Bachelor of Science (B.S.)

Natural Resource Conservation Management

100% of students experience conservation in the real world with the natural resource conservation management's internship program. During your junior year, you'll have the chance to study in a wide variety of settings throughout Louisiana, the U.S. or even abroad.

Program Highlights

Natural Resource Conservation Management Bachelor’s Degree Program Highlights

McNeese State University’s Bachelor of Science degree program in natural resource conservation management provides you with an understanding of the sciences as they relate to the environment and natural resources. Students study plant and animal ecology, wetland delineations, wildlife techniques and more, while also receiving specialized training in water and soil testing and other ecological conservation techniques. As a natural resource conservation management major, you can also minor in agricultural sciences, environmental science or wildlife management.

Study in the Louisiana's swamps and bayous

Lake Charles is located in the heart of Southwest Louisiana, an area rich with wildlife preserves and refuges that encompass forests, parks, waterways and wetlands. McNeese’s strong connection with local scientists and wildlife managers creates opportunities for undergraduate students to use these settings as living classrooms and labs.

At a Glance

Degree Type: Bachelor of Science (B.S.)

Program Length: 4 years (120 credit hours)

Availability: in person

Program Overview

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Program overview

Explore More for Natural Resource Conservation Management Majors

Featuring academic advising, high-quality instruction, engaging classroom lectures and field experiences, the natural resource conservation management degree program at McNeese is committed to excellence with a personal touch. Other highlights of this major include:

Financial Aid and Scholarships:

The Harold and Pearl Dripps School of Agricultural Sciences offers a variety of scholarship opportunities for undergraduate students earning their bachelor’s degree in natural resource conservation management. You may also be eligible to apply for private awards, such as the Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge Scholarship and the Louisiana Association of Biologists Scholarship. Learn more from the Office of Financial Aid.

Applied Learning:

During your junior year, you’ll participate in an internship at a federal or state refuge, forest, park or other natural resource-related area. Internships provide valuable on-the-job training, work experience and the chance to make professional connections that will prepare you for your career. In the past, undergraduate students have caught and counted butterflies in New Mexico, tagged birds on Louisiana beaches, vaccinated pigs in North Carolina, packed eggs in Iowa and worked with horses in Ecuador as part of their internships.

Undergraduate Research:

Undergraduate students play an important role in supporting faculty research and graduate student projects. The work that you do as part of your undergraduate coursework could contribute or lead to larger research projects, including long-term assessments and studies, and may even lead to a professional conference presentation or publication.

Diverse Faculty:

Faculty and staff actively maintain their expertise through ongoing research and by serving on university, state and national committees in their fields of interest, including soil science, wildlife and fisheries science, urban forestry, air pollution management, hazardous materials management and environmental law.

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Natural Resource Conservation Management Bachelor’s Degree Program Concentrations

Environmental Science Education Grades 6–12

Bring your love of conservation to the classroom and become a middle or high school teacher with initial teacher certification in environmental science.

Environmental Science Education Curriculum

Careers and Opportunities

What Can You Do with a Natural Resource Conservation Management Degree?

With a bachelor’s degree in natural resource conservation management, you'll qualify for state or federal government jobs in natural resources, as well as many positions in a variety of industries such as petroleum and energy. You can also earn your master’s degree and focus on a specialized area of study.

Graduate Schools or Programs

Master of Science in Environmental and Chemical Sciences
Master of Forest Science
Master of Landscape Architecture
Master of Natural Resources
Master of Science in Marine Science
Juris Doctor in Environmental Law

Job Titles or Employers

Cameron LNG
Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality
Gulf Coast Soil and Water Conservation District
Halliburton
Lotte Chemical
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries
Pioneer Natural Resources Company
Targa Resources
USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service

Student Activities

McNeese’s 100 student clubs and organizations on campus include many groups that might appeal to natural resource conservation management students, including Ducks Unlimited, Wildlife Club, Pre-Vet Society and Collegiate FFA. You can also volunteer for research or community service, such as bird identification and banding, tree and marsh grass plantings, deer station checking, coastal and inland vegetation plantings and oiled bird recovery.

Field Experience

Join other majors in natural resource conservation management on trips to Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge, White Lake, Sam Houston Jones State Park, the Louisiana Audubon Society, Tuten Park and more. You’ll be able to observe and participate in current wildlife research being conducted by McNeese graduate students and the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.

Axiall Nature Lab

Get involved with McNeese’s Axiall Nature Lab, an outdoor education program housed on a property with diverse ecosystems. This program provides wildlife habitat and nature education programs for school and scouting groups, as well as wildlife and habitat-related research opportunities.