Take your passion for protecting the land, wildlife and fisheries resources to the next level in the Conservation Enforcement – Bachelor of Applied Science program. This made-in-Lethbridge degree has been honed through nearly four decades of experience and builds on the Natural Resource Compliance diploma.
Through a proven blend of classroom theory, lab exercises and outdoor field work, you’ll develop the skills needed to deal with problem wildlife, investigate violations, enforce resource laws and more. You’ll graduate with the knowledge and firsthand experience in natural and physical sciences and resource law enforcement to not only conserve the planet, but to sustain your future.
Apply Now Grab and Go InformationCareer Opportunities
- Conservation Officer
- Environmental Investigator/Inspector
- Fish and Wildlife Officer
- Fishery Officer
- Park Patrol Officer
- Park Ranger
- Park Warden
- Pollution Control Officer
- Resource Management Officer
- Wildlife Investigator
Employability
- Natural Resource Law Enforcement Officer positions have specific physical requirements such as vision, hearing and physical fitness. The specific requirements differ with each agency. It is the applicant’s responsibility to confirm that they meet the requirements of the agencies with which they hope to work.
- Persons with a criminal record may have difficulty competing for jobs as Conservation Enforcement Officers in Canada.
- Employers often require that students hold a valid Standard First Aid or Wilderness First Aid Certificate and/or a CPR Certificate to be eligible for seasonal and/ or permanent employment. Students are encouraged to obtain these certificates either prior to entering the program or during the first term.
- Workshops and short courses offered by third-party businesses may be available on evenings and weekends. Students are encouraged to attend these sessions to enhance their credentials for employment.
Visit ALIS website for more career information.
1st program
of its kind to be offered in Canada
61 Districts
in Alberta where fish and wildlife officers work
2 Semesters
you’ll spend working in the lakes, rivers, fields and mountains during field studies
At-a-Glance
Starts-in
September
Credential / Accreditation
Bachelor of Applied Science
Duration
2 years (post-diploma)
Dates and Deadlines
Visit the Program Application Status page for more details.
Academic Centre
Program Availability
Admissions
This program is available for International Students.
New third-year applicants, or transfer applicants with advance standing through completion of a related diploma, are accepted into the program in Fall (September) of each year for on-campus study.
General Admissions Requirements
All applicants must meet the general admission requirements for Lethbridge College programs.
Academic Requirements
Students who have completed a Natural Resource Compliance Diploma from Lethbridge College will be accepted directly into the Conservation Enforcement - Bachelor of Applied Science. A minimum GPA of 2.00 or equivalent is required for admission.
Transfer students are required to have a diploma in natural resource management or equivalent, or a related bachelor’s degree in an area such as resource management, biology, environmental studies or a similar area of study. Transfer students with related credentials will be accepted into the program after being assessed on an individual basis to determine whether they are required to take bridging courses to meet degree outcomes. A minimum GPA of 2.00 or equivalent is required for admission.
Non-Academic Requirements
- Persons with a criminal record may have difficulty competing for jobs as Conservation Enforcement Officers in Canada.
- Employers often require that students hold a valid Standard First Aid or Wilderness First Aid Certificate and/or a CPR Certificate to be eligible for seasonal and/or permanent employment. Students are encouraged to obtain these certificates either prior to entering the program or during the first term.
- A number of workshops and short courses sponsored by various agencies are available on evenings and weekends. Students are encouraged to attend these sessions to enhance their credentials for employment.
Medical Requirements
- Natural Resource Law Enforcement Officer positions have specific physical requirements such as vision, hearing and physical fitness. The specific requirements differ with each agency. It is the applicant's responsibility to confirm that they meet the requirements of the agencies with which they hope to work.
Supplies for Field Studies
Students on field studies are expected to provide their own equipment and supplies. This may include:
- adequate clothing for cold/wet weather
- backpack for gear
- binoculars
- cooking and eating gear (may be shared)
- food
- ground sheet and pad
- hiking boots
- tent may be required (notification will be given at orientation/can be shared)
- water bottle
- warm sleeping bag
Equipment and supplies may not be required in all courses or terms. Please consult the course outlines for specific equipment required before purchasing. Field studies schedules are dependent on many variables and may require students to participate on weekends. All program field studies require mandatory attendance.
Other Required Supplies
Available from Lethbridge College Bookstore:
- Enforcement Style Notebook
Available from sporting, hardware, clothing, and office supply stores:
- 4 GB or higher USB memory stick
- binoculars (8 X 40 or 10 X 50 magnification)
- dress clothes appropriate for interviews/mock court attendance
For additional information concerning supplies, contact the lab coordinator at 403.320.3202 ext. 5594.
Upon successful completion of all program requirements, students are awarded a Bachelor of Applied Science in Conservation Enforcement degree.
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Delivery Formats
The Conservation Enforcement – Bachelor of Applied Science is available through the following delivery methods.
