Park rangers have a wide variety of responsibilities that they can be tasked with from day to day. One morning, you could be leading a tour group around a state or national park, handing out important information about the park, and the next, you could find yourself on a search and rescue mission for some park guests who got lost while exploring. For this reason, there is a wide variety of degrees that park rangers can receive to aid them in the career. Read below to learn about some of the most popular park ranger degree choices.
Criminal justice – A Criminal Justice degree program can provide the student with a comprehensive educational background in law enforcement, corrections, and the judicial system in a way that can greatly benefit the student when later working in the field as a Park Ranger. While earning your degree you will complete courses that teach you about the ethics in the criminal justice system, leadership, theories behind criminal behavior, and data analysis, all of which will assist you as a park ranger.
Environmental Science – A degree in Environmental Science is one route that aspiring park rangers can take. Students in this program will usually be required to establish a working knowledge of the following topics: physics, statistics, economics, biology, chemistry, mathematics, and geography. Students will then take courses focusing on a select topic within environmental science. Those who complete this degree will learn valuable lessons in natural resource management, agriculture, and conservation that they can take with them as a park ranger.
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Wildlife Ecology and Management – A Bachelor Degree in Wildlife Ecology and Management will offer aspiring park rangers the opportunity to develop a firm foundation in basic science that will include biology and chemistry, while enhancing your knowledge of such critical areas as management, restoration, and conservation of wildlife.
Wildlife Science Degree – A Wildlife Science Degree can place you in an ideal situation to follow your dream of working successfully as a Park Ranger. This dynamic program offers students a wide and well-rounded education concerning the management of wildlife resources through the analysis of wildlife species. This includes species needs, habitat manipulation, ecology, and the role of wildlife in our society.
Discover online park ranger educational opportunities that are a match for you!
For more information regarding park ranger degree programs, visit our specific degree pages on Park-Ranger.org or fill out our widget to speak with a representative directly from your program of interest.
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Park Ranger Programs and Educational Opportunities
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Choose your area of study and receive free information about programs you are interested in. Park rangers are responsible for protecting our parks and wilderness areas as well as guiding and educating the public. These duties are the same across the local, state, and national levels. Park rangers pursue degrees related to parks and recreation, environmental science, as well as law enforcement and criminal justice.