Bachelor of Natural Resource Protection

Are you passionate about the outdoors, and see yourself in a future career protecting Canada’s rich natural environment and wildlife? The Bachelor of Natural Resource Protection at VIU is for environmental stewards who are ready to turn their passion for nature conservation, nature protection and natural resource management into a career.

The degree program builds on the existing two-year Resource Management Officer Technology (RMOT) diploma program. The Bachelor of Natural Resource Protection will enable RMOT diploma graduates to receive an undergraduate degree after an additional two years of course work. This degree has been designed to provide an advanced credential for other career opportunities in the natural resource conservation and protection field.

VIU is the only academic institution in BC to offer this specialized degree, and only one of two to offer a comparable degree in Western Canada. In addition to advanced courses in natural resource management and law enforcement, there is a four month field practicum in the fall of fourth year. In this practicum, students are able to choose an off-campus field placement with either an enforcement or a resource management agency.

Students that graduate with the Bachelor of Natural Resource Protection will be able to find employment in many different fields of natural resource management and protection. This includes National Park Wardens, Park Rangers, Conservation Officers, Fishery Officers, Fisheries Inspectors, Forestry Compliance and Enforcement Officers, Environmental Inspectors, Environmental consultants, Fish and Wildlife technicians and biologists, among others. A degree may also be beneficial for promotion to management positions within these agencies.

Students who are interested in this program will apply for the Diploma - Resource Management Officer. Upon completing the diploma, they will apply to the degree program.