2023-2024

Conservation Ecology, Graduate Certificate

School of Earth and Sustainability

College of the Environment, Forestry, and Natural Sciences

The Conservation Ecology Graduate Certificate program at NAU provides a means for early- and mid-career professionals to gain exposure and competence in the theory and practice of conservation ecology. The program is designed for environmental professionals who wish to briefly return to academia to upgrade or refine their skills in interdisciplinary conservation sciences. These skills may then be put to use through work for government agencies, for tribal governments, or for non-profit and for-profit stewardship organizations.

This plan will not be available to new students after Summer 2024

    • Graduate certificate programs require a minimum of 12 credit hours. Many graduate certificate programs require more than 12 credit hours.
    • No more than one 400-level NAU course (3 - 4 units) may be used on a graduate certificate program.
    • No more than twenty-five percent of the units required for the certificate program may be transferred from another university.
    • A 400-level course (undergraduate course) completed at another university is not eligible for transfer credit.
    • A minimum grade point average of 3.0 must be achieved to obtain a graduate certificate. No more than three units of coursework with a Grade of "C" may be used in a certificate program.
    • A graduate student may pursue a graduate certificate concurrently with a graduate degree. Each graduate degree program must decide which, if any, certificate courses can be counted toward the graduate degree.
    • Students who are admitted to a graduate certificate program will be eligible for the official posting of the graduate certificate to their transcripts when all applicable coursework has been successfully completed and approved by the academic unit and the Graduate College.

  • Please be aware that federal financial aid is not available for some certificates if the certificate is pursued and completed as a stand-alone certificate (i.e., not completed concurrently with a degree program).  See the “Details” tab for additional information.

In addition to University Requirements:

  • Complete individual plan requirements.

Students may be able to use some courses to meet more than one requirement. Contact your advisor for details.

Minimum Units for Completion 18
Additional Admission Requirements

Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.
Fieldwork Experience/Internship Fieldwork Experience/Internship may be required by chosen emphasis or offered as an option.

Student Learning Outcomes

  • Students will understand the social and biophysical drivers of species declines and their consequences at a global scale.
  • Students will understand the methods to collect practice the collection and analyze of data to support monitoring and adaptive management of threatened species and ecosystems.
  • Students will learn the scientific principles underlying species and habitat conservation strategies including restoration, protected area establishment, conservation planning, and endangered species recovery.

Graduate Admission Information

  • The NAU graduate online application is required for all programs. Admission to many graduate programs is on a competitive basis, and programs may have higher standards than those established by the Graduate College.

    Admission requirements include the following:

    • Transcripts.
    • Undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution with a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale ("A" = 4.0), or the equivalent.


    Visit the NAU Graduate Admissions website for additional information about graduate school application deadlines, eligibility for study, and admissions policies.

    Ready to apply? Begin your application now.

    International applicants have additional admission requirements. Please see the International Graduate Admissions Policy.

Additional Admission Requirements

  • Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.

  • Conservation Management and Planning Concentration

    • A bachelor's degree in one of the following fields:
      • Social, physical, or biological sciences
      • Environmental studies
      • Landscape architecture
      • Natural resource management


    Field Research, Habitat Restoration, and Endangered Species Recovery Concentration

    • A bachelor's degree in one of the following fields:
      • Biological sciences
      • Environmental studies
      • Natural resource management
      • or a master's degree in social or physical science. 
    OR
    • A masters degree in one of the following fields:
      • Social science
      • Physical science
Certificate Requirements

  • Take the following 18 units:

    Concentration Requirements - Select One (18 units)

    • Conservation Management and Planning Concentration (18 units)
      Enrollment in this concentration requires a bachelor's degree in social, physical, or biological sciences; in environmental studies; in landscape architecture; or in a natural resource management field.

    • Field Research, Habitat Restoration, and Endangered Species Recovery Concentration (18 units)
      Enrollment in this concentration requires a bachelor's degree in biological sciences, in environmental studies, in natural resource management, or a master's degree in social or physical science. 

  • This certificate may be pursued and completed concurrently with a degree program or as a stand-alone certificate. Federal financial aid cannot be used if the certificate is completed as a stand-alone certificate.

Additional Information

  • Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also successfully complete. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.