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This program focuses on the ecology and management of wild animals, for their benefit and the benefit of humans. With human impacts on the environment increasing, wildlife-inhabited lands are being changed or lost at unprecedented rates.
Managing wildlife includes activities such as study design, data collection, and communication to constituencies so policies can be selected that have positive outcomes for both wildlife and humans. This degree provides the training you need to effectively guide studies, decisions, and policies related to wildlife management.
This intensive, coursework-only online master's degree is designed for professionals working in the fish, wildlife, and conservation biology field. Students will broaden their critical thinking on current issues and receive the training to be successful in careers at natural resources agencies, firms, and non-government organizations.
Faculty incorporate their research and field work experience into coursework and discussions with online students. Examples of recent issues that FWCB faculty have been involved with include:
This wildlife and conservation biology degree is offered online in a flexible, asynchronous study format optimal for working professionals. Courses are delivered online using the Canvas online learning management system, which offers forums for collaboration with other students and faculty.
Build your knowledge base and understanding of how to review scientific information; analyze, interpret, and explain data; develop and communicate strategies and plans; and make complex decisions to successfully manage fish and wildlife while considering budgets, stakeholders, and human values. Topics of study include:
Before applying to this program, please make sure you meet the following admission criteria:
*Review the full admission requirements, applications deadlines, and other information in the How to Apply section.
Graduates of CSU's Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology have worked and work for employers such as:
“The Master’s in Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology (M.F.W.C.B.) program offered many benefits over the competition. Pacing is self-directed, which was extremely attractive because I spend so much time in the field. I gained the technical foundation in recent science and a broad understanding of the whole field of conservation biology, both of which I apply daily when considering project implications and disaster recovery actions. I recommend the M.F.W.C.B. program to any professional who is looking to broaden their technical scientific knowledge base, or who is looking for better understanding of the driving factors in global conservation biology trends.”
As a student in CSU’s online fish, wildlife, conservation, and biology program you receive the same education and earn the same regionally accredited degree as students on campus. Additionally, you can expect:
A Program with a Strong Legacy: Earn your wildlife biology degree from a department with a strong national reputation for fish and wildlife management. Our reputation is backed by the number of prominent federal, state, and local agencies that have facilities here at CSU and have research partnerships with faculty.
A Non-Thesis Degree: The master’s in fish, wildlife, and conservation biology does not require you to complete a thesis or research project. Instead, this course-intensive degree focuses on preparing graduates with applicable tools for addressing conservation problems and the communication and decision-making skills to implement science-based conservation.
Instruction from Expert Faculty: Courses are taught by faculty who share their own research and applied experiences in the online classroom. Learn from experts leading current projects, both in the lab and in the field, and gain first-hand knowledge of the most pressing issues facing fish and wildlife management today.
The Skills to Make an Impact: Learn how to set actionable fish and wildlife conservation efforts in motion that use quantitative methods to articulate need and sound reasoning. Our program provides a strong foundation in ecological theory and the tools needed to apply that theory to solve pressing issues in fish and wildlife management.
Improved Communication Skills: Gain an understanding of the social elements critical to communicating with various stakeholder groups, resolving conflict between them, and driving them to action.
A Program for Working Professionals: Study in-depth content focused on statistics, decision making, and knowledge of physical, chemical, and biological processes – all critical components to fish and wildlife conservation efforts. This program is designed for working professionals needing to apply this knowledge immediately to their jobs.
Gain the knowledge and skills to confidently design, review, and interpret studies and communicate their results in order to arrive at informed decisions related to natural resource management.
Coursework will provide students with an advanced knowledge in ecology and conservation of fish and wildlife and develop competencies in:
The master's in fish, wildlife, and conservation biology requires completion of 30 credits, including 21 credits of required core coursework and 9 credits of electives. This is a coursework-only degree and does not require completion of a thesis.
Students must complete 21 credits (7 courses) from the following list. The eighth core course can be taken as an elective, contributing to the 9 credits of electives (see below).
Students choose at least 9 credits from the following elective courses (if they are using an eighth core course as an elective (see above) they will only need 6 credits from this list):
| Fall semester | April 1 |
| Spring semester | October 1 |
Start your application online and upload materials directly into the online system. You can save your progress and return any time.
Apply NowThe Master of Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology requires that students have the following:
Note that meeting the minimum department standards does not ensure admission to the program. Admission is based on a number of factors, including prior academic and professional experience, references, and the Personal Statement.
Prepare the materials below and upload when you apply online.
Complete the online graduate application and pay the nonrefundable application processing fee (payable online). As soon as you have completed the required information, please submit your application. Your application will not be reviewed until it is complete and all required materials have been received.
CSU's Graduate School offers several application fee waiver opportunities. Visit their website to determine if you are eligible for a waiver.
Request one official transcript of all collegiate work completed from all institutions attended. Transcripts from Colorado State University are not required. Transcripts must be received directly from the originating institution to be considered official.
Electronic (preferred): Digital Transcripts must be submitted by the originating institution using a secure service such as parchment, eScrip-Safe, the National Student Clearinghouse, or e-Quals. Transcripts received via emails are considered unofficial. Use institution code 4075 for Colorado State University or gradadmissions@colostate.edu if the secure service requires an email address.
Mail (if necessary) Graduate Admissions Colorado State University – Office of Admissions 1062 Campus Delivery Fort Collins, CO 80523-1062
View your application status at any time to ensure your application checklist is complete or to check on updates.
Proof of English language proficiency is required for applicants from countries or United States territories where there are official languages other than (or in addition to) English. This includes the U.S. territories of American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and Puerto Rico.
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