Natural Resource Management Certificate at Minnesota State University Mankato
Is There a Need for Certification?
Certification for undergraduates, graduates, and continuous learning provides focus, incentive, and an evaluation of competence for current students acquiring a degree and professionals returning for continuing education. Directly or indirectly professionals in a variety of positions spend a portion of their time and responsibilities impacting natural resources. To become better stewards of our natural resources it is critical that future and current professionals have a deeper understanding of science and socio-economic based knowledge and skills. Natural resource management is an extensive process, which requires careful planning, implementation, evaluation, and redesign. Certification also functions to validate and increase recognition of the importance of natural resource management.
Certificate Description
The Natural Resource Management Certificate compliments the disciplinary strengths and breadth provided by each college and department at Minnesota State University, Mankato. This interdisciplinary approach unifies the Colleges of Science and Engineering and Technology, Social and Behavioral Sciences, Arts and Humanities, and Graduate Studies. A program of this nature also connects departments, faculty and students in a variety of disciplines. The certificate compliments existing degree programs and enhances the development of professional skills needed to manage natural resources. As a non-degree program, it must be taken in conjunction with an undergraduate/graduate degree program. Prospective students pursuing a Bachelor’s/Master’s Degree at Minnesota State University, Mankato or professionals with a Bachelor’s/Master’s Degree from an accredited university must apply and receive acceptance into the Office of Admissions and the College of Graduate Studies, respectively. The Center for Continuous Learning must be contacted for those interested in certification but not interested in credit.
Curriculum
Curriculum for this certificate consists of human ecology, professional careers and outlook, policy, leadership and management, communication (written and oral), planning, and grant administration. Courses taken for the graduate certificate may count toward the undergraduate/graduate degree program upon approval of the academic advisor and committee.
Students should work closely with their academic advisor to select appropriate elective courses suitable for their area of interest. Depending upon the Bachelor’s/Master’s Degree Program, additional credits are needed to fulfill requirements for the Natural Resource Management Certificate Program. A range of competencies is obtained upon completion of the certificate course work.
Tags: arts and humanities, credit curriculum, graduate degree program, minnesota state university mankato, resource management certificate