Ecological Restoration Undergraduate Certificate
Ecological restoration is the study of conservation and stewardship
of terrestrial, wetland, and aquatic ecosystems to the benefit of the
plants, animals, and humans that rely on them.
Program Overview
The certificate provides NREM students with knowledge, skills, and abilities that will help them assist in the recovery and management of ecosystems that have been degraded, damaged, or destroyed. Students learn about wildlife habitat management, soil and water conservation, wildland fire management, conservation biology, watershed and wetland management, outdoor recreation, forestry, environmental pollution and remediation, and fisheries and aquatic sciences.
The program provides knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to pursue careers in ecological restoration and associated occupations as sanctioned by the Society for Ecological Restoration.
Why Study Ecological Restoration at Grand Valley?
- The knowledge, skills, and experiences obtained through the completion of the certificate apply to a wide variety of natural resource and environmental management professions.
- Ecological restoration is a growing, multi-faceted, and multi-disciplinary field that provides employment opportunities at the local, state, federal, and tribal level. The Bureau of Labor Statistics job outlook says opportunities in this field are expected to grow by 7% between 2023 and 2033, with a median salary of $79,000.
- The course requirements for the Ecological Restoration Certificate are directly aligned with course requirements for the Society for Ecological Restoration's Certified Ecological Restoration Practitioner-in-Training (CERPIT) certification: ser.org/page/CERPITApplications
- GVSU is the only academic degree program aligned with CERPIT certification in Michigan and one of only 10 aligned institutions in the Midwest.
- A majority of the credit hours needed to complete the certificate are required NREM courses or courses that help satisfy categorical requirements in the NREM major, see catalog for details.
Admissions
For new students, visit the Admissions website for undergraduate requirements. Upon acceptance and for current students:
- Declare your certificate via myBanner (Login to Banner Self-Service, click on Student, Student Records, Add a Certificate or Badge to your Program, Select the appropriate certificate from the drop-down list, and click Submit)
- Departmental approval is required. If denied, an email will be sent to your GVSU student email.
- Speak with the appropriate certificate coordinator to ensure criteria are being met (you will be able to track your progress toward the certificate in myPath as well!)
- Once you are done with the requirements, apply to receive the certificate via myBanner.
- Once the completion of your certificate has been verified, the certificate will be posted to your student record and will be viewable on your transcript.
Location & Format
Undergraduate students in this major study at the Grand Valley Allendale
Campus.
- Face To Face
Coursework
To enroll in this program, you must be a natural resources and environmental management major. You must complete a minimum of 15 credit hours. Required:
- NRM 386 - Ecological Restoration and Management
- NRM 486 - Restoration Ecology
Plus one of the following:
- NRM 308 - Wildlife Ecology
- BIO 323 - Aquatic and Wetland Plants
- BIO 333 - Systematic Botany
- NRM 415 - Fire Ecology and Management
And two of the following:
- NRM 240 - Principles of Climatology
- NRM 330 - Environmental Pollution
- NRM 430 - Advanced Wildland Fire Management
- NRM 454 - Watershed and Wetland Management
Career Options
- Restoration ecologist
- Environmental consultant
- Habitat restoration technician
- Stewardship manager
- Wildlife Biologist
- Ecological restoration practitioner
- Conservation scientist
- Wetland ecologist
- Natural resource specialist
Helpful Links
For More Information
Biology Department
parkviewhousebb.com/biology
2200n
Kindschi Hall of Science
(616) 331-3097