2024-2025

Natural Resources Law Enforcement, Undergraduate Certificate

Department of Geography, Planning, and Recreation

College of Social and Behavioral Sciences

The Certificate in Natural Resource Law Enforcement will provide a professional credential to strengthen your knowledge, skills, and abilities in the safeguarding of our national parks, forests, wildlife refuges, and public lands.

  • To receive an undergraduate certificate (at least 15 units) at Northern Arizona University, you must complete a planned group of courses from one or more subject matter areas with a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0.

    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 15
Major GPA 2.0

Purpose Statement

The undergraduate certificate in Natural Resource Law Enforcement provides training for protecting national and state parks and lands.

The certificate focuses specifically on building medical, legal, operational, and tactical expertise needed for careers in natural resource law enforcement and park/public lands management and protection. The goal is to equip students with specialized skills tailored for career positions as park rangers, fish and game wardens, conservation officers, and other protective roles in federal and state agencies.

Student Learning Outcomes

Land Management Agency Protection Functions
  • Articulate the emergency services functions of park operations and management as they relate to the protection of persons and resources.
  • Discuss the emergency services functions of land management agencies; specifically the history of emergency services programs, their structure and organization, and contemporary issues.
  • Describe the network of treaties, statutes, regulations, and laws that apply to the management of parks, forests, wildlife refuges, and public lands and their impact on the management of human activity.
 
Law Enforcement and Emergency Services Proficiency
  • Apply legal concepts, behavioral science, and effective law enforcement practices in the protection of national parks, forests, wildlife refuges, and public lands.
  • Complete the requirements to obtain a National Park Service Level II (Seasonal) Law Enforcement Commission.
  • Apply emergency medical care techniques in a rural/remote environment.
  • Complete the requirements for certification as a Wilderness First Responder.
 
Park Protection Perspective
  • Perform park protection functions as a practitioner, informed by a comprehensive examination of land management agency functions and the specifics of resource protection and emergency services.
  • Supervise and manage a broad range of park operations informed by an understanding of an interdisciplinary approach to park protection.

Certificate Requirements

  • Take the following 15 units:


    A minimum of 9 units of coursework must be taken at Northern Arizona University.

  • 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.

  • Students enrolled in this certificate may not enroll in or pursue the following due to the number of overlapping units:

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.