Online Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Management

Is an Environmental Management Degree for You?

Environmental management is the practice of overseeing human interaction with the natural world. In these programs, students learn about the environment and ecosystems, environmental laws, land and energy resources, and sustainable solutions and practices. They develop the skills necessary to conduct management duties in the areas of land and water, pollution control, environmental policies and regulations, environmental technology, and environmental health and safety.

Advice for Earning Your Environmental Management Degree Online

Earning an environmental management degree online is a great option for students who have to balance work and school and need a flexible schedule. Not only are online environmental management degrees convenient, but they're also viewed positively in the job market and are well respected by most employers as a credible alternative to brick-and-mortar programs. But before enrolling in any online program, it's crucial that you make sure your school is accredited. Attending a non-accredited college is very risky because many employers will not recognize a degree, online or traditional, unless it comes from an accredited institution. It's also a good idea for all environmental management majors to secure an internship or summer job that will provide the valuable training and hands-on experience you'll need after graduation.

Required Courses

During your studies, you will be required to take such classes as environmental biology, environmental policies, concepts of sustainability, business and the environment, environmental ethics and environmental management. Some environmental management majors must also enroll in communications courses to improve their people skills, which are needed for influencing business deals and addressing environmental policies.

Common Career Paths

Environmental management majors will be eligible to work in several exciting careers after graduation. These fields include (but are not limited to):

• Range Managers

  Range managers are responsible for managing and protecting natural resources. Theyh3monitor wildlife, plants and energy sources. They inform farmers and ranchers about the best ways to utilize their land, as well as provide advice to the government and landowners on recreational usage. Typical duties may include developing resource management plans; taking inventory of animals, plants and soils; maintaining vegetation; taking measures to prevent wildfires; and restoring degraded ecosystems. Range managers often work closely with agricultural workers, farmers, ranchers, landowners, government workers and other types of conservation scientists.

  Employment of conservation scientists and foresters, which include range managers, is projected to increase 5 percent between 2010 and 2020, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Their median annual salary was $57,420 in May 2010.

• Forester

  These professionals are responsible for managing national forests and supervising recreational, conservational and environmental activities within them. They work to keep forests sustainable by devising and implementing plans to protect land while still making it profitable. This can involve duties such as deciding appropriate areas to plant trees and vegetation, identifying strategies to conserve wildlife habitats, maintaining water quality and soil stability, and approving appropriate areas to cut timber. Along with work related to land conservation, foresters also oversee recreational activities such as hunting.

  Employment of conservation scientists is projected to increase 5 percent between 2010 and 2020, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Their median annual salary was $57,420 in May 2010.

• Soil and Water Conservationist

  Soil and water conservationists provide technical assistance to government agencies, forest managers, farmers and ranchers. They are responsible for designing programs for productive land usage, helping landowners with erosion problems and developing management practices to diminish erosion.

  Employment of conservation scientists is projected to increase 5 percent between 2010 and 2020, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Their median annual salary was $57,420 in May 2010.