Conservation Law Enforcement (BS)
The proposed Bachelor of Science in Conservation Law Enforcement (CLE) at Plymouth State University aims to prepare students for careers in environmental protection, natural resource management, and law enforcement. This interdisciplinary program will integrate coursework in criminal justice, environmental science, and public policy to equip graduates with the necessary knowledge and skills to enforce conservation laws and promote sustainable resource management.
The program responds to the increasing demand for conservation law enforcement professionals due to expanding environmental challenges and evolving regulatory landscapes. Through a combination of classroom instruction, field experiences, and partnerships with state and federal agencies, students will gain practical skills in law enforcement techniques, wildlife management, and environmental protection. Graduates will be well-positioned for careers as conservation officers, park rangers, environmental investigators, and related roles.
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Major Requirements | ||
| AP 2500 | Natural History and Ecology for Adventure Educators | 3 |
| ESP 2305 | Foundations of Environmental Policy (WRCO) | 4 |
| AP 1000 | Outdoor Skills for Conservation Law | 1 |
| AP 3400 | Wilderness First Responder | 4 |
| AP 3010 | Land Search and Rescue | 3 |
| BI 3240 | Conservation (DICO,GACO) | 3 |
| CJ 3005 | Criminal Investigation | 4 |
| CJ 3450 | Technology in criminal justice (TECO,WRCO) | 4 |
| CJ 3700 | Conservation Law Enforcement | 4 |
| GE 2050 | GIS I: Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (QRCO,TECO) | 4 |
| Group A | ||
| Complete 4 credits from the following: | 4 | |
| Criminal Procedure | ||
| Criminal Law | ||
| Police and society (Group B) | ||
| Group B | ||
| Complete 10-12 credits from the following (at least 7 credits must be upper level) | 10-12 | |
| Biological Science II | ||
| Vertebrate Zoology | ||
| Freshwater Ecology | ||
| Land Conservation Techniques | ||
| Advanced Conservation Ecology | ||
| Decision Making in Environmental Management | ||
| Advanced Field Techniques Course is repeatable up to 8 credits | ||
| Group C | ||
| Complete three credits from the following: | 3 | |
| Whitewater Kayaking | ||
| Alpine Mountaineering | ||
| Lead Rock Climbing | ||
| AP 2400 | ||
| Pathways-HoME General Education | ||
| IS 1115 | Tackling a Wicked Problem | 4 |
| Writing Foundation Course: | ||
| EN 1400 | Composition | 4 |
| Quantitative Foundation: | ||
| MA | MA1500 or higher, or equivalency | 3-4 |
| Pathway Certificate * | 15-16 | |
| Additional Pathway Credits (0 if in major) | 0-9 | |
| Electives | 31-35 | |
| IS 4220 | Signature Project (INCO,INCP) | 4 |
| Total Credits | 120 | |
- *
To complete the Pathways HoME General Education program, a student must complete 24 credits of Pathways courses, including those that lead to a Pathways Certificate. 15-16 credits of a Pathway Certificate must be in a single Pathway skill and must include at-least 8 credits of upper-division courses. Students may complete the remaining 8-9 credits with Pathway classes taken inside the major (double-counting) or outside of it. Students in this major may earn multiple Pathway Certificates.
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| IS 1115 | Tackling a Wicked Problem | 4 |
| EN 1400 | Composition | 4 |
| AP 2500 | Natural History and Ecology for Adventure Educators | 3 |
| AP 1000 | Outdoor Skills for Conservation Law | 1 |
| Directions (choose from CTDI, PPDI, SSDI, SSDI) | 4 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| ESP 2305 | Foundations of Environmental Policy (WRCO) | 4 |
| MA | Mathematics Foundations | 3-4 |
| Directions (choose from CTDI, PPDI, SSDI, SSDI) | 4 | |
| Choose 1 Group A Elective Course: | 4 | |
| Criminal Procedure | ||
| Criminal Law | ||
| Police and society | ||
| Credits | 15-16 | |
| Year Two | ||
| Fall | ||
| CJ 3700 | Conservation Law Enforcement | 4 |
| GE 2050 | GIS I: Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (QRCO,TECO) | 4 |
| Directions (choose from CTDI, PPDI, SSDI, SSDI) | 4 | |
| Elective | 3-4 | |
| Credits | 15-16 | |
| Spring | ||
| CJ 3005 | Criminal Investigation | 4 |
| Directions (choose from CTDI, PPDI, SSDI, SSDI) | 4 | |
| Choose 1 Group B Elective Course: At least 7 credit hours of Group B, must be upper division | 3-4 | |
| Biological Science II | ||
| Vertebrate Zoology | ||
| Freshwater Ecology | ||
| Advanced Field Techniques | ||
| Land Conservation Techniques | ||
| Advanced Conservation Ecology | ||
| Decision Making in Environmental Management | ||
| Elective | 3-4 | |
| Credits | 14-16 | |
| Year Three | ||
| Fall | ||
| WECO | Wellness Direction | 4 |
| INCP | Integrated Capstone | 4 |
| Choose 1 Group B Elective Course: At least 7 credits of Group B Electives must be upper level | 3-4 | |
| Biological Science II | ||
| Vertebrate Zoology | ||
| Freshwater Ecology | ||
| Advanced Field Techniques | ||
| Land Conservation Techniques | ||
| Advanced Conservation Ecology | ||
| Decision Making in Environmental Management | ||
| Elective | 3-4 | |
| Credits | 14-16 | |
| Spring | ||
| AP 3400 | Wilderness First Responder | 4 |
| CJ 3450 | Technology in criminal justice (TECO,WRCO) | 4 |
| Elective | 3-4 | |
| Elective | 3-4 | |
| Credits | 14-16 | |
| Year Four | ||
| Fall | ||
| BI 3240 | Conservation (DICO,GACO) | 3 |
| Choose 1 Group B Elective Course: At least 7 credit hours of Group B Electives myst be upper division | 3-4 | |
| Biological Science II | ||
| Vertebrate Zoology | ||
| Freshwater Ecology | ||
| Advanced Field Techniques | ||
| Land Conservation Techniques | ||
| Advanced Conservation Ecology | ||
| Decision Making in Environmental Management | ||
| Elective | 3-4 | |
| Elective | 3-4 | |
| Credits | 12-15 | |
| Spring | ||
| AP 3010 | Land Search and Rescue | 3 |
| Choose 1 Group C Elective Course: Can be swapped with Group B from Fall, depending on choice of course. | 3 | |
AP 2400 |
||
| Lead Rock Climbing | ||
| Whitewater Kayaking | ||
| Alpine Mountaineering | ||
| Elective | 3-4 | |
| Elective | 3-4 | |
| Credits | 12-14 | |
| Total Credits | 112-125 | |
Graduates of the Bachelor of Science in Conservation Law Enforcement will:
1) Demonstrate an understanding of conservation laws, regulations, and enforcement strategies.
2) Apply principles of environmental science and ecology to resource management and law enforcement practices.
3) Develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills related to conservation crime investigation and public safety.
4) Gain proficiency in law enforcement techniques, including conflict resolution, report writing, and evidence collection.
5) Engage in ethical decision-making and community outreach to foster public support for conservation efforts.
6) Complete hands-on field training and internships with conservation law enforcement agencies.
Graduates of this program will be well-prepared for careers as:
1) State Conservation Officers (Fish & Game Wardens)
2) Federal Wildlife Officers (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service, Forest Service)
3) Marine Patrol and Fisheries Enforcement Officers
4) Environmental Compliance Investigators
5) Park Rangers and National Resource and Refuge Managers