What Courses are in the Program?

Research Core: 15 creditsRSCH 510 Research FundamentalsMATH 510 Tools and Technologies for Data AnalysisMATH 525 Quantitative Research Design and StatisticsGISC 505 GIS & Remote Sensing for Environmental SolutionsRSCH 610 Research CommunicationMajor Program Core: 15 creditsSNRM 505 Human Dimensions of Wildlife ManagementSNRM 507 Wildlife Ecology and ManagementSNRM 510 Landscape EcologySNRM 515 Conservation EcologySNRM 650 Wildlife Research TechniquesFor course requirements and a better look into your program, view our full course catalog. Then apply online for free to get started.

What's the Difference Between an MPS and MS?

The Master of Professional Science (MPS) is a graduate degree designed to combine scientific knowledge with practical skills relevant to the workforce. Unlike traditional science degrees, the MPS emphasizes hands-on experience and professional development, preparing students for careers that require both expertise in science and the ability to apply that knowledge in real-world contexts. MPS programs focus on a range of skills that are directly applicable to the workplace:Project Management: Students learn to plan, execute, and manage projects, often in scientific or environmental settings.Communication: Emphasis is placed on effectively communicating complex scientific ideas to diverse audiences, including policymakers, stakeholders, and the general public.Policy Analysis: Students gain the ability to understand and analyze policies related to their field, making them valuable assets in governmental and organizational decision-making processes.Technical Proficiency: Students develop a range of specialized skills and techniques relevant to their discipline, such as animal training, conservation advocacy, environmental monitoring, or other tools essential to their field.The MS degree is a traditional graduate program focused on deepening scientific understanding through research and academic study.

MS in Wildlife Ecology and Management

Unity’s online programs are trusted by over 10,000 students across all 50 states.

88% of Unity graduates are employed or earning advanced degrees within 6 months.

Program Overview

Wildlife Ecology and Management

This master’s program emphasizes cutting-edge research methodologies and analytical skills, preparing you for impactful positions in government agencies, non-profits, and academic institutions.

Career Outlook: Wildlife Biologists in the U.S.

19.5 K

Number of jobs in 2025*

4 %

Est. job growth through 2035*

$ 77 K

Median annual salary in 2025*

*Source: ONet Online/U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Unity cannot guarantee employment. Salary data represents averaged earnings for occupations listed and includes workers at all levels of education and experience.

CAREER OUTCOMES

What Can I Do With a Master’s in Wildlife Ecology and Management?

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Senior Wildlife Biologist

Lead field research and data analysis for complex wildlife programs.

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Wildlife Refuge / Reserve Manager

Direct conservation operations across protected natural areas.

unity-college-captive-wildlife-care-and-education

Endangered Species Recovery Coordinator

Develop and implement recovery plans for at-risk species.

Wildlife Conflict & Coexistence Specialist

Resolve tensions between human communities and wildlife.

“Distance Education is what you make of it… I wanted to apply it to my career.”

Laurel McDermott
MPS in Wildlife Conservation and Advocacy

View Laurel’s Full Quote

Laurel McDermott
MPS in Wildlife Conservation and Advocacy

“Distance Education is what you make of it and the way that I wanted to take it was I wanted to apply it to my career. I work in habitat restoration and wildlife conservation. Not only did that help me learn more about how I can use my resources and expand all different types of this field, but it also helped me with time management and just overall professionalism”

What you’ll learn

Bridging Ecology and Decision-Making in the Field

Evaluate the foundational ideas and key assumptions in effective wildlife management practices
Understand the complex factors that influence wildlife communities and their ecosystems
Apply transdisciplinary approaches to tackle wildlife management challenges and assess potential solutions
Employ analytical tools to address various topics in wildlife ecology and management
Enhance decision-making abilities to address complex socio-ecological issues within wildlife management contexts

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Awards and recognition

Proudly Recognized for Excellence

Tuition Rate Lock

Unity’s tuition is locked through 2030, meaning your rate won’t increase while you’re enrolled, providing cost certainty from start to finish.

