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Conservation specialist education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a conservation specialist. Conservation specialists usually study environmental science, business, or criminal justice. 64% of conservation specialists hold a bachelor's degree, and 12% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 355 real conservation specialist resumes to see exactly what conservation specialist education sections show.
The most common colleges for conservation specialists are the San Jose State University and the San Jose State University.
There are also many online conservation specialist courses to help get the education required to be a conservation specialist.
What education do you need to become a conservation specialist?
What degree do you need to be a conservation specialist?
- Bachelor's, 64%
- Associate, 12%
- Master's, 11%
- High School Diploma, 9%
- Other Degrees, 4%
What should I major in to become a conservation specialist?
- Business, 14%
- Criminal Justice, 5%
- General Studies, 5%
- Other Majors, 49%
Most common colleges for conservation specialists
| Conservation specialist common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| San Jose State University | 7.41% |
| University of California, Santa Barbara | 7.41% |
| West Virginia University | 7.41% |
| Duke University | 7.41% |
| University of Florida | 5.56% |
Best majors for conservation specialists
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Environmental Science | 27.3% |
| 2 | Business | 14.0% |
| 3 | Criminal Justice | 5.3% |
| 4 | General Studies | 5.3% |
| 5 | Wildlife Management | 4.7% |
Best colleges for conservation specialists
The best colleges for conservation specialists are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and Duke University.
A conservation specialist with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for conservation specialists. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become conservation specialists.
1. SUNY at Binghamton
Vestal, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$9,808
Enrollment
13,990
2. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,354
Enrollment
7,083
3. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
Minneapolis, MN • Private
In-state tuition
$14,760
Enrollment
31,451
4. Duke University
Durham, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$55,695
Enrollment
6,596
5. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
6. University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$14,184
Enrollment
30,845
7. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
8. Pennsylvania State University
University Park, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$18,454
Enrollment
40,108
9. University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Lafayette, LA • Private
In-state tuition
$9,912
Enrollment
14,245
10. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$56,225
Enrollment
19,548
20 best online courses for conservation specialists
Advertising disclosure
1. Primate Conservation
We are presently facing a potential extinction crisis for the order Primates (and many other life forms). In this course we will learn about threats to primate conservation globally. We will be using the, “Primates in Peril: The World’s 25 Most Endangered Primates 2018-2020” by Schwitzer et al. (2019) as a basis for the discussion of global primate populations. We will investigate conservation status, threats to conservations, success and failures within protecting our closest evolutionary...
2. Tropical Forest Landscapes 101: Conservation & Restoration
Conserving and restoring tropical forest landscapes offers an opportunity to address pressing environmental and social challenges. Effective conservation and restoration initiatives support multiple objectives, including ecosystem functioning, climate change mitigation and adaptation, food security, and economic growth. This seven-week course explores the technical, social, and funding aspects of this timely topic. You will learn: 1. The importance of tropical forest landscapes and the actors...
3. Design of Water Treatment Systems for Beginners
Learn how to fully design a water treatment system for small to medium scale projects...
4. Water Treatment Process Design
design water treatment& RO/NF plants, sand& multimedia filter, iron& manganese removal filter, Ion exchange DI& softener...
5. Ecology: Ecosystem Dynamics and Conservation
This course is an introduction to ecology and ecosystem dynamics using a systems thinking lens. Through a case study on Mozambique's Gorongosa National Park, learners will explore how scientists study ecosystems, and investigate the complex array of factors that inform management efforts. At the end of the course, learners will be able to grapple with real-world conservation questions, such as whether an ecosystem can recover from anthropogenic disruption and what role humans can, and should,...
6. Sustainable Urban Water Systems
The MOOC “Sustainable Urban Water Systems” aims to provide knowledge about modern and sustainable solutions for urban water management in water-sensitive cities. The focus is on stormwater control and water supply strategies for the mitigation of effects on the water cycles due to human settlements and climate change. In particular, the integration of Nature-based Solutions (NbS) into urban drainage systems, the use of alternative water resources, and the reduction of losses and waste, make...
7. ISO 9001:2015-Quality Management System Implementation & Audit
Learn how to Implement and Audit a Quality Management System as per ISO 9001: 2015...
8. Species Distribution Models with GIS & Machine Learning in R
Mapping Habitat Suitability for Conservation Using Machine Learning and GIS in R...
9. Climate Change and Water in Mountains: A Global Concern
What is climate change ? How are mountain regions affected by the evolution of water resources and their uses ? What kind of risks need to be considered ? Mountains are recognized as particularly sensitive physical environments where intense and rapid changes have in the past, and may increasingly in the future, place pressure on their resource base. In this context, a team of roughly 100 experts worked from 2008 to 2013 for the European ACQWA project (www.acqwa.ch) which was coordinated by the...
