Parks and Natural Resources, A.A.S.
Entry Time
Fall, Spring, Summer
Award
Associate of Applied Science degree
2 years (5 terms)
If you enjoy the outdoors and have a deep concern for preserving and managing our natural resources, take a look at our Parks and Natural Resources program. As a student in this program, you’ll learn to
- maintain and build campgrounds and lake areas
- identify and manage fish, amphibians, reptiles, mammals, and nesting and game birds
- operate and maintain equipment
- manage plant material and land
- maintain park facilities
Career Opportunities
Graduates work in beautiful outdoor surroundings. Most jobs are in government parks and entail park maintenance, security, public relations and management.
You may need to relocate to work year-round. Job opportunities include:
- working in a city, county or state park as an attendant or naturalist;
- working in conservation, lake, trail or prairie management;
- environmental education, or
- making land improvements in a soil conservation district.
A bachelor's degree will help in getting desired jobs in county, state and national parks and wildlife areas.
Degree Requirements
| Term 1 | Credit Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| AGH-220 | Plant Identification I | 3 |
| AGH-282 | Pesticide App Cert-Hort | 1 |
| AGH-110 | Success in Horticulture | 1 |
| SPC-101 | Fundamentals of Oral Communication | 3 |
| AGN-105 | Applications of Natural Resources | 3 |
| Humanities or History/Culture Course | 3 | |
| Technical Elective | 3 | |
| Term Totals: | 17 | |
| Term 2 | ||
| COM-723 or ENG-105 | Workplace Communications or Composition I | 3 |
| AGC-313 | Leadership in Agriculture | 1 |
| AGH-141 | Equipment Operations | 3 |
| AGN-250 | Park Maintenance Programs | 3 |
| AGH-102 | Horticulture Math | 3 |
| Technical Elective | 3 | |
| Term Totals: | 16 | |
| Term 3 | ||
| Approved industry internship required for graduation as outlined by internship supervisor | ||
| Term Totals: | 0 | |
| Term 4 | ||
| AGN-248 | Natural Resources Appreciation | 3 |
| AGN-140 | Native Plants | 3 |
| AGN-280 | Intro to Forestry | 3 |
| AGN-220 | Avian Wildlife | 3 |
| AGN-223 | Aquatic Wildlife | 3 |
| Technical Elective | 3 | |
| Term Totals: | 18 | |
| Term 5 | ||
| AGN-226 | Mammalian Wildlife | 3 |
| AGN-235 | Park and Recreation Administration | 3 |
| AGN-240 | Natural Resources Interpretation | 3 |
| AGN-244 | Wildlife Management | 3 |
| Behavioral/Social Science Course 1 | 3 | |
| Term Totals: | 15 | |
| Program Totals: | 66 | |
- 1
CRJ-100 Introduction to Criminal Justice is the recommended course. PSY-111 Intro to Psychology, SOC-110 Introduction to Sociology and other gen ed social science courses also fulfill this requirement.
Technical Electives
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ENV-115 | Environmental Science | 3 |
| AGH-236 | Plant Material Maintenance | 3 |
| AGN-270 | Watershed Assessment and Management | 3 |
| AGN-260 | Wildland Firefighter Training | 3 |
| AGH-144 | Landscape Construction | 3 |
| AGH-238 | Soil and Water Conservation | 3 |
| AGH-264 | Hydroponic Production | 3 |
| AGH-303 | Sustainable Site Management | 3 |
| AGH-221 | Principles of Horticulture | 3 |