Professional Science Masters in Conservation Biology

UW-Stout’s online Professional Science Master’s (PSM) degree in Conservation Biology combines flexible coursework and a diverse research focus to address the human impact on threatened and endangered species, habitats and ecosystems around the world.

Our nationally recognized faculty will train you to evaluate and understand conservation practices in ecology, biodiversity, fisheries, watershed management, native species and habitats, global climate change, environmental laws and regulations and natural resource management.

The Professional Science Master’s degree in Conservation Biology combines conservation science curriculum with a professional component designed to provide graduates with the necessary skills for a career in business, industry, government, or nonprofit agencies. The program offers opportunities in molecular ecology, water quality/limnological sciences, and fishery and wildlife science. Conservation biologists strive to preserve species diversity in fragmented habitats, reintroduce populations to native territory as part of planned management strategies, and protect native populations threatened by invasive species. Biodiversity is the Earth’s greatest nonrenewable resource. Due to increasing population size, global climate change and the substantial rise in global trade practices, conserving biodiversity at the population level, species level, or ecosystem level is one of the chief concerns of scientists. There is significant industry and agency need due to accelerated degradation of water resources, increasing population size, concerns about global climate change, the associated ecological impacts on bodies of water, and increasing demands on industry to comply with environmental laws and regulations. Blending research and theory with practice produces innovative solutions to real world problems, benefiting students, employers, and society as a whole.

Graduate Degree Career Outcomes

Go further with a graduate degree from UW-Stout. With an increasingly competitive job market, the benefits of a master’s degree can help you stand out and show your value as an employee. While it may seem daunting to become a student again, flexible delivery options and credit for experience make it easier than ever to earn an advanced degree.

Benefits of earning your advanced degree can be:

• Career Advancement – A master’s degree can make it easier to transition to more senior positions and may even be required for certain jobs and promotions.
• Increased Earning Potential – On average, employees with a bachelor’s degree earn $50,360 per year, while those with a master’s degree earn a median annual income of $68,064.
• Thirst for Knowledge – A masters degree can build on your current abilities, as well as help you gain new up-to-date skill sets or transition into a different field.
• Networking – Even if you take classes online, building relationships with your classmates and instructors can expand your professional network.

General UW-Stout Graduate School Application

All prospective graduate students at UW-Stout must follow a standard application process through our Graduate School. Beyond that, each graduate program has specific requirements that must be met to be successfully admitted to the program:

Program-Specific Admission Requirements

Eligibility

To be admitted to the P.S.M. Conservation Biology program, you must:

• Hold a bachelor’s degree in biology, environmental science or a science-related field from an accredited institution.
• Have earned a GPA of at least 3.0.

Those with a non-science related degree may be admitted if one of the three following conditions are met:

• Completion of minimum competency course(s) with a grade of B or better,
• Evidence of equivalent courses, or
• Evidence of professional knowledge in this area.