Program Overview
| Program | Course Delivery |
|---|---|
| Natural Resources - Major | On-Campus |
Explore the natural resources program
Let the great outdoors become your classroom. This major is built for hands-on opportunities and getting you career-ready. Prescribed burning, duck banding, bird surveys, mammal trapping, plant and animal identification, radio-telemetry, and GIS/GPS training are some of the many labs and opportunities you will have on our campus. U of M Crookston also has quick, convenient access to two National Wildlife Refuges and a 90-acre natural history area. All students also complete a federal wildland firefighter certification in the program.
"U of M Crookston has done a better job of preparing students for natural resources work than any college I've seen!" - Paul Swenson, former regional director, Minnesota DNR
Natural Resources is a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree.
Amberly Cox
Asst Dir of Recruitment
Natural Resources Major
Managing natural resources is vital because of the increasing human population and limited natural resources and habitats. Natural resource managers help balance people's needs with the ecosystem’s ability to sustainably support soil, water, forests, wildlife, fish, and recreational resources.
The natural resources program provides an integrated approach to soil and water conservation, wildlife and fisheries management, forestry, and recreation. This combination enables graduates to work with various resources and people to build careers tailored to their interests.
Students select one of the following emphases:
- Ecological restoration
- Natural resources law enforcement
- Natural resources management
- Park management
- Water resource management
- Wildlife management
After completing the program, graduates will:
- Apply an integrated resource management approach incorporating environmental, economic, and social considerations.
- Demonstrate appropriate technical knowledge and practical applications necessary for employment in the natural resources field.
- Perform group problem-solving, decision-making, and conflict management to effectively manage resources.
- Demonstrate oral and written communication skills appropriate for a beginning natural resource professional.
Be aware of the necessity of continuing education and professional development to be successful in a changing natural resources workplace.
Awards and Accreditation
The University of Minnesota Crookston is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Student Experiences
Cost of Attendance (COA)
Full-time (13-18 credits), on-campus.
| Expense Category | MN Resident & Non Resident |
|---|---|
| Tuition/fees | $13,288 |
| Books/supplies* | $279 |
| Housing/food | $11,024 |
Average Cost After Aid
$13,436
Average amount of grants & scholarships received (2022-2023 data)
$12,894
Average net price after grants &
scholarships (2021-2022 data)
$22,883
Average TOTAL student loan debt after
graduation (2022-2023)
Scholarship and Funding Options
The University of Minnesota Crookston provides quick and easy access to over $1 million worth of scholarship opportunities for new and returning students!
Your Future Professors
What is Campus Life Like?
Residential Life
University of Minnesota Crookston's residence halls are ranked #1 public college dorms in Minnesota by Niche. The residential halls are clean, safe, spacious and modern. There is a mix of traditional style rooms, suites, and apartments available on-campus which include amenities such as ensuite bathrooms, walk-closets, and full size kitchens with all major appliances. There are also beautiful common spaces in every residential building that are great places to hangout, play games, study, or relax. Schedule a tour to see for yourself why they're ranked #1!
Student Stories
Alumni Feature: Chad Hornbaker 1993, 2001
Chad Hornbaker 1993 and 2001, who works for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Alaska, shares what it’s like to be a wildlife inspector and K-9 handler in the office of law enforcement in Anchorage.
Alumni Feature: Jeff Runck 2012
Runck goes to the extreme with his career as a smokejumper for the Bureau of Land Management.
Alumni feature: Aaron Larsen, Jonah Olson, and Jake Nelson
What are the odds three University of Minnesota Crookston Golden Eagle alumni would end up working under the same roof? Pretty decent when you have the same or similar majors, it turns out.