Online Forestry Degree Programs

For many people, working in the great outdoors seems like a dream. With an online forestry degree, this dream can become a reality.

A forestry degree online provides a gateway to exciting, fulfilling careers. You could become a forester, conservation scientist, conservation worker, or wildlife biologist. These degrees can open a world of opportunity for aspiring conservation workers, foresters, and wildlife biologists.

ARTICLE NAVIGATION:

• Online Forestry Degree Programs: Diploma | Certificate | Associate | Bachelor | Graduate Certificate | Master’s
• Accreditation for Online Forestry Degrees
• Can You Get a Forestry Degree Online?
• Licensure & Certification for Forestry Experts
• Career Outlook with a Forestry Degree Online
• Expected Salary for Forestry Careers

Diploma

Students with a high school diploma or GED who want to enter a forestry career should consider a college diploma. These online forestry programs can lead to jobs as forest and conservation workers. They can be completed quickly, usually in less than one year of study. The Wildlife and Forestry Conservation Diploma from Penn Foster, for example, can be completed in as little as five months. The average completion time is eight months.

These programs provide basic education for entry-level work in forestry, conservation, and urban forestry. Graduates can find jobs with forest departments, parks and recreation departments, or commercial arborist services.

Certificate

Online forestry certificates help students learn about subjects like fish, wildlife, and public land management. They allow outdoor enthusiasts to launch a forestry career in less time and, in most cases, at a lower expense than full degree programs.

Certificates are one of the fastest education options. For example, the programs from the American Public University System only require 18 credit hours. These programs can lead to careers as forest and conservation workers.

While they cover some science topics, these certificates largely focus on the policy and management of natural resources and public land. Topics include official practices, state and federal agencies, and management strategies.

Associate

An online associate’s degree in forestry can focus on topics such as wildlife science or urban forest management. Graduates can pursue entry-level positions in forestry, city parks departments, and arborist services. Graduates of wildlife programs may be able to apply this education towards a career as a game warden, although advanced training and further education are required.

Students only need a high school diploma or GED to apply to an online forestry degree at the associate level. Degrees are available fully online and require at least 60 credit hours to complete. The costs are reasonable. The accredited online programs in our database run between about $10,000 to $15,000 for total tuition and fees.

Bachelor

A bachelor’s degree is the entry-level education for many forestry, conservation, and wildlife careers. This includes the position of a forester, as well as park rangers, wildlife biologists, and zoologists. These online forestry degrees require four or five years of study and at least 120 credit hours. Some focus on areas such as wildlife management, parks management, or conservation. Costs for accredited programs online range from $34,500 at the low end to $68,400 for the highest-priced option.

While these programs come from accredited schools, some carry programmatic approval as well. For example, the Parks & Recreation Management degree from Northern Arizona University is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Parks, Recreation, Tourism and Related Professions (COAPRT). This is a 100% online degree that allows students to enter forestry and wildlife careers.

Graduate Certificate

A graduate certificate requires a bachelor’s degree for admission. Current or aspiring conservation employees can use these programs to expand their knowledge in a specific area. For example, the certificate from Auburn University focuses on the science and engineering of pulp and paper. This degree is also designed for a seamless transfer into a master’s degree. Other focus areas include urban forestry, conservation, forest health, carbon science, and fisheries management.

Graduate certificates vary in size, but most take a year or less to complete. The Wildlife Management program from Oregon State University requires 18 credit hours. The Wildlife Forensic Sciences & Conservation program from the University of Florida, meanwhile, requires 15 credit hours.

Master’s

Forestry and conservation jobs rarely require a master’s degree, but it can boost you into higher-level roles. They enhance a student’s expertise in a specific area such as ecological restoration, geomatics, or wildlife biology. Online forestry degrees are ideal for anyone who wants to further their knowledge of forestry and conservation.

A master’s degree typically takes three years to complete. The Master of Science in Wildlife and Fisheries Biology from Clemson University, for example, requires 30 credit hours.

These degrees can be completed entirely online. Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree in forestry, conservation, or a related field. In-state tuition for accredited master’s degrees in forestry online range from $13,000 to $25,000. Note that some schools charge higher rates to out-of-state students, regardless of whether they will study in-person or online. Other schools, however, charge one online rate to all students. Be sure to check each school’s tuition policies.

Accreditation is a review of colleges and programs. It is an important aspect of post-secondary education. Groups approved by the U.S. Department of Education accredit entire schools. This process is known as institutional accreditation. Regional groups like the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) provide this type of approval.

There is also a system for accrediting specific programs. Programmatic accreditation ensures that programs meet the academic needs of that industry or field of study.

For forestry degrees, the largest group that provides programmatic accreditation is the Society of American Foresters. This society accredits programs in forestry, urban forestry, natural resources, and forest technology.

