Environmental Management Bachelor’s Degree Online
Is an Environmental Management Degree for You?
Environmental management is the practice of managing human interaction with the natural environment and the impact it has of natural resources. In environmental management programs, students learn about then environment and ecosystems, environmental laws, land and energy resources, and sustainable solutions and practices. They develop the skills and abilities 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. Most environmental management bachelor's degrees are best associated with professional and management positions in the consulting industry. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment within the management, scientific, and technical consulting services industry is projected to increase.
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. Once you've confirmed your online school's accreditation status, you can enroll in an online environmental management or environmental sciences bachelor's degree program. 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
Most environmental management curriculums cover everything from ecology to ethics. During your studies, you will be required to take environmental biology, environmental policies, concepts of sustainability, business and the environment, environmental ethics, environmental management, and other major courses. Some environmental management majors are required to take communications courses to improve their people skills as well, 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 on rangelands including wildlife, plants, and energy resources. They work to optimize land use without risking the environment using their agricultural expertise to inform farmers and ranchers about the best and most productive ways to utilize their land, as well as provide advice to the government and landowners on the best ways to use land for recreational purposes. 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.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment of conservation scientists is projected to increase 12% by 2018. There will be greater demand for range managers as more companies become involved in land development. The BLS reported that in May 2008, the median annual salary of conservation scientists, including range managers, was $58,720.
- Forester
Foresters are responsible for managing national forests and supervising recreational, conservational, and environmental activities concerning 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 duties related to land conservation, foresters also oversee duties to use to land for economic and recreational uses such as hunting.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment of foresters is projected to increase 12 % by 2018. There will be a greater demand for foresters as funding for new preservation programs increases. The BLS reported that in May 2008, the median annual salary of foresters was $53,750.
- Soil and Water Conservationist
Soil and water conservationists provide technical assistance to professionals who are concerned with the conservation of natural resources, such as 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. These types of conservationists work closely with government workers, range managers, foresters, agricultural workers, and other types of conservation scientists.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment of conservation scientists is projected to increase 12% by 2018. There will be an increase in demand for conservationists as more companies the need for management of soil and water systems increases. The BLS reported that in May 2008, the median annual salary of conservation scientists, including soil and water conservationists, was $58,720.
