Bachelors In

Forestry Degrees

The complete guide on what you’ll learn, job prospects, university programs, and saving time and money.
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Why We Love It

  • $54,970
    Potential Avg. Salary*
  • Growing Demand
    Job Outlook

* Salary & growth data is based on the recent Bureau of Labor and Statistics data published at https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes333031.htm for 33-3031 Fish and game wardens 11/2021. Based on national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary.

With a bachelor of science in forestry, you’ll learn how to maintain, protect, and preserve forests, parks, and other areas designed for animal habitation and human recreational use.

By studying how to prevent the transmission of debilitating animal or plant life diseases, how to prevent forest fires, and how to care for wildlife, trees, and ranges, students can find and enjoy long careers as forest and park rangers.

What is a Degree in Forestry?

A bachelor of science in forestry is a diverse degree program that covers a variety of subjects, including ecology, botany, biology, animal science, fire science, and travel and tourism topics.

The goal of this diverse curriculum is to teach students how to care for forests, parks, ranges, and other natural areas that are used for recreation and preservation. Many forestry degree programs combine classroom coursework with significant hands-on experience through internships, labs, and apprenticeships.

Students learn how to care for and manage protected areas: national and state parks, lakes, and forests in both urban and rural areas. While many students become park rangers after graduation, some move into government parks management and others use the skills they learned for careers in environmental or animal protection roles.

Students will be prepared will the skills needed to take on a variety of roles in government, non-profit, not-for-profit, and commercial roles working with nature, wildlife, plants, and people.

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What Courses Would I Take For a Major in Forestry?

  • Ecology and Renewable Resource Management
  • Forest Management Planning
  • Tree Physiology
  • Urban Forestry
  • Forest Health and Protection
  • Forest Resource Management
  • Forest Fire Control and Use
  • Natural Resource Biometrics

What Jobs Can You Get with a Degree in Forestry?

Demand for foresters and park rangers is expected to be consistent with the national average in the coming decade, so graduates should have a reasonable number of opportunities to find work in their desired careers.

Most careers will be available through government roles with local, state, or federal government agencies, though some opportunities should be available with non-profit agencies or on privately owned lands. With a graduate degree, students can also find work as conservation scientists.

How Long does it take?

A bachelors in Forestry will have a typical length of 4 years in a full time schedule. That said, there are many ways to speed up the timeframe by either taking more units via online coursework, community college, or taking free classes at OnlineDegree.com that could transfer to universities in the US.

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Best Jobs for Forestry Degrees

Graduates of forestry bachelor’s degree programs go on to work as foresters and park rangers for local and national parks, forests, lakes, and ranges. Some may work for government agencies, caring for and establishing protected areas, while others may find work with non-profit and not-for-profit agencies in environmental or animal protection roles.

Others work as scientists, attorneys, or educators after earning graduate degrees.

How to save time and money

Our mission is to help you to avoid paying full price for college. We want your Forestry degree to be affordable and accessible. Here’s how you could save:

Create Your Free SmartPlan

There are many ways to make college affordable and accessible.

That’s why we created a helpful tool called SmartPlan.

It’s free, and helps you find potential ways to save and tons of information about each school you’re considering

Think of it as your “college blueprint”, to help you instantly craft a path to your degree:

  • Which Colleges Match Your Needs
  • Ways You Could Save Time & Money
  • Free Courses You Could Take for Credit
  • Valuable Data and Insights on Each College
  • Detailed Steps You Should Take!

See what’s possible for you and generate a free plan within just a few minutes

Create My SmartPlan

Get a Certificate in Forestry First

Before enrolling in a bachelor’s degree program, you may want to consider earning a certificate in forestry. A certificate program usually takes less than a year to complete, and the curriculum is focused solely on forestry coursework.

With a certificate, you may be able to find work as a park ranger or parks and recreation department employee, which will enable you to earn money and experience while pursuing your bachelor’s degree. Some schools may even transfer certificate program credits.

You Might also be Interested in

Many visitors who look for a degree in Forestry are also interested in the following degrees.

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