10. Sustainable Cities
This Specialization is intended for individuals and organizations interested in developing skills and strategies to create and support sustainable cities. Through these four courses, you will gain a strong understanding of the tools and concepts needed to succeed in reaching this goal. Successful case studies of smart growth applications will be evaluated and assessed for multiple cities throughout the United States. The concentration will provide students with an introduction to sustainable...
11. Project Charter Specialist (Accredited) Project Management
What is Project Charter? Components? Template? Example? Document Project Charter? Project Charter Specialist Earn PDUs...
12. Certified Lean Specialist Lean Management (Accredited)
Lean Management Lean Manufacturing Lean in Service Lean Specialist Lean Certification Lean Part 1 Earn PDUs...
13. Education on climate change: water and soil
This course delves into the connection between water, climate change, and how living organisms adapt to these shifts. It also explores concepts related to agriculture, food, and food sovereignty. Additionally, it introduces a range of online games that enhance the integration and practical application of the developing conceptual knowledge...
14. ISO 9001:2015 Quality management system auditor
Upgrade your career by learning how to implement and audit a quality management system according to ISO 9001...
15. Customer Service & Support For Customer Service Executives
Learn Customer Service Skills & Provide Excellent Customer Support, Customer Experience & How To Manage Upset Customers...
16. Salesforce Marketing Cloud Email Specialist Practice Tests
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17. ServiceNow IT Service Management (CIS - ITSM) Practice Tests
Prepare for the Service Now Certified Implementation Specialist exam in IT Service Management (CIS-ITSM)...
18. Core Spatial Data Analysis: Introductory GIS with R and QGIS
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19. Tableau Desktop Specialist Certification Practice Tests
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20. Learn Risk Management: Risk Planning in Agile and Scrum
Complete Risk Management and Risk Planning Training: Identify Project Risks, Create Risk Plan and Monitor Risks in Scrum...
Top 10 most affordable universities for conservation specialists
The most affordable schools for conservation specialists are SUNY Farmingdale, brooklyn college of the city university of new york, and california state university - dominguez hills.
If the best universities for conservation specialists are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for conservation specialists.
1. SUNY Farmingdale
Farmingdale, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,306
Cost of attendance
16,091
2. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York
Brooklyn, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,240
Cost of attendance
13,991
3. California State University - Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,942
Cost of attendance
14,469
4. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Cost of attendance
16,714
5. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
6. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
7. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
8. Florida International University
Miami, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,556
Cost of attendance
19,434
9. Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,656
Cost of attendance
21,623
10. Minot State University
Minot, ND • Private
In-state tuition
$7,064
Cost of attendance
15,576
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for conservation specialists
The hardest universities for conservation specialists to get into are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and Duke University.
Some great schools for conservation specialists are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for conservation specialists based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.
1. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
Admissions rate
4%
SAT average
1,497
2. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
3. Duke University
Durham, NC • Private
Admissions rate
9%
SAT average
1,516
4. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
5. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
13%
SAT average
1,445
6. University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, CA • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,448
7. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,420
8. New York University
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
20%
SAT average
1,419
9. Villanova University
Villanova, PA • Private
Admissions rate
29%
SAT average
1,407
10. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,513
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for conservation specialists
The easiest schools for conservation specialists to get into are Wayland Baptist University, curry college, and oklahoma wesleyan university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a conservation specialist without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for conservation specialists.
1. Wayland Baptist University
Plainview, TX • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
1,003
2. Curry College
Milton, MA • Private
Admissions rate
93%
SAT average
1,026
3. Oklahoma Wesleyan University
Bartlesville, OK • Private
Admissions rate
68%
SAT average
964
4. Oregon Institute of Technology
Klamath Falls, OR • Private
Admissions rate
96%
SAT average
1,139
5. Saint Joseph's College of Maine
Standish, ME • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,069
6. LIM College
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
83%
SAT average
1,061
7. Fresno Pacific University
Fresno, CA • Private
Admissions rate
85%
SAT average
1,053
8. Thomas More University
Crestview Hills, KY • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
1,099
9. Notre Dame College
Cleveland, OH • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
994
10. University of Baltimore
Baltimore, MD • Private
Admissions rate
78%
SAT average
1,020
Average conservation specialist salary by education level
| Conservation specialist education level | Conservation specialist salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $45,808 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $42,262 |
| Doctorate Degree | $52,064 |
Conservation specialist education FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025