Field Ranger Certificate of Achievement

The Field Ranger Certificate prepares students for jobs as docents, volunteers, or paid employees working with a variety of local, state, federal and tribal agencies.  Students successfully completing this certificate may find entry-level positions in various natural resources specializations, such as:

  • State, Tribal, B.L.M. or National Park Ranger
  • U.S. Forest Service or Calif. Dept. of Forestry Firefighter
  • Fish and Wildlife Game Warden
  • Ecological Consultant
  • Zookeeper of Museum Worker
  • Lab Technician
  • Ecosystem Manager
  • Environmental Educator
  • Ecotourism Industry

The Field Ranger Certificate is intended to prepare students to directly enter the conservation field in various capacities.  Students who achieve this certificate will become familiar with a broad range of ranger skills and techniques as well as ecological topics that are applicable anywhere but are also pertinent to the Southwest and the local desert environment. There are no prerequisite skills or limitations on enrollment required for this certificate.

Course Code Title Units
Required Courses
NR 001Conservation of Natural Resources3
NR 001LConservation of Natural Resources Lab1
NR 003Introduction to Wildlife Management3
or NR 004 Introduction to Ecosystem Management
NR 017Natural Resources Law Enforcement3
or AJ 017
NR 020GPS and Map Use1
NR 021Introduction to GIS3
NR 095ANatural Resources Work Experience1-8
NR 041ANative Plants - Mountain1
or NR 041B Native Plants - Desert
NR 058Reptiles of the Coachella Valley1
NR 050Winter Birds1
or NR 051A Migrant Birds - Fall
or NR 051B Migrant Birds - Spring
or NR 051C Backyard Birds
NR 010Wildland Fire Technology3
or FIRE 010 Wildland Fire Technology
KINE 001First Aid and Safety3
CERTIFICATE TOTAL24