Natural resource and fire managers are most effective when they are committed and engaged in a process of life-long learning. Contemporary opportunities for continuing education are not limited to formal classroom experiences. This section provides summaries of a variety of training and continuing education opportunities available for natural resource and fire managers.
Education
Online Degree and Certificate Programs
Universities offer online degree programs to provide flexible formats for learning and achieving education goals. Some programs, such as the UF Graduate Certificate program listed below, are designed for working professionals who do not wish to go back to school full time. Currently, the Southern Fire Exchange knows of the following programs with a core structure built around fire science.
- Online Ecological Restoration Masters of Science The non-thesis Forest Resources and Conservation MS program in Ecological Restoration consists of 30 credits. Students may choose from School of Forest Resources and Conservation courses or any graduate course offered by University of Florida, with the approval of your advisor. Electives should typically be related to environmental sciences.
- Ecological Restoration Graduate Certificate The Graduate Certificate aims to address the growing demand for ecological restoration professionals in areas such as restoration ecology, natural resource management, environmental science, environmental consulting, fire and wildlife ecology, watershed management, wetland sciences and wetland restoration, and mine rehabilitation.
- Masters of Natural Resources: Fire Ecology and Management This 30-credit hour masters program can be completed completely online with a professional non-thesis project that incorporates fire science, applied tools and technology, management, planning and policy, as well as human dimensions.
- Fire Ecology, Management and Technology Certificate This 15-credit hour certificate program is designed for traditional and non-traditional students who would like to receive in-depth information about the science and tools currently used in fire ecology and management.