Conservation Law Enforcement
Bachelor of Science
PBS News Hour: Record enrollment at Unity College offering diverse learning options post-pandemic
Conserve and Protect
Natural Resources & The Environment
Ready to learn what makes a great conservation police officer, forest ranger, or fish and game warden? The B.S. in Conservation Law Enforcement offered through our Hybrid Learning format gives students a flexible and affordable way to earn a degree from America’s Environmental College—and learn the skills necessary to protect our nation’s most precious resources. Hybrid students can choose where and how to learn according to their individual preferences and ultimate career goals. As one of the country’s leading conservation law enforcement schools, Unity College will prepare you to safeguard the great outdoors.
Career Outlook
Earn your degree.
Unlock new opportunities!
Number of fish and game warden jobs in the U.S., 2018
Mean annual pay for fish and game wardens, 2018.
Number of graduates who are employed in their area of study within six months of graduation.
Number of fish and game warden jobs in the U.S., 2018
Mean annual pay for fish and game wardens, 2018.
Number of graduates who are employed in their area of study within six months of graduation.
Conservation Law Enforcement Hybrid Learning Highlights
Gain knowledge of the criminal justice system and learn how to operate as an influential professional within it.
Gain the field-based knowledge and skills necessary to work in natural environments.
Prepare for rewarding careers in the front line of efforts to ensure the sustainability of our planet.
Work with dedicated instructors online or in-person.
Access our nationwide network of contacts for internships and job opportunities.
Students have access to the Park Services Seasonal Academy training for credit.
Download the Conservation Law Enforcement Flyer
Careers in Conservation Law Enforcement
96% of Unity’s Conservation Law Enforcement students who responded to the Senior and/or Alumni Survey are employed in their area of study within six months of graduation!
The conservation law enforcement degree at Unity prepares students for both graduate study and a wide range of jobs related to resource management and environmental protection, such as:
Environmental Police Officer—These law enforcement officers protect vital state resources, including public waterways, fish, wildlife, and recreational spaces. Requirements often include earning a bachelor’s degree and serving as a trainee in a police academy. Conservation officer college programs like Unity College’s offer the perfect way to jumpstart this career.
Fish and Game Warden—Wardens patrol natural areas and enforce fishing, hunting, and boating laws. But fish and game law enforcement is about more than making sure people enjoy outdoor recreation responsibly. Wardens also educate the public, perform search and rescues, and respond to emergencies. Looking for colleges that offer game warden degrees? Look no further than Unity.
Park Ranger—Rangers provide many services in national and state parks, including law enforcement, education, and making sure visitors enjoy the outdoors safely. They also get to work in some of the nation’s most beautiful places. If you are looking for a National Park Ranger degree or forest ranger degree, learn more about the B.S. in Conservation Law Enforcement program at Unity College.
Traditional Law Enforcement Officer—Traditional police and investigators respond to emergencies, patrol areas, and investigate crimes. Many of our graduates go on to succeed in these roles. After all, programs at conservation law enforcement colleges don’t just cover environmental protection and stewardship. They teach how to enforce the law in a variety of settings.
Explore projected job growth and salary information for these and other career paths, below:
-
Traditional Law Enforcement
(State Police, Sheriffs Deputy, Local Police)
$65,000 – Average yearly salary
+5% – 10-year projected job growth -
State Conservation Law Enforcement Jobs
(Game Warden, Conservation Officer, Environmental Police, Marine Patrol)
$59,000 – Average yearly salary
+6% – 10-year projected job growth -
Federal Conservation Law Enforcement Jobs
(US Fish and Wildlife Federal Wildlife Officer/Agent/Inspector, National Park Ranger/Agent, US Forest Rangers, US Forest Wildland Firefighters, NOAA Officer/Agents)
$50,000 – Average yearly salary
+6% – 10-year projected job growth -
Federal Law Enforcement Jobs
(Customs Border Protection, FLETC, Park Police, Secret Service)
$82,000 – Average yearly salary
+3% – 10-year projected job growth -
Environmental jobs
(state parks, army corps, state conservation jobs)
$59,000 – Average yearly salary
+6% – 10-year projected job growth
Source: Burning Glass Technologies. Labor Insight™ – Accessed May 4, 2020.
Unity graduates have achieved success as state fish and game wardens; forest rangers; marine patrols; federal enforcement officers for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Park Service, the U.S. Forest Service, and the Bureau of Land Management; environmental enforcement officers for the Environmental Protection Agency and state environmental agencies; and more.
Graduates have also found success in traditional law enforcement as investigators and police officers at the local, state, and federal levels. They also appear as wardens on Animal Planet’s North Woods Law.
As a conservation law enforcement graduate, students may want to consider continuing your education online with a Master in Conservation Law Enforcement or an online Sustainable Masters of Business Administration.
Unity College Career Services offers a wide range of services to help students find–and land–their dream job.
What alumni are saying
Tyler Sirois ’19
Tyler was able to earn college credit while attending his training at the Maine Criminal Justice Academy, where he was in a class with eleven other Unity College Conservation Law graduates. Because of Unity’s flexible program, Tyler was able to graduate after only three years, saving him money and allowing him to jumpstart his career.
Looking back, he is convinced the Unity College Conservation Law Enforcement program is unique. “It is original,” he said.
What employers are saying
The Old Orchard Beach Police Department has had many Unity College students train with them, many moving on to work at over 75 federal, state, and local departments.
Apply Today
Hybrid Learning is serving current students during the 2021/22 academic year, and we are excited to begin accepting incoming students in Fall 2022.
Apply online, learn more about our hybrid learning, or contact our Unity College Recruiters.
Degree Courses
As a conservation law enforcement major, students will study and explore all the skills necessary for becoming successful in conservation and law enforcement careers:
- Crime scene investigation techniques, such as fingerprint lifting, trajectory analysis, footprint and tire tread casting, and evidence collection
- Policy procedures for the preparation and execution of search warrants
- Procedures for conducting interviews and interrogations
- Surveillance techniques
- Proper methods for handling evidence
- Participate in career-forward partnerships:
- Earn 15 credits for Basic Law Enforcement Training at the Maine Criminal Justice Academy
- Transfer credits eligible for National Park Service Seasonal Law Enforcement Training Program
- Opportunities to work for the Maine Warden Service
View the Conservation Law Enforcement Check Sheet
View the Unity College Hybrid Learning Course Catalog – Academic Year 2020-2021
View the Unity College Hybrid Learning Student Handbook – Academic Year 2020-2021
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