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Wildlife Biology and Conservation

Wildlife Biology and Conservation

Bachelor of Science

Quick Facts

Total Credit Hours: 120-121
Time to Completion: 12-24 months*
Tuition: $448 per credit hour**

Bachelor of Science

Online Wildlife Biology and Conservation Degree

Embrace your love for nature and turn it into an exciting career with Â鶹ֱ²¥ University’s fully online Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Biology and Conservation.

In Â鶹ֱ²¥'s Wildlife Biology and Conservation program, you will learn to manage and conserve wildlife, from tracking and relocating animals to preserving endangered species and their habitats. With guidance from experienced faculty, you’ll be prepared for a variety of careers in wildlife management, environmental research or education, or for graduate study in public policy, environmental law, and wildlife and environmental sciences.

A wildlife biology degree pairs field science with the management side of the work, and Â鶹ֱ²¥'s program ends with a capstone project you design and carry out yourself. Â鶹ֱ²¥ graduates have gone on to internships and jobs with organizations including the National Park Service, the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife and the Montana Conservation Corps.

Wildlife Biology and Conservation Program Highlights

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Upcoming Start Dates

March 16, 2026

Multiple start dates throughout the year
Stop out for a term for flexibility

 

What You Will Learn

Person using binoculars.

With our ecosystems facing new challenges, understanding wildlife and their environments has never been more crucial. The program provides a comprehensive look into wildlife biology and conservation, equipping you with the knowledge and skills needed to enter the field. You will take courses in wildlife identification, habitat management, conservation biology, ecology, and wildlife techniques.

In this program, you will learn to:

  • Identify wildlife and plant species in the field and classify what you find
  • Assess habitat condition and understand how species select and use it
  • Run population surveys and estimate population size from the data you collect
  • Use GPS, spatial data and telemetry to track animals and map their range
  • Write a management plan for a species, habitat or piece of land
  • Design a conservation project, carry it out independently and defend it

Our fully online program allows you to balance studies with your personal and professional life. This flexible approach gives you more control of your education and ensures you can continue pursuing your career goals no matter what life throws at you.

Badges and Certificates

While in this program, you can also earn digital badges, which certify your expertise in a professional subject area.You can also choose from several undergraduate certificates to further specialize your education. Our Certificate in Wildlife Care and Rehabilitation, for example, complements the wildlife-focused curriculum and will give you an edge as you advance your career.

As expertise about wildlife and the environment become increasingly vital, skilled professionals in this field will only increase in demand. Join a dynamic community of passionate individuals at Â鶹ֱ²¥ University and kickstart your adventure in wildlife conservation by enrolling in our B.S. in Wildlife Biology and Conservation today!

* Based on a student transferring in between 60-90 credits. **All rates subject to change. Please see Cost and Aid for more information.

Why Â鶹ֱ²¥ Online

Start When You're Ready

 

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Multiple start dates and no set class times or locations.

View Flexible Start Dates

Experiential Learning

 

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Gain even more real-world experience.

 

Read about internship benefits

Academic Support

 

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Reach your goals with our personalized online support services.

Explore Student Support Services

Curriculum

The online Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Biology and Conservation at Â鶹ֱ²¥ University provides a thorough education in wildlife management and conservation strategies. You’ll gain insights into animal and habitat conservation, wildlife identification, habitat management, ecology, wildlife management techniques. and more. In addition to learning the foundational principles of this field of study, you'll also develop the practical, real-world skills needed to thrive in a variety of wildlife- and environment-focused careers.

You'll complete 120-121 credits across three parts: general education, major required courses and open electives. Open electives account for 30 of those credits, and you can transfer up to 90 credits toward the degree.

*Student’s curriculum will depend upon which credits are transferred.

Course Highlights

Explore some of the courses you might take as a Wildlife Biology and Conservation major:

Wildlife Techniques

This hands-on course introduces you to fundamental skills and techniques used by wildlife professionals to study and manage wild populations. Topics may include: wildlife identification, survey techniques, GPS navigation and spatial data collection, population estimation, habitat assessment, wildlife capture, aging and sexing, and wildlife telemetry.

Dendrology and Field Botany

This course explores the biology, ecology, and identification of woody and non-woody plant species within diverse ecosystems. You will study how anatomical and physiological characteristics of plants interact with environmental factors to influence their growth, distribution, and ecological roles. Emphasis will be placed on identifying and classifying trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants, while considering how plant communities provide critical habitat components for wildlife. 

Vertebrate Biology

This course explores the biology of vertebrates, emphasizing their anatomy, physiology, evolution, and ecological roles. You will examine the diversity of vertebrate groups, including fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals, with a focus on their adaptations to various environments. Topics include vertebrate evolution, behavior, and conservation, highlighting the ecological and functional importance of vertebrates in ecosystems. 

