Range Managers

High School

If you are interested in pursuing a career in range management, you should begin planning your education early. Since you will need a college degree for this work, take college preparatory classes in high school. Your class schedule should include the sciences, such as earth science, biology, and chemistry. Take mathematics and economics classes. Any computer courses that teach you to use databases and word processing programs will also be beneficial. You will frequently use computers during your career to keep records, file reports, and do planning. English courses will also help you develop your research, writing, and reading skills. You will need all of these skills in college and beyond.

Postsecondary Training

The minimum educational requirement for range managers is usually a bachelor's degree in range management or range science. To be hired by the federal government, you will need at least 42 credit hours in plant, animal, or soil sciences and natural resources management courses, including at least 18 hours in range management. If you would like a teaching or research position, you will need a graduate degree in range management. Advanced degrees may also prove helpful for advancement in other jobs.

To receive a bachelor's degree in range management, students must have acquired a basic knowledge of biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, and communication skills. Specialized courses in range management combine plant, animal, and soil sciences with the principles of ecology and resource management. Students are also encouraged to take electives, such as economics, statistics, forestry, hydrology, agronomy, wildlife, animal husbandry, computer science, and recreation.

While a number of schools offer some courses related to range management, only 14 colleges and universities in the United States have degree programs in range management or range science that are accredited by the Society of Range Management. Visit the SRM's Web site for the list of other schools that offer course work or degrees in range management or range science, https://rangelands.org/srm-academic-resources/universities-colleges.

Other Education or Training

The Society for Range Management offers symposia and workshops on range management-related issues. Past offerings included “Strategic Grazing Management for Complex Adaptive Systems” and “Climate Change in Western Rangelands.” Contact the society for more information.