Ecologists

High School

If you are interested in becoming an ecologist, you should take a college preparatory curriculum while in high school. Classes that will be of particular benefit include earth science, biology, chemistry, English, and math. Because computers are so often involved in various aspects of research and documentation, you should also take computer science courses.

Postsecondary Training

A bachelor of science degree is the minimum degree required for nonresearch jobs, which include testing and inspection. A master's degree is necessary for jobs in applied research or management. A Ph.D. generally is required to advance in the field, including into high-level administrative positions or to work as a professor at four-year college or university.

If you can only pursue one undergraduate major, it should be in the basic sciences: biology, botany, zoology, chemistry, physics, or geology. At the master's degree level, natural resource management, ecology, botany, conservation biology, and forestry studies are useful.

Certification

Certificate programs in environmental science, biology, environmental education, ecological restoration, and related fields are offered by many colleges and universities; for-profit, online learning providers; and other organizations. Programs typically last six months to a year and are available in online, in-person, and hybrid formats. Contact schools in your area for information about available programs.

Other Education or Training

The Ecological Society of America (ESA) offers continuing education opportunities at its annual conference. Recent sessions included Forest and Rangeland Management, Structural Equation Modeling: Advanced Techniques, Engaging with Business and Industry to Advance Earth Stewardship, Paleoecology, and Python for Ecologists (Python is a scripting language that is becoming increasingly popular for scientific computing). Contact the ESA for more information.

Many other organizations—such as the Society for Ecological Restoration, National Association of Environmental Professionals, and the Soil Science Society of America—offer professional development opportunities. Don't forget to utilize the educational resources of local and state-level environmental associations.