Wildlife Biology and Conservation Capstone

This course serves as the capstone for Wildlife Biology and Conservation students, allowing you to synthesize knowledge and skills gained throughout this program. You will develop and execute an independent project aligned with wildlife biology, conservation, or related fields. Project types may include research, internships, management plans, outreach initiatives, or literature reviews. You are expected to propose a project during the first week of the course, refine it with instructor guidance, and carry it out independently. The course culminates in a written thesis and an oral presentation to peers and faculty.

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Upcoming Start Dates

March 16, 2026

Multiple start dates throughout the year
Stop out for a term for flexibility

 

Your Career Begins Here


How to Apply

The admissions process breakdown

Learn How to Apply to Â鶹ֱ²¥

 


Tuition

An affordable education to help you increase your earnings potential

 

View Tuition Costs and Fees


Financial Aid

Explore ways to help cover costs of your degree

 

Learn How to Reduce Your Costs

Career Outlook for Wildlife Biology and Conservation Majors

A bachelor's degree in wildlife biology and conservation provides you with a broad range of career options, including wildlife biologists, research scientists, environmental advocates, educators and consultants. These roles are essential for safeguarding biodiversity and managing wildlife populations.

Graduates typically work for one of four kinds of employer:

  • State and federal agencies: wildlife technician, fisheries technician, refuge staff, park ranger, natural resource specialist
  • Nonprofits and land trusts: conservation associate, stewardship coordinator, outreach and education staff
  • Environmental consulting: field biologist, habitat or wetland surveyor, permitting specialist
  • Education and interpretation: naturalist, nature center educator, zoo or aquarium education staff

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is a Wildlife Biology and Conservation degree? 

A Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Biology and Conservation provides students with a foundation in understanding and managing wildlife populations and their habitats. This degree combines biological sciences and ecological principles to help prepare graduates for careers in conservation, research and environmental protection while building skills in data collection, wildlife management and habitat conservation. 

How do you get field experience in an online wildlife biology degree program?

Coursework is completed online, and much of the applied work happens through the capstone. You propose an independent project in the first week of that course, which can take the form of research, an internship, a management plan or an outreach initiative, and carry it out where you live. Ask an enrollment counselor how field experience and project placements are arranged before you enroll.

Do you need a graduate degree to work in wildlife biology?

Not to start. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, entry-level wildlife biologist positions typically require a bachelor’s degree, higher level roles often require a master’s, and leading independent research usually requires a doctorate. A wildlife biology degree gets you into technician and field positions, and the capstone gives you a research project to point to if you apply to graduate programs later.

 

 

Is Wildlife Biology and Conservation a hard major? 

This major can be challenging because it requires mastering scientific subjects such as biology, chemistry, ecology, and statistics, which demand strong analytical and problem-solving skills. However, Â鶹ֱ²¥’s flexible online format helps students balance coursework with other responsibilities by allowing them to complete classes on their own schedule. 

Is a Wildlife Biology and Conservation degree worth it? 

Yes, this degree can help prepare graduates for meaningful careers focused on protecting wildlife and ecosystems while addressing global environmental challenges. As biodiversity and conservation issues grow, demand for professionals in this field continues to rise, making it a valuable and rewarding career path. 

Faculty Spotlight

Aly McKnight, Ph.D

Image of Aly McKnight, an assistant professor and biology lab coordinator in the Â鶹ֱ²¥ University College of Science and Humanities.

Aly holds a B.A. in Zoology from Connecticut College, an M.Sc. in Wildlife and Fisheries Conservation from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, and a Ph.D. in Wildlife, Fisheries, and Conservation Biology from the University of Maine – Orono. Aly is a population biologist by training, having spent more than a decade working for the US Fish and Wildlife Service to monitor seabird and marine mammal recovery following the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill in Prince William Sound, Alaska. Her graduate research explored how environmental and community interactions combine to influence individual seabirds, and how these individual experiences scale up to drive higher level population dynamics. Aly is also deeply interested in pedagogy, particularly with respect to teaching within the STEM fields. Her yearly efforts to train field crews to survive and succeed in the rugged and unforgiving Alaskan wilderness contributed greatly to her core educational philosophy of “learning by doing.” Prior to working at Â鶹ֱ²¥, Aly served for a number of years as an Associate Professor of Wildlife and Fisheries Management at Unity College in Unity, Maine.

Transfer Made Easy

You're not alone. Hundreds of students transfer to Â鶹ֱ²¥ each year, some with just a few college credits, and others looking to transform an Associate's degree to a Bachelor’s or a Master’s. Best of all, you can transfer up to 90 credits toward your undergraduate degree or nine credits toward your graduate degree. We’ll be with you every step of the way to ensure you’re more than ready for the rewarding future you have in mind.

Whether you are transferring from a community college, looking to maximize your transfer credits, or trying to find an affordable school, Â鶹ֱ²¥ Online is a great choice.

Transfer Up To 90 credits
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Â鶹ֱ²¥ University participates in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements.

For more information

Name
 Phone and Email Address
Online Enrollment Counselor Online Enrollment Counselor

 207.992.1972
online@husson.edu		 Peabody Hall
1 College Circle
Bangor, Maine 04401