Guide To Majors
A Career Planning Tool
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Printer-friendly report for Natural Resource Conservation
Related information:
| Description of Major | Department Contacts | Change of Major Process | Graduate Study | Career Resources |
| Skills Developed | Entry-level Opportunities | Getting Experience | VT CareerLink | Post-Graduation Report |
Natural Resource Conservation: Description of Major
The Department of Forestry’s natural resources conservation major prepares students for professional careers in resource-based outdoor recreation planning and management and for teaching careers at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. The natural resources conservation major has three options: natural resources recreation, natural resources education (K–6), and natural resources science (K–12).
The natural resources recreation option prepares professionals with the skills to manage and protect the land, water, wildlife, forests, and other natural systems. Courses in the curriculum emphasize ecological and natural sciences as well as planning, tourism, business, psychology, and social sciences. An intense field experience course takes students and faculty to visit working professionals.
The natural resources education (K–6) option offers a balance of natural sciences, social sciences, and the humanities. It provides graduates with an appreciation and understanding of contemporary natural resource issues. To meet state licensure requirements for teaching, graduates must continue their studies to obtain a Master of Arts in Education.
The natural resources science (6–12) option emphasizes the natural sciences and hands-on field experience in natural resource management. The primary career path of this degree option leads students to teaching careers in middle and high schools. To meet state licensure requirements, graduates must continue their studies to obtain a Master of Arts in Education. Graduates could become qualified to teach earth science and/or agricultural education (with a natural resource emphasis) at the 6–12 grade level in Virginia public schools.
Program Areas / Concentrations / Options:
Natural Resource Recreation
Natural Resource Recreation blends natural sciences, resource management, and social science disciplines and topics. Graduates provide high quality recreation experiences to ever increasing numbers of recreationists while protecting the natural environment on which these experiences depend. The program emphasizes the human dimensions of natural resource management. This is the only program of its kind offered in the state of Virginia, and one of the few nationally, which emphasizes the natural and the social sciences. The Natural Resource Recreation major is accredited by the Society of American Foresters.
Natural Resource Science (6-12) Option
This degree option emphasizes the natural sciences and hands-on field experience in natural resource management. It provides the technical background required for many natural resource professions. The primary career path of this degree option leads students to teaching careers in middle and high schools. To meet State licensure requirements for these teaching careers, graduates of this degree option must continue their studies to obtain a Masters of Arts in Education, which is also available at Virginia Tech. With good planning, the Master degree takes about 1 year after the undergraduate degree. Graduates could become qualified to teach Earth Science and/or Agricultural Education (with a natural resource emphasis) at the 6-12 level in Virginia public schools. Students not wishing to pursue licensure for teaching or a Master’s degree will be prepared to pursue graduate studies that lead to careers in natural resource science and management.
The Center for Teacher Education describes the requirements for State licensure and the requirements of the Master's program. Graduates of Natural Resource Science (6-12) satisfy the Earth Science content required for "Science Education" (See http://www.tandl.vt.edu/scied/info/description.htm)
Natural Resources Education (K-6) Option
This degree option offers a balance of natural sciences, social sciences, and the humanities. It provides graduates with an appreciation and understanding of contemporary natural resource issues. One intended career path leads students to teaching careers in elementary schools. To meet State licensure requirements for teaching in Virginia elementary schools, graduates of this degree option must continue their studies to obtain a Masters of Arts in Education, which is also available at Virginia Tech. With good planning, the Master degree takes about 1 year after the undergraduate degree. Students not wishing to pursue licensure for teaching or a Master’s degree will be qualified to work in nature education, resource education, communication, and environmental interpretation at nature centers, parks, museums, and youth camps.
The Center for Teacher Education describes the requirements for State Licensure and the requirements of the Master's program. Graduates of Natural Resource Education (K-6) satisfy the content required for"Elementary Education" (See: http://www.tandl.vt.edu/ElEd/programs.html).