Water, Wetlands, and Marine Resources Management
Overview
Programs in water, wetlands, and marine resources management teach people to manage freshwater and saltwater resources.Water, wetlands, and marine resources management programs include topics such as:
- Water supply logistics
- Water conservation and use
- Flood control
- Wastewater management
- Aquatic and marine ecology
- Aquatic and marine life conservation
- Biology
- Land use planning
Internships
Internships allow students to develop skills at companies or organizations. Some water, wetlands, and marine resources management programs require students to complete an internship.
Schools
Community colleges and other two-year schools offer associate degree programs in water, wetlands, and marine resources management. An associate degree usually takes two years to complete. After earning an associate degree students can transfer to a college or university for further study.
Few colleges and universities offer bachelor's degrees in water, wetlands, and marine resources management. Several programs are part of larger natural resources, oceanography, or environmental studies departments. A bachelor's degree usually takes about four years of full-time study.
Several universities offer graduate degrees in water, wetlands, and marine resources management. A master's degree typically requires two years of study beyond a bachelor's degree. Doctoral (PhD) degree programs usually require two or more years of study beyond the master's degree.
See schools that offer this program.
Related Educational Programs
- Botany
- Conservation Biology
- Ecology
- Entomology
- Environmental Biology
- Environmental Science
- Environmental Studies
- Fisheries Sciences and Management
- Hydrology and Water Resources Science
- Marine Biology
- Natural Resources Conservation
- Natural Resources Policy and Management
- Wildlife Biology
Related Careers
Careers Directly Related to this Program of Study
Other Careers Related to this Program of Study
- Agricultural Engineers
- Biologists
- Civil Engineers
- Natural Sciences Managers
- Park Naturalists
- Science Technicians
- Water Treatment Plant Operators
- Zoologists
Program Admission
You can prepare for this program by taking courses in high school that prepare you for college. This typically includes four years of English, three years of math, three years of social studies, and two years of science. Some colleges also require two years of a second language.
Below is a list of high school courses that will help prepare you for this program of study:
- Algebra
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Earth Science
- Environmental Science
- Geometry
- Natural Resources Management
- Physical Science
- Trigonometry
- Wildlife Management
Graduate Admissions
Admission to graduate programs is competitive. You need a bachelor's degree, good grades, and good test scores.
Additional requirements at some schools include:
- Graduate Record Exam (GRE) General
- Graduate Record Exam (GRE) Biology
- Undergraduate degree or significant course work in ecology, oceanography, or environmental studies
- Letters of recommendation
- Personal statement
Typical Course Work
Program Courses
This program typically includes courses in the following subjects:
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Ecology
- Economics
- Endangered Species
- Fisheries Science
- Marine Biology
- Microbiology
- Natural Resource Management and Conservation
- Oceanography
- Political Science
- Recreation Management
- Safety Practices
- Species Management
- Water Resources
- Watershed Hydrology
- Wetlands Management
- Wildlife Science
Graduate Program Courses
Graduate study in this field typically includes:
- Required courses
- Thesis (master's degree)
- Preliminary exams (doctoral degree only)
- Dissertation and dissertation defense (doctoral degree)
Things to Know
Many programs encourage you to volunteer with local parks, nature organizations, and government environmental agencies.
People with degrees in water, wetlands, and marine resources management have many employment options. You can work for government agencies, including the Environmental Protection Agency. Or you can work for local, state, and national parks.
Schools
East Side Area
Walla Walla Community College
- Watershed Management
King-Snohomish Area
Green River College
- Natural Resources--Water Quality
University of Washington - Seattle
- Environmental and Forest Sciences--Graduate Program
- Quantitative Ecology and Resource Management
Spokane Area
Eastern Washington University
- Wetlands Science and Management
West Side Area
Skagit Valley College
- Environmental Conservation--Advanced Wetland Delineation
- Environmental Conservation--Basic Wetland Delineation
- Environmental Conservation--Marine Emphasis
Western Washington University
- Environmental Science--Freshwater & Terrestrial Ecology Emphasis
- Environmental Science--Freshwater Ecology
- Environmental Science--Marine and Estuarine Science
- Environmental Science--Marine Science Emphasis