Total Tuition Cost: $16,500

The total degree tuition falls below the annual federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan limit, making it possible to finance your education without relying on additional private loans.

Military Friendly

Unity supports active-duty service members, veterans, and their families with a reduced tuition rate of $535/credit. VA education benefits, including the GI Bill®, Chapter 31, Chapter 35, Active Duty TA and others, may be used toward the cost of your degree.

NO SURPRISES. NO UNNECESSARY FEES.

Transparent, Predictable Pricing

See why 98% of Unity students don’t need private loans.

Affordable, Transparent Tuition

With no hidden fees!

Flexible Payment Options

Plans that fit your budget.

Locked-In Tuition

7 years with no tuition increase.

Earn While You Learn

Work full-time while studying.

Personalized Financial Plan

Know your cost before you start.

Low Textbook Costs

Free materials in most courses.

Never an Application Fee

Apply For Free

Learn from Leaders

Learn from Leaders

PhD and MS in Wildlife and Fisheries Science and BS in Fisheries and Wildlife

Dr. Brent Bibles
Global Expert in Ornithology, Land Management, and Wildlife

Learn More About Dr. Bibles

Dr. Brent Bibles
Global Expert in Ornithology, Land Management, and Wildlife

Dr. Brent Bibles is Professor of Wildlife Biology at Unity Environmental University. He received a Ph.D. and M.S. in Wildlife and Fisheries Science from the University of Arizona and BS in Fisheries and Wildlife from Utah State. Brent has been involved in wildlife management since the 1980’s and is a well-respected expert in the field. Besides working in academia, he has worked for state wildlife and federal land management agencies. He is primarily an ornithologist but works with all taxa. He has worked with several threatened or endangered species, most recently the Mexican Spotted Owls and black-footed ferrets.

Dr. Bibles is an excellent teacher and works at delivering courses using question-driven instruction. His contribution to the Sustainable Natural Resource Management track of the MS in Professional Science is to add his management experience, quantitative abilities, and student-focused teaching style to the curriculum.

Learn from Leaders

Ph.D. in Natural Resource Sciences

Erim Gomez
Global Expert in Amphibian and Freshwater Ecology

More Info

Erim Gomez
Global Expert in Amphibian and Freshwater Ecology

Dr. Erim Gómez is a Distance Education faculty member at Unity Environmental University and comes to us with 21 years of conservation, environmental, and Wildlife biology experience. In addition to teaching at Unity, Gómez is a faculty member in one of the nation’s top Wildlife Biology programs. He holds a teaching appointment in the Department of Ecosystem and Conservation Science, in the W.A. Franke College of Forestry and Conservation at the University of Montana. He is a past award winner of the Bullitt Environmental Leadership Fellowship ($100,000) and now serves on the Board of the Bullitt Foundation. Gómez used the fellowship to conduct conservation research on Palouse Prairie amphibians in Eastern Washington. He has formerly served as Co-Director of Southern Oregon University’s Ecology Center of the Siskiyous (now the Environmental Resource Center). While at SOU, he co-led an effort to pass a green-tags initiative to offset the university’s carbon footprint. He served on the board of Oregon Stewardship and board of the Society of Northwestern Vertebrate Biology. Gómez holds a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies from Southern Oregon University (2007) and Masters (2011) and Ph.D. in Natural Resource Sciences from Washington State University (2020). Gómez is a naturalist at heart and thus has eclectic research interests, including the conservation of endangered species, the ecology and sustainability of freshwater ecosystems, and amphibians and freshwater fish. He is willing to serve on graduate student committees with Unity students or others.

