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 sustain your future.

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Career Opportunities

  • Conservation Officer
  • Environmental Investigator/Inspector
  • Fish and Wildlife Officer
  • Fishery Officer
  • Municipal Police Officer                                                                     
  • Park Patrol Officer                                                                             
  • Park Ranger
  • Park Warden
  • Pollution Control Officer
  • RCMP 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.
  • 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.

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.

Program Availability
Domestic Status
International Status
International Status with Study Permit
Fall 2024
Open
Open
Open

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, as indicated in the Admission section of this calendar.

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)
  • field equipment vest (recommended)
  • food
  • ground sheet and pad
  • hiking boots
  • sunscreen
  • tent may be required (notification will be given at orientation/can be shared)
  • water bottle
  • warm sleeping bag
  • work gloves

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:

  • “write-in-the-rain” treated field notebook/surveyors book or field enforcement notebook

Available from sporting, hardware, and office supply stores:

  • 4 GB or higher USB memory stick
  • 12 or more coloured pencils (pencil crayons)
  • binoculars (8 X 40 or 10 X 50 magnification)
  • clipboard

For additional information concerning supplies, contact the lab coordinator at 403.320.3202 ext. 5594.

Graduation Requirements

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

View all courses
CourseTitleCredits
Year 1
See Natural Resource Compliance diploma.30
 Credits30
Year 2
See Natural Resource Compliance diploma.30
 Credits30
Year 3
Term I
CEN-3354Administrative Procedures3
CEN-3357Environmental Compliance Techniques3
CEN-3369Environmental Investigations 13
Select 1 of the following options:6
Option A - Environmental Monitoring and Compliance specialty 
Environmental Water Quality 1 
Environmental Assessment and Auditing 1 
Option B - Fish, Wildlife and Parks specialty 
Parks and Protected Areas 1 
Problem Wildlife Management Techniques 1 
 Credits15
Term II
CEN-3374Environmental Law3
CEN-3379Case Management3
CEN-3390Issues in Resource Enforcement3
CJP-2287Strategies in Crisis Situations3
Select 1 of the following options:3
Option A - Environmental Monitoring and Compliance specialty 
Contaminant Management 
Option B - Fish, Wildlife and Parks specialty 
Cultural Diversity in Conservation Enforcement 
 Credits15
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-4455Field Enforcement6
CEN-4460Community Involvement3
CEN-4480Administrative Techniques3
CEN-4491Senior Enforcement Project6
CEN-4496Independent Study6
Select 1 of the following options:6
Option A - Environmental Monitoring and Compliance specialty 
Habitat Protection 
Program Management 
Option B - Fish, Wildlife and Parks specialty 
Hazard Assessment and Public Safety 
Problem Wildlife Field Techniques 
 Credits30
 Total Credits120

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 will be expected to complete non-credit environmental field techniques courses as part of the requirement to complete the program. Courses such as firearms safety, loading and backing trailers, and basic first aid will occur as part of field trip season activities.

Students will be responsible for the fees associated with these courses. Prior valid training possessed by students will be considered for recognition.

View course timetables

Tuition and Fees

Title Tuition Fees Books/Supplies
Year 3
$6,477.00
$1,663.00
$850.00
Year 4
$5,400.00
$1,163.00
$200.00
View detailed program cost estimates
International Students
Title Tuition Fees Books/Supplies
Year 3
$16,725.00
$1,663.00
$850.00
Year 4
$15,540.00
$1,163.00
$200.00
Notes

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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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:

CEN.ADEG