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Environmental Conservation

Environmental Conservation Concentration

Today's forestry professionals strive to balance commodity production with environmental conservation. Prepare for a meaningful career that focuses on complex environmental issues in the realm of natural resource management. This concentration will give you a solid background in forestry while focusing on contemporary environmental concerns within three emphasis areas: social, land, and science.

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Courses in parentheses are prerequisites.


Scholarship Information

  • Students may apply for university, college and departmental scholarships through one application. You can find the scholarship application once you logon to myState. Under the banner tab, select Financial Aid and Scholarships. The application is listed as Submit/Revise General Scholarship Application.
  • Freshmen-only scholarships: Priority date for application is December 1.
  • All other students: Scholarship application close date is March 1.
  • New freshmen and transfer students who need information should contact Cory Bailey. All other students should contact Lanna Miller, Office of Student Services at 662.325.9376.

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Accredited Status

The Environmental Conservation concentration in the Forestry major leading to the Bachelor of Science degree is accredited by the Society of American Foresters (SAF). In the United States, programmatic accreditation is a non-governmental, peer-review process that assures the quality of the postsecondary education students receive. Academic programs volunteer to undergo this comprehensive review periodically to determine if certain criteria are being met. Accreditation is not a ranking system. It is simply assurance that a degree program meets quality standards established by the profession.


Internships

Cooperative Education - Mississippi State University’s Cooperative Education program provides opportunities to receive practical on-the-job training along with your academic studies. This is an excellent opportunity to gain the skills you'll need to begin a successful career.

You must complete two semesters of study and earn a minimum 2.5 grade-point average to enter, and you must maintain that GPA to complete the program. Most students begin the program the summer following their freshman year and alternate semesters working with a cooperating organization and studying on campus. When you've completed the program, you will have a full year of first-hand experience in your desired career field.


Thrive in Five

With MSU's Thrive in Five accelerated degree program, you can earn your bachelor's and master's degrees concurrently in only five years, compared to the typical six, allowing you to enter the workforce and start earning sooner. If you're an undergraduate student with at least 60 hours of coursework and a minimum 3.25 GPA, you may begin the process of earning your bachelor's and master's degrees at an accelerated pace today.


Living-Learning/Theme Community

The College of Forest Resources Themed Community for natural resource majors is housed in Cresswell Hall. The community will give you an opportunity to attend the same classes, establish study groups, and network and live with like-minded students. As a new student, joining this community also provides a valuable opportunity to ease the transition to college and to build relationships with other students within the natural resource field. You must be enrolled in the College of Forest Resources to participate in this program.


Potential Careers

Title
Aquatic Restoration Ecologist
Community Assistance Forester
Consulting Forester
Director of Forest Operations
District Forester
District Ranger
Environmental Auditor
Environmental Coordinator
Environmental Engineer
Extension Specialist
Forest Ecologist
Forest Land Manager
Forester
Landowner Assistance Forester
Natural Resource Manager
Procurement Forester
Production Forester
Recreation Planner
Research Forester
Resource Analyst
Terrestrial Ecologist
Terrestrial Restoration Ecologist
Urban Community Forestry Coordinator
Urban Forest Specialist
Urban Forester
Urban Forestry Program Coordinator
Vegetation Manager
Youth Camp Coordinator
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