Natural Resource Management (Extension), BA

Department of Urban and Environmental Planning and Policy, College of the Environment - Salish Sea Region

62-70 credits

Introduction

The NRM BA degree will provide entry-level working professionals with the real-world, interdisciplinary skills and knowledge needed for careers in natural resource and environmental management. Through academic coursework, internships and mentorships with environmental organizations, and experiential capstones, students will develop knowledge of core natural resource and environmental management, planning, and leadership concepts while acquiring hands-on experience with real-life case studies directly related to their professional interests. Students will receive in-depth training in leadership development, program planning management, economic and policy analysis, and conservation science and management. The two emphasis areas allow students to focus their studies on their academic interests and employment market needs.

Why Consider a Natural Resources Management (Extension) Major?

Do you want to make a difference in protecting the environment and the public good, as well as diversify access to resources for everyone? WWU’S College of the Environment’s BA degree in Natural Resource Management focuses on the policies and practices that make that happen. The program focuses on resource sustainability and environmental resilience, while at the same time querying positionalities and cultural-economic lenses around resource access in diverse populations and landscapes. 

The program focuses on problem solving and implementing shared visions to effect laws and policies that monitor and manage environmental and climate change. Such laws and policies protect diverse, culturally appropriate, health-driven, economically viable landscapes — in the United States and throughout the world. We are proud to offer this degree to our students and to continue our program’s strong community partnerships, worldwide, in which students apply their learning to assist communities in organizing for sustainable futures.

About the Program

This major supports students in exploring how stakeholders attempt to regulate pollution, manage (for the long-term) natural resources, protect natural spaces, and counter environmental disturbances. It emphasizes an interdisciplinary approach to solving urban problems that face communities. Students can choose an emphasis: Climate/Energy, Land Use, and Food Security.

With sustainability and climate change on the forefront of humanity’s greatest social and ethical problems, students studying natural resource management will acquire knowledge on “how” government works, and how to be most effect in solving global issues.

The program prepares students with the knowledge and skills needed to make positive changes towards a socially and environmentally just world. Graduates are prepared for professional careers in policy agencies, consulting firms, and nonprofit organizations at the local, state, and federal levels of government, as well as for advanced graduate study.

How to Declare (Admission and Declaration Process):

Applicants are instructed to complete a Direct Transfer Associates (DTA) Degree from the community college that the student is currently attending. College of the Environment - Salish Sea Region advisors and program coordinators work with advisors and faculty at partnered community colleges to advise students to take preparatory classes during their freshman and sophomore year. Once students have completed, or are completing, the Associate Transfer Degree and required courses, students may apply to the College of the Environment - Salish Sea Region and Western Washington University. Community College equivalent courses of ECON 206 or ECON 207, MATH 240, PLSC 250, or ENVS 204 must be complete with a C- or better for application to this major. ENVS 204 will be offered within the program.

Questions, contact 360-394-2756 or cenvssr@wwu.edu.

A pre-advising session should be scheduled with cenvssr@wwu.edu to determine readiness for application.

Formal application is made to Western Washington University through the Admissions Office online application process. Once admitted, students will work with a College of the Environment - Salish Sea Region program advisor to select a depth and specialization area by the end of the first fall quarter. 

Outline for Application Process:

• Make a note of the application deadline(s) for Fall Quarter admission.
  • Financial Aid Priority Deadline: January 31
  • Priority Application Deadline: March 1
  • Final Application Deadline: June 1
• Apply for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at fafsa.ed.gov; WWU School Code 003802
• Schedule a pre-advising appointment with cenvssr@wwu.edu to determine readiness for the application
• Complete both the Transfer & Post-baccalaureate for Location Program Admission application and the College of the Environment – Salish Sea Region application and submit the $60 application fee by visiting admissions.wwu.edu/apply/location-programs.
• Request an official transcript from institutions where you have earned prior college credit. If you previously attended WWU, it is not necessary to provide WWU transcripts or other transcripts previously submitted to WWU. Have the official transcript sent electronically or in a sealed envelope to:

Western Washington University Office of Admissions
Old Main 200, MS 9009 516 High Street
Bellingham, WA 98225

Grade Requirements

A grade of C- or better is required for a student’s major or minor courses, and supporting courses for majors and minors.