Conservation Law Enforcement (B.S.)

Conservation Law Enforcement (B.S.)
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Protect natural resources. Serve the public.

Prepare for a career that brings together environmental stewardship, public safety, and the law. 

Conservation law enforcement officers help protect wildlife, natural resources, public lands, and the people who enjoy them. Plymouth State’s Bachelor of Science in Conservation Law Enforcement prepares you for this specialized work through an interdisciplinary combination of criminal justice, environmental science, and public policy. 

You will study law enforcement practices, wildlife and natural resource management, environmental protection, and the laws and policies that govern the use of public lands and resources. Classroom learning, field experiences, and connections with state and federal agencies will help you develop the practical skills and professional judgment needed to respond to environmental violations, support sustainable resource management, and serve the public. 

Learning Experience and Program Highlights 

  • Interdisciplinary coursework in criminal justice, environmental science, and public policy  
  • Outdoor skills developed specifically for conservation law enforcement  
  • Field-based learning in ecology, conservation, and natural resource management  
  • Training in criminal investigation, evidence collection, and law enforcement technology  
  • Wilderness First Responder and land search and rescue training  
  • Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for mapping and resource management  
  • Opportunities to study wildlife, freshwater ecology, land conservation, and environmental decision-making  
  • Hands-on field training and internship experiences with conservation law enforcement agencies  
  • Partnerships with state and federal agencies  
  • Outdoor electives such as whitewater kayaking, alpine mountaineering, and rock climbing 

 

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Connect with us at School of Human and Public Service via Email: Human.and.PublicService@plymouth.edu

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Curriculum & Requirements

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Course Title Credits
Major Requirements
AP 2500Natural History and Ecology for Adventure Educators3
ESP 2305Foundations of Environmental Policy (WRCO)4
AP 1000Outdoor Skills for Conservation Law1
AP 3400Wilderness First Responder4
AP 3010Land Search and Rescue3
BI 3240Conservation (DICO,GACO)3
CJ 3005Criminal Investigation4
CJ 3450Technology in criminal justice (TECO,WRCO)4
CJ 3700Conservation Law Enforcement4
GE 2050GIS I: Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (QRCO,TECO)4
Group A
Complete 4 credits from the following:4
CJ 2045
Criminal Procedure
CJ 2090
Criminal Law
CJ 2025
Police and society (Group B)
Group B
Complete 10-12 credits from the following (at least 7 credits must be upper level) 10-12
BI 1120
Biological Science II
BI 2040
Vertebrate Zoology
BI 3260
Freshwater Ecology
ESP 4305
Land Conservation Techniques
ESP 4310
Advanced Conservation Ecology
ESP 4325
Decision Making in Environmental Management
ESP 3510
Advanced Field Techniques Course is repeatable up to 8 credits
Group C
Complete three credits from the following:3
AP 3410
Whitewater Kayaking
AP 3810
Alpine Mountaineering
AP 3310
Lead Rock Climbing
AP 2400
Pathways-HoME General Education
IS 1115Tackling a Wicked Problem4
Writing Foundation Course:
EN 1400Composition4
Quantitative Foundation:
MAMA1500 or higher, or equivalency3-4
Pathway Certificate *15-16
Additional Pathway Credits (0 if in major)0-9
Electives31-35
IS 4220Signature Project (INCO,INCP)4
Total Credits120
*

To complete the Pathways HoME General Education program, a student must complete 24 credits of Pathways courses, including those that lead to a Pathways Certificate. 15-16 credits of a Pathway Certificate must be in a single Pathway skill and must include at-least 8 credits of upper-division courses. Students may complete the remaining 8-9 credits with Pathway classes taken inside the major (double-counting) or outside of it. Students in this major may earn multiple Pathway Certificates.  

 
 

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
FallCredits
IS 1115 Tackling a Wicked Problem 4
EN 1400 Composition 4
AP 2500 Natural History and Ecology for Adventure Educators 3
AP 1000 Outdoor Skills for Conservation Law 1
Pathway Course 4
 Credits16
Spring
ESP 2305 Foundations of Environmental Policy (WRCO) 4
MAMathematics Foundations 3-4
Pathway Course 4
Choose 1 Group A Elective Course: 4
CJ 2045
 Criminal Procedure
CJ 2090
 Criminal Law
CJ 2025
 Police and society
 Credits15-16
Year Two
Fall
CJ 3700 Conservation Law Enforcement 4
GE 2050 GIS I: Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (QRCO,TECO) 4
Pathway Course 4
Elective 3-4
 Credits15-16
Spring
CJ 3005 Criminal Investigation 4
Pathway Course 4
Choose 1 Group B Elective Course: At least 7 credit hours of Group B, must be upper division 3-4
BI 1120
 Biological Science II
BI 2040
 Vertebrate Zoology
BI 3260
 Freshwater Ecology
ESP 3510
 Advanced Field Techniques
ESP 4305
 Land Conservation Techniques
ESP 4310
 Advanced Conservation Ecology
ESP 4325
 Decision Making in Environmental Management
Elective 3-4
 Credits14-16
Year Three
Fall
Pathway Course 4
INCPIntegrated Capstone 4
Choose 1 Group B Elective Course: At least 7 credits of Group B Electives must be upper level 3-4
BI 1120
 Biological Science II
BI 2040
 Vertebrate Zoology
BI 3260
 Freshwater Ecology
ESP 3510
 Advanced Field Techniques
ESP 4305
 Land Conservation Techniques
ESP 4310
 Advanced Conservation Ecology
ESP 4325
 Decision Making in Environmental Management
Elective 3-4
 Credits14-16
Spring
AP 3400 Wilderness First Responder 4
CJ 3450 Technology in criminal justice (TECO,WRCO) 4
Pathway Course 4
Elective 3-4
Elective 3-4
 Credits18-20
Year Four
Fall
BI 3240 Conservation (DICO,GACO) 3
Choose 1 Group B Elective Course: At least 7 credit hours of Group B Electives myst be upper division 3-4
BI 1120
 Biological Science II
BI 2040
 Vertebrate Zoology
BI 3260
 Freshwater Ecology
ESP 3510
 Advanced Field Techniques
ESP 4305
 Land Conservation Techniques
ESP 4310
 Advanced Conservation Ecology
ESP 4325
 Decision Making in Environmental Management
Pathway Course 4
Elective 3-4
Elective 3-4
 Credits16-19
Spring
AP 3010 Land Search and Rescue 3
Choose 1 Group C Elective Course: Can be swapped with Group B from Fall, depending on choice of course. 3
AP 2400
AP 3310
 Lead Rock Climbing
AP 3410
 Whitewater Kayaking
AP 3810
 Alpine Mountaineering
Elective 3-4
Elective 3-4
 Credits12-14
 Total Credits120

Graduates of the Bachelor of Science in Conservation Law Enforcement will:

1) Demonstrate an understanding of conservation laws, regulations, and enforcement strategies.
2) Apply principles of environmental science and ecology to resource management and law enforcement practices.
3) Develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills related to conservation crime investigation and public safety.
4) Gain proficiency in law enforcement techniques, including conflict resolution, report writing, and evidence collection.
5) Engage in ethical decision-making and community outreach to foster public support for conservation efforts.
6) Complete hands-on field training and internships with conservation law enforcement agencies.

Graduates of this program will be well-prepared for careers as:

1) State Conservation Officers (Fish & Game Wardens)
2) Federal Wildlife Officers (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service, Forest Service)
3) Marine Patrol and Fisheries Enforcement Officers
4) Environmental Compliance Investigators
5) Park Rangers and National Resource and Refuge Managers

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