Online forestry degrees do not have accreditation from the Society of American Foresters. Graduates of these programs, however, are still eligible for licensing. Licensing may require additional steps with non-SAF-accredited degrees. For example, graduates of non-SAF-accredited degrees need to complete two exams for a Maine forester license. Graduates with an SAF-accredited degree only need to complete one test.

Some online forestry degrees do have accreditation from other groups. The BS in Parks & Recreation Management from Northern Arizona University, for example, is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Parks, Recreation, Tourism and Related Professions (COAPRT). All of the degrees in our database hold institutional accreditation from one of the regional or national bodies.

Resources:

• SAF - Accreditation

Possibly. Licensing is only required in 15 states, so many foresters will not need a license. In this case, an online forestry degree will allow a graduate to become a forester.

Where licensing is required, forestry degrees online may meet licensing requirements. Some states will accept an education approved by the Society of American Foresters (SAF).

Some degrees can meet requirements even if they do not have accreditation from the SAF. However, the programs must be forestry or related natural resources degrees that meet specific guidelines set by the SAF. While foresters in certain states may need additional education, these degrees create access to certification through the SAF.

This is one of the more complex accreditation-certificate-licensing situations. Each state has different requirements. It’s best to consult your state licensing and registration board for details.

Resources:

• SAF - State Licensure

While conservation workers do not need licensing, many states require foresters to have a license. The following states require licensing:

• Alabama
• Arkansas
• California
• Connecticut
• Georgia
• Maine
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Mississippi
• New Hampshire
• North Carolina
• South Carolina
• Vermont
• West Virginia

In areas where licensing is required, you often must pass SAF exams as part of the process. States do not have their own tests. Instead, they use the SAF for licensing tests.

To understand the process better, let’s take a look at how a forester becomes licensed in Maine:

1. First, complete the education requirements: Applicants need a bachelor’s or associate’s in forestry or natural resources. Applicants who graduate from a non-SAF-accredited program can take the exams after completing an internship.
2. Then gain professional experience: Applicants with a bachelor’s degree need two years of experience. Those with an associate’s degree must have four years of experience.
3. Next, apply to sit for the test: Applicants can apply for a license online. The fee for testing is $70. There is also a $21 fee for background checks.
4. Finally, pass the exam: Maine uses the SAF to provide licensing tests. It has two parts, including 150 questions about forestry and 30 questions specific to Maine. If the applicant has an SAF-accredited degree, they only need to take the Maine-specific test. Those without an SAF-accredited degrees must take both parts. You must score 70% or higher to pass.
5. Once the exam is completed, the SAF will send the results to the state of Maine. Assuming a student passes, they can now be licensed as a forester. This allows them to perform tasks like developing forest management plans and supervising forest usage on public and private lands.

In addition to licensing, conservation workers and foresters can complete voluntary certification through programs like the Society for Range Management and the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).

Resources:

• SAF - Requirements for Maine Certified Forester and Candidate Certified Forester
• Maine Board of Licensure of Foresters
• Forest Stewardship Council
• Society for Range Management

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) expects most forestry positions to see growth generally on pace with the total job market. Between 2021 and 2031, the expected growth for all occupations is 5%. The expected growth for foresters and conservation scientists is 7%, just over the national rate. Foresters can expect higher demand due to an increased need for wildfire prevention.

Conservation workers will see a slight decline in jobs. In 2021, there were 13,100 people working in this position, but by 2031 that number should drop to 12,700, a decline of 3%. The decline is expected because improved technology will reduce the need for certain tasks, such as identifying trees, which can be done with remote technology. However, states with wildfire risks could see an expanded need for these professionals.

Wildlife biologists are expected to grow by 1%, which is below the predicted national average. Demand will likely be limited due to budget restrictions. The need for experts in biodiversity, however, could help sustain this occupation.

Resources:

• BLS - Conservation Scientists and Foresters
• BLS - Forest and Conservation Workers
• BLS - Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists

Few people enter a career in forestry, wildlife, or conservation for salary alone. However, this field does create decent earning potential for experienced and educated professionals.

Conservation scientists and foresters, who need bachelor’s degrees, have a median annual salary of $63,750. This is roughly $18,000 more than the median for all occupations, which sits at $45,760. Conservation scientists working for the federal government earn the most on average. Their annual income sits at $77,560. Those working for state governments can expect to earn $62,980. Meanwhile, foresters working for the federal government have a median income of $67,660. Altogether, the top 10% of conservation scientists and foresters earn more than $100,000 per year.

Forest and conservation workers have a median salary of $30,550. However, the academic requirements are low. They only need a high school diploma and moderate training for their careers. This position is often used to gain entry-level experience. Workers often move up into careers as foresters and conservation technicians with further education.

If you have always dreamed about a career working outdoors, a forestry degree online may be perfect for your future. From short certificates to master’s degrees, you’ll find the online forestry program you need. Visit GetEducated.com and submit your information today.