High School
Environmental planners rely on solid math, science, and communication skills in their work. Be sure to take classes in math, ecology, geology, natural sciences, environmental studies, history, political science, English, and software and design programs.
Postsecondary Training
Federal, state, and local governments require environmental and urban planners to have a master's degree from an accredited program in environmental or urban planning. A bachelor's degree in economics, geography, political science, or environmental design provides a solid foundation for graduate studies. The Planning Accreditation Board (PAB, http://www.planningaccreditationboard.org) accredits undergraduate and graduate degree planning programs. Many schools now offer undergraduate and graduate degree programs in resource and environmental planning and environmental studies. Graduates can specialize in such areas as land-use or code enforcement, community development and redevelopment, natural resources and environmental planning, urban planning, transportation planning, and economic planning and development.
In addition to course work in environmental planning, undergraduates also study earth sciences, architecture, economics, law, finance, health administration, and management. Environmental planners regularly use computer models and statistics in their work, so these classes as well as computer science and geographic information systems classes are recommended.
Certification
Some colleges and universities offer certificate programs in environmental planning. For example, the University of California at Davis provides a Land Use and Environmental Planning Certificate Program that features required and elective classes, and the option to complete a three-year or five-year program. Contact schools in your area to learn more about available programs.
Other Education or Training
The American Planning Association offers audio/Web conferences, workshops, self-directed study options, and online courses. Recent offerings included Smart Growth in Small Towns and Rural Areas, Planning Ethics and the Law, Sustainable Zoning and Development Controls, Planning for Climate Change: Adaptation and Mitigation, and Managing Complex Relationships in Planning. The Canadian Institute of Planners also provides continuing education opportunities. Contact these organizations for more information.
- Agricultural Scientists
- Air Quality Engineers
- Ambassadors
- Aquarists
- Arborists
- Archaeologists
- Architects
- Archivists
- Astrogeologists
- Biochemists
- Bioenergy/Biofuels Workers
- Biofuels Processing Technicians
- Biofuels Production Managers
- Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers
- Biologists
- Biomass Plant Technicians
- Biomass Power Plant Managers
- Botanists
- Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers
- Building Performance Diagnosticians
- Campaign Workers
- Cartographers
- Chemists
- Chief Sustainability Officers
- City Managers
- Civil Engineering Technicians
- Civil Engineers
- Climate Scientists
- Computer-Aided Design Drafters and Technicians
- Congressional Aides
- Construction Inspectors
- Construction Managers
- Corporate Climate Strategists
- Drafters
- Ecologists
- Energy Brokers
- Energy Conservation Technicians
- Energy Consultants
- Engineers
- Environmental Economists
- Environmental Education Program Directors
- Environmental Engineers
- Environmental Lawyers
- Environmental Lobbyists
- Environmental Restoration Planners
- Environmental Scientists
- Environmental Technicians
- EPA Special Agents
- Ergonomists
- Federal and State Officials
- Fish and Game Wardens
- Foreign Service Officers
- Forensic Meteorologists
- Foresters
- Forestry Technicians
- Fuel Cell Engineers
- Fuel Cell Technicians
- Fuel Cell Technology Workers
- Furniture Designers
- Futurists
- Geodetic Surveyors
- Geographers
- Geographic Information Systems Specialists
- Geological Technicians
- Geologists
- Geophysicists
- Geospatial Analytics Specialists
- Geotechnical Engineers
- Geothermal Energy Industry Workers
- Geothermal Production Managers
- Geothermal Technicians
- Green Builders
- Green Hotel/Resort Ecomanagers
- Green Products Manufacturers
- Green Transportation Careers
- Grounds Managers
- Groundwater Professionals
- Hazardous Waste Management Specialists
- Hazardous Waste Management Technicians
- Historians
- Horticultural Inspectors
- Horticultural Technicians
- Hydroelectric Plant Technicians
- Hydroelectric Production Managers
- Hydropower and Marine Energy Industry Workers
- Indoor Environmental Health Specialists
- Industrial Designers
- Industrial Ecologists
- Intelligence Officers
- Interior Designers and Decorators
- Interpreters
- Land Acquisition Professionals
- Land Trust or Preserve Managers
- Landscape Architects
- Landscapers
- Lobbyists
- Marine Biologists
- Meteorologists
- Methane/Landfill Gas Collection System Operators
- Methane/Landfill Gas Generation System Technicians
- Microbiologists
- Molecular and Cellular Biologists
- Museum Directors and Curators
- National Park Service Employees
- Naturalists
- Occupational Safety and Health Workers
- Oceanographers
- Paleontologists
- Park Rangers
- Policy Analysts
- Political Columnists and Writers
- Political Consultants
- Political Reporters
- Political Scientists
- Political Speechwriters
- Press Secretaries
- Public Opinion Researchers
- Range Managers
- Recreation Workers
- Recycling and Reclamation Workers
- Recycling Coordinators
- Regional and Local Officials
- Remote Sensing Scientists and Technologists
- Remote Sensing Technicians
- Renewable Energy Careers
- Renewable Energy Engineers
- Renewable Energy Site Assessors
- Rewilders
- Soil Conservationists and Technicians
- Soil Scientists
- Solar Energy Industry Workers
- Solar Energy Installation Managers
- Solar Energy Sales Representatives
- Solar Engineers
- Solar Thermal Installers and Technicians
- Space Meteorologist
- Statisticians
- Surveying and Mapping Technicians
- Surveyors
- Swimming Pool Designers
- Translators
- Urban and Regional Planners
- Wastewater Treatment Plant Operators and Technicians
- Water/Wastewater Engineers
- Wildland Firefighters
- Wind Energy Engineers
- Wind Energy Industry Workers
- Wind Energy Operations Managers
- Wind Energy Project Managers
- Zoo and Aquarium Curators and Directors
- Zoologists