Natural Resources Policy & AdministrationCurriculum: by semester | detailed view
FER Home : Undergraduates : Natural Resources Policy & Administration
What you like to ensure that effective environmental politics are created and followed to guide the use of our planet’s resources? Are you interested in solving complex environmental problems from both a science and policy perspective? Does the government’s role in environmental regulation interest you? If so, Policy and Administration may be right for you.
FER’s program in Natural Resources Policy and Administration provides students with the knowledge and skills they need to manage natural resources programs within a variety of settings, with an emphasis on serving public agencies.
Undergraduates begin their education by taking part in our Natural Resources interdisciplinary program, which provides a strong grounding in basic earth and biological sciences. They then enter a comprehensive Policy and Administration track that provides advanced instruction in government, economics, policy and natural resource management while educating on relevant topics within forestry, wildlife and fisheries and recreation.
Undergraduates are also be given opportunities to observe or participate in relevant faculty research projects and to propose policies in response to real-world challenges.
By the time they graduate, students will have practical experience creating and evaluating natural resource policy, will understand the workings of regulatory and resource programs and will be well-prepared for a career in the management, administration, policy-making, preservation or regulation of natural resources.
The Natural Resources Policy and Administration major is part of an exciting network of academic programs coordinated by the Environmental Sciences and Natural Resources Academic Programs (ESNR) at NC State University. Find out more about ESNR >>
Curriculum
A grounding in basic earth and biological sciences quickly leads to a more specialized curriculum that includes advanced economics, policy, government, public administration and natural resources management. For example, the economics track starts with introductory microeconomics and culminates in environmental economics and public finance, while courses on various levels of government and public administration provide an in-depth knowledge of how public institutions work. Additional courses in forestry, wildlife, fisheries and outdoor recreation provide a background on the issues and techniques involved in managing natural ecosystems. The influence of public policy on natural resources is a common thread that runs through much of our curriculum, culminating in two senior courses that focus on understanding and developing policy.
View the courses you will take for a Bachelor of Science in Natural Resources with a concentration in Policy and Administration: Eight Semester Display or Degree Audit Information View.
View the Natural Resources Policy and Administration Program Educational Objectives.
Professional Development
A professional development program is integrated into the curriculum that consists of a required summer work experience between the junior and senior years and two professional development courses. One of the senior courses consists of written and oral reports on each student's summer work experience and professional development activities. Juniors prepare for this summer internship by participating in senior presentations and with the help of faculty who assists the students in finding an appropriate summer job.
Natural Resource students report learning much about themselves as well as their career goals and options through the professional development series. Many of our Natural Resources Policy and Administration majors also in the many Study Abroad opportunities available at NC State.
Career Opportunities
FER’s Natural Resources Policy and Administration Program is designed to produce administrators and managers for public agencies and private organizations that are involved with the management, administration, policy-making, preservation or regulation of natural resources. When you graduate, you are qualified for entry-level jobs at such organizations as the USDI National Park Service, Environmental Protection Agency, US Geological Survey, state and local government agencies plus many non-profit environmental organizations or consulting firms.
The program’s broad scope also provides a strong base for students who wish to pursue a graduate program in the natural resources economics and policy arena.
View the Natural Resources Overview Flyer.
