one of America's national parks to conducting investigations and search-and-rescue missions as a marine patrol officer. Between nonprofit organizations and local, state, and federal agencies, you'll also have no shortage of employers from which to choose.
According to the ), there are projected to be an average of over 62,000 job openings each year through 2034 for police and detectives, which includes game and fish wardens. The also projects an average of 3,400 job openings each year of conservation scientists and foresters, an employment sector that includes roles similar in scope to park rangers.
The reports a median salary of nearly $70,000 for game and fish wardens. Conservation scientists and foresters earn a median salary ranging from around $60,000 to $90,000 depending on the exact position and whether they work for a local, state or federal agency, per the .
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Requirements for becoming a game warden vary by state. In most jurisdictions, you must meet specific minimum criteria—including passing a background check and a physical readiness test—to advance in the application process. While many states require an associate's or bachelor's degree, others, such as Maine, allow for high school graduates to apply, provided they meet certain age or experience thresholds.
Most states also require candidates to complete extensive field training and graduate from a law enforcement academy. Before being appointed to an official role, you will typically need to pass a general exam, medical evaluation, and hands-on training modules, including firearms qualification. Additional specialized training may be required depending on the specific position; regardless of the locale, it is highly recommended to become thoroughly familiar with the natural resource laws and policies of the state where you intend to serve.
A game warden, also referred to as a conservation officer or game and fish warden, is a law enforcement officer dedicated to protecting wildlife and natural resources. Their duties include enforcing hunting and fishing regulations, conducting investigations, performing search-and-rescue missions, and educating the public on conservation. These officers typically patrol state and federal lands, as well as bodies of water, including forests, mountains, lakes, rivers, coastal regions, and remote wilderness areas
Park rangers and forest rangers are similar in that they both serve in protective and law enforcement roles on public lands. Forest rangers typically serve as law enforcement officers or resource specialists in state and federal forest agencies. There, they focus on enforcing laws, preventing and subduing wildfires, and assisting with medical aid and search-and-rescue operations.
While park rangers often hold many of these same job duties, they primarily work in state and national parks, which are managed differently than state and national forests. Additionally, many park rangers work in roles that focus on educating the public about natural resources, history, and wildlife.
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For more information
| Name |
Phone and Email | Address |
|---|---|---|
Lori Perez, PhDAssistant Professor, Program Coordinator, Conservation Law |
207.941.7610 perezl@husson.edu |
214 Harold Alfond Hall ·¬ÇÑÊÓƵ 1 College Circle Bangor, Maine 04401 |