Hyflex with In-Person Labs
This program is offered both online and on campus in a synchronous format (learning occurs at the same time) that allows lectures to be delivered in-person or through a hyflex approach as needed. All labs take place in-person on campus in Lethbridge.
On Campus
This program is delivered in a face-to-face format on the main Lethbridge College campus. Lectures, labs and hands-on training opportunities will all take place on campus in Lethbridge.
Courses
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | ||
| See Natural Resource Compliance diploma. | 30 | |
| Credits | 30 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| See Natural Resource Compliance diploma. | 30 | |
| Credits | 30 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Term I | ||
| CEN-3354 | Administrative Procedures | 3 |
| CEN-3357 | Environmental Compliance Techniques | 3 |
| CEN-3369 | Environmental Investigations 1 | 3 |
| Select 1 of the following options: | 6 | |
| Option A - Environmental Monitoring and Compliance specialty | ||
| ENV-3381 | Environmental Water Quality 1 | |
| ENV-3397 | Environmental Assessment and Auditing 1 | |
| Option B - Fish, Wildlife and Parks specialty | ||
| CEN-3352 | Parks and Protected Areas 1 | |
| CEN-3389 | Problem Wildlife Management Techniques 1 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Term II | ||
| CEN-3374 | Environmental Law | 3 |
| CEN-3379 | Case Management | 3 |
| CEN-3390 | Issues in Resource Enforcement | 3 |
| CJP-2287 | Strategies in Crisis Situations | 3 |
| Select 1 of the following options: | 3 | |
| Option A - Environmental Monitoring and Compliance specialty | ||
| ENV-2280 | Contaminant Management | |
| Option B - Fish, Wildlife and Parks specialty | ||
| SOC-3355 | Cultural Diversity in Conservation Enforcement | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| Students are eligible to register in Directed Field Studies courses after successful completion of Year 3. Students must complete a Summer and a Fall term of Directed Field Studies earning a total of 30 learning credits through completion of the following courses: | ||
| CEN-4455 | Field Enforcement | 6 |
| CEN-4460 | Community Involvement | 3 |
| CEN-4480 | Administrative Techniques | 3 |
| CEN-4491 | Senior Enforcement Project | 6 |
| CEN-4496 | Independent Study | 6 |
| Select 1 of the following options: | 6 | |
| Option A - Environmental Monitoring and Compliance specialty | ||
| CEN-4470 | Habitat Protection | |
| CEN-4485 | Program Management | |
| Option B - Fish, Wildlife and Parks specialty | ||
| CEN-4465 | Hazard Assessment and Public Safety | |
| CEN-4475 | Problem Wildlife Field Techniques | |
| Credits | 30 | |
| Total Credits | 120 | |
1 Courses with a field study component.
Special notes about field studies:
Students are off-campus completing field studies during most of September and April. In the Fall term, field studies are in September, while in the Winter term, field studies are scheduled in April. Field studies schedules are dependent on many variables and may require students to participate on weekends. All program field studies require mandatory attendance.
Students may complete non-credit environmental field techniques courses to enhance their employability. Courses such as firearms safety, ATV operations, trapping, loading and backing trailers, and basic first aid may be offered by third-party businesses. Students will be responsible for the fees associated with these courses.
Tuition and Fees
| Title | Tuition | Fees | Books/Supplies |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 3
|
$6,980.00
|
$1,885.50
|
$600.00
|
| Year 4
|
$5,400.00
|
$1,357.50
|
$200.00
|
| Title | Tuition | Fees | Books/Supplies |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 3
|
$17,458.00
|
$1,885.50
|
$600.00
|
| Year 4
|
$15,720.00
|
$1,357.50
|
$200.00
|
Costs for supplies may vary considerably depending on what students already have or where they purchased their supplies; cost provided is on the moderately high end.
Students will be charged a medical/dental benefit fee unless they opt out by demonstrating alternative coverage prior to the end of the first week of class.
Students are responsible for the cost of the field trips relating to this program.
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This program belongs to the
Centre for Technology, Environment & Design
Featured Graduates
Joe Storms
"The instructors who I worked with at Lethbridge College were awesome. They will go out of their way to help you achieve what you’re wanting to accomplish. I don’t think I would be here, working in Jasper National Park, if I didn’t go through the Conservation Enforcement program. They really helped with setting me up, giving me the right skills and showing what kind of options are out there.”
Miles Grove
“The curriculum gave me the technical background in wildlife management, fisheries management and all the resource-type management courses to understand the resources that I was enforcing the law with. The college set me up perfectly to get a job as a wildlife officer. I have a great career, and it all started with me going to Lethbridge College.”
Chloe Marshall
“The instructors at Lethbridge College are so personable. I could call them up right now and they would know exactly where I’m working, what I’m doing and they’d be interested in hearing about it.”
Scholarships
With just one online application, you can apply for all the Lethbridge College awards and scholarships for which you qualify, including these featured scholarships: