Master of Science in Biodiversity Conservation and Management

To be eligible for the Master of Science in Biodiversity Conservation and Management, or any of the certificate programs, students must meet the following requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree, in any discipline, from an accredited university (min. 3.0 GPA).

Students with a GPA of less than 3.0 may be considered for provisional admission and should contact an enrollment adviser for more information.

Aptitude tests, such as the GRE, are not required for admission.

If you are applying to the Master of Science in Biodiversity Conservation and Management, you will also need to submit the following application materials:

• official college transcripts*,
• your resume,
• two letters of recommendation (professional or academic) using the letter of evaluation form, and
• a personal statement of up to 1,000 words describing the reasons behind your decision to pursue this degree.

*If you are applying to the any of the certificate programs you will only need to submit official college transcripts (note: if you completed your bachelor’s degree at UW-Green Bay you do not have to submit official transcripts).

Campuses may waive some of these requirements as part of the comprehensive application process.

International Guidelines

This program welcomes online students from around the world. Online students do not qualify for an F-1 Student Visa to travel to the U.S., but instead can participate in our online courses remotely. If your native language is not English and/or you attended school outside of the U.S., you will likely need to provide proof of English language proficiency and an official translation or evaluation of academic transcripts. Requirements will vary based on a student’s academic history and home campus policies. For guidance about these requirements and how they apply to your specific situation, contact the UW-Green Bay graduate admissions office.

If you would like to apply as an International Student for an on-campus program in the UW System please refer to these resources through UW-HELP.

Application Deadline

All application materials need to be completed two weeks prior to the semester start to be considered for admission.

Are there specific enrollment/start times?

You may start the Master of Science in Biodiversity Conservation and Management, or any of the certificate programs, at the beginning of any semester: fall, spring, or summer. Fall semester begins in early September, spring semester in late January, and summer semester in early June.

How to Apply

While you are free to apply on your own, many prospective students find it helpful to speak with an enrollment adviser first.

Please request electronic transcripts, if this service is offered by your previous school(s), to be sent directly to the admissions email. Electronic transcripts are usually delivered more quickly than physical copies sent by mail.

11 courses. 31 credits. 100% online.

Courses in the Biodiversity Conservation and Management program focus on the human aspect of conservation issues, and develop skills and knowledge in conservation ecology, data analytics and visualization, spatial mapping, emerging conservation technologies, conservation research and monitoring, policy implementation, conservation leadership and community engagement.

To earn the Master of Science in Biodiversity Conservation and Management (MS), students must complete all eleven courses (31 credits).

• Nine courses (3 credits per course)
• Capstone prep course (1 credit)
• Capstone project course (3 credits)

In the capstone course, students gain valuable, practical experience through a fieldwork project. Students may be able to complete the project with their current employer, or arrange for project work with an external organization.

Courses and certificates can be taken in any sequence, with the exception of the capstone prep and project courses, which are typically taken in the final semester once all program courses have been completed.

How long will it take to earn my degree or certificate?

Courses in the Biodiversity Conservation and Management program are offered all three semesters in rotation. Completion time depends on how many courses you take during a semester and whether you attend all three semesters. Students in the program take, on average, 1-2 courses per semester. It is possible to complete a certificate in one year. The program gives you the flexibility to formulate a completion plan with your academic advisor that takes into account time constraints such as work and personal obligations.

Course availability for the Biodiversity Conservation and Management program varies each fall, spring, and summer, and is subject to change due to fluctuating enrollment. If you are a current student, please consult with your campus adviser prior to registration.

Program indicators appear after each course title in the course schedule, as follows:

• Master of Science in Biodiversity Conservation and Management (MS)
• Biodiversity and Conservation Science (BCS)
• Conservation Data Management and Analysis (DMA)
• Conservation Leadership, Policy, and Management (LPM)
• Foundations of Biodiversity Conservation and Management (F)

The Master of Science in Biodiversity Conservation and Management was developed with advice from experts across various conservation and environmental management disciplines to prepare graduates for successful leadership roles in a variety of biodiversity conservation settings. Program outcomes are based on current standards and best practices.

Upon completion of your master’s degree, you will have achieved the following learning outcomes:

Conduct and communicate environmental research and monitoring.

• Design and implement effective methods for collecting, managing, and interpreting environmental data.
• Effectively communicate scientific information to diverse audiences and stakeholders.

Critically evaluate ethical implications and relevance of conservation initiatives through multiple lenses.

• Consider the needs of diverse communities in culturally responsible conservation practices.
• Evaluate how humans impact and are influenced by conservation and the natural world.

Interpret and comply with conservation regulations and policies.

• Consider tribal rights, treaties, and First Nations sovereignty and communities in conservation practices.
• Interpret local, state, and federal policies and regulations as they apply to conservation.

Cultivate and lead a collaborative and inclusive team representing diverse stakeholders.

• Establish and engage a cross-functional team with diverse strengths to address conservation challenges.
• Communicate information, gather feedback and build consensus to improve conservation efforts.

Design, implement and evaluate effective conservation projects.

• Develop a competitive proposal to gain support for a conservation project.
• Manage a complex project incorporating risk management, budget and personnel oversight, and outcomes assessment.
• Apply principles of adaptive management to learn from previous actions and make necessary adjustments to improve outcomes.

Integrate ecological information in conservation planning and actions.

• Use taxonomic keys and other resources to identify taxa relevant to conservation projects.
• Interpret the role of the physical and biological environment in conservation planning and policy.
• Curate and manage biological collections to support conservation, education, and outreach.

Adapt and apply innovative technology and ideas to conservation challenges.

• Demonstrate familiarity with emerging technologies, ideas, and primary literature in conservation science and environmental management.
• Utilize data tools to visualize environmental data on a landscape or ecosystem scale.
• Collect, organize and analyze data using appropriate tools and techniques.

Tuition is a flat fee of $750 per credit whether you live in Wisconsin or out of state, and financial aid is available for students who qualify. Students enrolling in the certificate programs are not eligible for financial aid.

There are no additional course or program fees, however, textbooks are purchased separately and are not included in tuition. You will not pay segregated fees (fees in addition to tuition that cover the cost of student-organized activities, facility maintenance, and operations) and you will not be charged a technology fee. If software or special technology is required in one of your courses, it will be provided to you and is included in your tuition.

Financial Aid

Financial aid may be available to you as a returning adult student and is awarded by UW-Green Bay. Students in the program are eligible to apply for UW-Green Bay scholarships. Aid is also available to eligible veterans and current members of the military, for more information contact UW-Green Bay Veteran’s Services.

• Contact UW-Green Bay Financial Aid to get started.

Please check with UW-Green Bay regarding minimum credits required to qualify for financial aid as a full- or part-time student.

Ways to Pay for Your Degree

As a returning adult student, you may consider the following sources of financial aid to help with the cost of your online degree:

• Grants—award is usually based on financial need. Grants, unlike loans, generally do not have to be repaid.
• Scholarships—usually based on academic merit, financial need, or other criteria, awarded by a wide range of organizations. Scholarships do not need to be repaid.
• Loans—a loan is money you borrow and must pay back with interest. Student loans are available from the federal government, private sources such as a bank or financial institution, or other sources. Federal student loans usually have lower interest rates than private loans, and offer flexible repayment plans.
• Military benefits—aid available to eligible veterans and current members of the military.
• Tuition reimbursement—a benefit offered by companies to their employees to help pay for education. Ask your human resources department if your company offers this benefit.
• Education tax benefits—research possible tax benefits with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

Your first step when applying for federal and state financial aid is completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Federal financial aid is distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. Students who apply early have a better chance of receiving aid, including grant aid that does not have to be repaid.

Build skills in conservation science, data management, or leadership with a graduate certificate.

The Biodiversity Conservation and Management program offers flexibility to earn the master’s degree or one or more certificates, so that you can develop the conservation skills you need, when you need them, for your career. Three of the certificates are stackable—by completing all three stackable certificates plus the master’s capstone project you’ll earn the master’s degree. A foundational certificate is also offered for those seeking an introduction to the field.

Students enroll in our certificate programs for a variety of reasons, including to learn new skills that help them advance in their current field or change careers. It’s possible to complete a certificate in one year, making it a convenient option for those seeking professional development.

Each certificate is comprised of 3 courses (9 total credits) from the Master of Science in Biodiversity Conservation and Management, and all courses and credits earned in any of the certificates apply to the master’s degree program should you choose to enroll.

Biodiversity and Conservation Science Certificate

• Stackable certificate.
• You’ll focus on the principles of ecology and biodiversity, conservation planning, policy, the use of biological collections and taxonomic keys in conservation research and education, and explore approaches to conservation and land stewardship to address core conservation challenges.
• Courses: BCM 700 Conservation Ecology; BCM 725 Evolution, Biodiversity, and Conservation; BCM 745 Emerging Conservation Concepts and Technologies.

Conservation Data Management and Analysis Certificate

• Stackable certificate.
• You’ll start with an overview of research project design including tools for acquiring, managing, and presenting conservation data. Learn how to visualize, interpret, and communicate data with hands-on experience in current applications, and foundational concepts in mapping and geospatial analysis.
• Courses: BCM 705 Conservation Research and Monitoring; BCM 730 Data Analytics and Visualization; BCM 750 Spatial Analysis and Mapping.

Conservation Leadership, Policy, and Management Certificate

• Stackable certificate.
• You’ll focus on conservation project management, including grant writing, budgeting, building partnerships, cultural competency, leading diverse teams, ethics and advocacy, strategic planning, communications, and developing an understanding of treaties, laws, and policies.
• Courses: BCM 710 Conservation Design and Management; BCM 720 Human Dimensions of Conservation; BCM 740 Conservation Leadership and Community Engagement.

Foundations of Biodiversity Conservation and Management Certificate

• Foundational certificate.
• This foundational certificate provides an introduction to the field by covering topics in conservation science, data management, and leadership.
• Courses in this certificate are the first course in each of the stackable certificates (Biodiversity and Conservation Science, Conservation Data Management and Analysis, Conservation Leadership, Policy, and Management).
• All courses and credits earned in this certificate apply to the stackable certificates and master’s degree, should you choose to continue in any of the programs.
• Courses: BCM 700 Conservation Ecology; BCM 705 Conservation Research and Monitoring; BCM 710 Conservation Design and Management.