Gómez is a first-generation college graduate and proud of his parent’s farm working and immigrant roots. Gómez is devoted to encouraging students from under-represented groups to pursue higher education, particularly the sciences. In service of this goal, Gómez frequently gives presentations to students and their parents. He often enjoys giving these presentations in Spanish to connect with LatinX communities. He also offers educational workshops and mentors undergraduate LatinX student groups and students from the Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science. Gómez hopes to create applied ecological research while helping diversify the conservation and environmental field.

In his spare time he loves to hike beautiful western Montana, take photos of wildlife, float rivers and Latin dance.

Learn from Leaders

M.S. Degree in Forestry

Rebecca Means
Global Expert in Amphibians and Temporary Wetlands

More Info

Rebecca Means
Global Expert in Amphibians and Temporary Wetlands

Rebecca Means is an ecologist and science educator with a passion for backpacking, travel, and food. She has a B.S. degree in both Wildlife Ecology and Biology from Virginia Tech and an M.S. degree in Forestry from Texas A&M. As Director of the Coastal Plains Institute, Rebecca has worked with wildlife ranging from fire ants to the Florida panther but her expertise is with the amphibians that inhabit temporary wetlands. Her current focus is on involving the public in conservation and research efforts through citizen science training and research site field trips.

Have Questions About the Master of Science in Wildlife Ecology and Management?

Wildlife Ecology and Management is the science of understanding, managing, and preserving wildlife populations and their natural habitats. This field combines ecological principles with conservation strategies to maintain biodiversity and ecosystem health. As a wildlife conservationist, you study the complex interactions within ecosystems, focusing on how wildlife species interact with each other and their environment. You assess the impacts of human activities on these natural systems and develop plans to mitigate negative effects, ensuring sustainable coexistence between humans and wildlife.

The MS in Wildlife Ecology and Management provides students with an advanced understanding of ecological concepts and essential research skills necessary for wildlife management. Students study the latest scientific advances in wildlife ecology, conservation biology, landscape ecology, and research methodologies. Through interactive coursework, students develop skills in spatial and quantitative analysis, experimental design, data interpretation, conflict-resolution and decision-making, communication, and how to effectively engage with diverse audiences interested in wildlife, ecology conservation, and management.

The timeframe for completion is up to you! Enroll in 6 credits per term and complete the program within just one year. Alternatively, opt for part-time study by taking one course at a time. Whichever path you choose, we’re here to support your educational journey every step of the way.

Research Core: 15 credits

RSCH 510 Research Fundamentals
MATH 510 Tools and Technologies for Data Analysis
MATH 525 Quantitative Research Design and Statistics
GISC 505 GIS & Remote Sensing for Environmental Solutions
RSCH 610 Research Communication

Major Program Core: 15 credits

SNRM 505 Human Dimensions of Wildlife Management
SNRM 507 Wildlife Ecology and Management
SNRM 510 Landscape Ecology
SNRM 515 Conservation Ecology
SNRM 650 Wildlife Research Techniques

For course requirements and a better look into your program, view our full course catalog. Then apply online for free to get started.

The Master of Professional Science (MPS) is a graduate degree designed to combine scientific knowledge with practical skills relevant to the workforce. Unlike traditional science degrees, the MPS emphasizes hands-on experience and professional development, preparing students for careers that require both expertise in science and the ability to apply that knowledge in real-world contexts. MPS programs focus on a range of skills that are directly applicable to the workplace:

Project Management: Students learn to plan, execute, and manage projects, often in scientific or environmental settings.
Communication: Emphasis is placed on effectively communicating complex scientific ideas to diverse audiences, including policymakers, stakeholders, and the general public.
Policy Analysis: Students gain the ability to understand and analyze policies related to their field, making them valuable assets in governmental and organizational decision-making processes.
Technical Proficiency: Students develop a range of specialized skills and techniques relevant to their discipline, such as animal training, conservation advocacy, environmental monitoring, or other tools essential to their field.

The MS degree is a traditional graduate program focused on deepening scientific understanding through research and academic study.

Still Deciding?

Build a Career in Wildlife Ecology and Management