Wildlife Crimes Investigator
Investigate poaching, trafficking, and environmental crimes against wildlife.
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Learn More About the Environmental Crime Investigation Program
Environmental crime investigation is a field of study that focuses on detecting, analyzing, and preventing crimes that harm ecosystems, wildlife, and natural resources. It combines science, law, and technology to address issues such as poaching, illegal logging, pollution, and wildlife trafficking. Students in this field gain skills in ecology, criminology, digital forensics, and GIS mapping to build evidence, support enforcement, and protect biodiversity.
An Applied Bachelor’s in Environmental Crime Investigation is a 90-credit degree, delivered entirely through remote learning, that prepares you to detect, analyze, and investigate environmental and wildlife crimes. This program combines science, law, mapping, and digital forensics to build practical skills for careers in enforcement, investigation, and advocacy.
Unity’s 90-credit Applied Bachelor’s program is designed to save you both time and money. With fewer credits required than a traditional 120-credit bachelor’s, you can save up to 25% on your degree cost. You may save even more if you transfer eligible credits from previous college coursework. Visit our Tuition & Financial Aid page to learn more about how you can pay for college.
Our 90-credit Applied Bachelor’s in Environmental Crime Investigation is designed around your schedule, with year-round terms (8 per year). By taking 4 credits per term, you can complete your degree in just under 3 years. Transfer credits can shorten your timeline even further, allowing you to finish even faster and start your career sooner.
Professional Core: 39 credits
Program Core: 48 credits
Elective Courses: 3 credits
- BIOL 105 Biological Diversity, Ecology, and Evolution
- BIOL 203 Ecological Principles: Applications to Conservation and Wildlife
- ENCJ 2010 Administrative Structure and Criminal Justice
- ENCJ 2020 Investigative Communication for Law Enforcement
- ENCJ 205 Digital Evidence and Substance Recognition
- ENCJ 3030 Cybercrime and Digital Forensics
- ENCJ 305 Natural Resource Law and Policy
- ENCJ 3050 Wildlife and Environmental Crime Investigations
- ENCJ 3060 Engaging Affected Parties in Investigation
- ENCJ 3070 Environmental Criminology: Patterns and Prevention
- ENCJ 4010 Wildlife Forensics and Digital Investigation
- ENCJ 4020 Courtroom Procedures and Evidence
- ENCJ 4030 Investigative Tools in Wildlife and Fisheries
- ENCJ 4040 Wildlife Genetics and Forensic Applications
- GISC 2010 Digital Mapping and GIS for Environmental Crime Investigations
For course requirements and a better look into your program, view our full course catalog. Then apply online for free to get started.
WHAT YOU WILL STUDY
The Coursework Behind Environmental Crime Investigation
Ecological Principles: Applications to Conservation and Wildlife
Explore core ecological principles and their application to active conservation challenges. Students will examine the effects of climate change, human activity, and invasive species on ecosystems and learn how ecological science informs biodiversity protection.
Administrative Structure and Criminal Justice
This course provides an overview of the administrative structures and processes that shape the U.S. criminal justice system. Students will examine the roles of local, state, federal, and tribal agencies with an emphasis on how these entities interact in the enforcement of conservation and environmental laws.
Digital Mapping and GIS for Environmental Investigation
Students will be introduced to Geographic Information Systems (GIS) as a tool for environmental crime detection and investigation. Students will learn to collect, visualize, and analyze spatial data to identify crime patterns, monitor ecosystems, and support enforcement cases.
Learn from Leaders
Career Edge Endorsement
Environmental crime is getting more complex every year, and we need officers who understand both the law and the science behind what they’re seeing in the field. A 90-credit Environmental Crime program, like the one at Unity Environmental University, helps build that kind of tech-savvy, environmentally literate workforce. It will be a real asset for agencies like ours as we recruit seasonal officers and develop a strong pipeline of future full-time talent.
Delaware Natural Resources Police
The 90-Credit Advantage
Earn
Credentials Before You Graduate
With Unity’s Career Edge digital badges, you don’t have to wait until graduation to show what you can do. Every general education course in the Environmental Crime Investigation program awards a shareable, verifiable badge you can display on LinkedIn, your resume, or a job application.
Each badge highlights a specific work-ready skill, like communication, problem-solving, collaboration, or data use, so employers can see exactly what you bring to a role. You’ll also earn a Transferable Workplace Skills Endorsement, a recognized credential that advances your career before you’ve even finished your degree.
Realizing Your Potential. Protecting Your Planet.
Why Unity Career Edge?
High Educational Value
Nationally recognized educational quality at an affordable price.
Sustainability Core
Committed to sustainable practices to prepare for a future of environmental awareness.
Personalized Guidance
Dedicated to turning career and academic aspirations into tangible achievements.
Transfer-Friendly
Transfer up to 60 of your prior credits to save even more and finish faster.
Inspiring Faculty
Connect with experts who share your passion for working in the industry.
Future Success
Ranked in the top 1% of universities nationwide by the Social Mobility Index.
Multiple Start Dates
With up to 8 terms a year, you can take a break without jeopardizing financial aid.
Learning Flexibility
Balance life, work, and education by studying when and where you want
