Ecology is the study of living organisms and their interactions with their environment. Several accredited colleges have online ecology degree programs. Arizona State University, Utah State University and Oklahoma State University all offer online degree programs for individuals seeking to major in ecology.
Degree Programs
A online degree in ecology is found at several universities and colleges. Utah State University, for example, offers both a master degree and doctorate degree in ecology online, as well as a Bachelor of Science degree with a concentration in ecology. A undergraduate degree or Bachelor of Science degree with certificates in fisheries, wildlife, wetlands and ecology can be found at Arizona State University. Oklahoma State University has an online master’s degree program available in ecology and management. All these degree programs can be accomplished through the colleges distance learning department, according to the schools’ websites.
Requirements
A four-year degree or bachelor’s degree requires the student to complete the core curriculum first before choosing a major in ecology or related science. These core courses consist of mathematics, science, English, history and other basic college courses required by the specific university, such as the degree requirements found at Utah State University. After completion of the core curriculum, the student must complete the required courses necessary to achieve a bachelor’s degree in science with a concentration in ecology. Advanced courses in behavioral ecology, climate change, urban ecology, population biology and other multidisciplinary sciences make up of the requirements for a degree in ecology, like the online undergraduate degree requirements found at Arizona State University. A master’s degree in science is available at Oklahoma State University through the Natural Resources Ecology and Management department and takes an additional one to two years to complete after the completion of an undergraduate degree.
Online Colleges
The Department on Education lists all the accrediting agencies recognized by the government. A online college or university must be accredited by one of the agencies listed on the departments database to achieve a recognized status by the Department of Education. A review of each accrediting agency is conducted periodically by the federal government and if successfully reviewed, the accrediting agency receives recognition. Any online college or university not accredited by one of the agencies listed on the database does not provide a legitimate degree program.
Ecology Jobs
The completion of a online ecology degree will qualify you for many different jobs in ecology. Ecologists work for universities as a faculty member or research department, government agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency, research institutions and nonprofit environmental groups. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported there were only 91,300 individuals working as a biological scientist in 2008. The job prospects in this field will increase faster than other occupations in the next 10 years, estimated to increase by 21 percent, according to BLS. The median income for a biological scientist is $84,283 a year as of March, 2009