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How to Become a Park Ranger
1) Start by earning an Associate's or Bachelor's Degree. Common degrees for park rangers are in Business or Public Administration, Law Enforcement, Criminal Justice, Biology or a B.S. in Environmental Sciences. Most park departments want their park rangers to have at least an associate's degree.
2) Learn how to become a national or state park ranger below.
3) Contact your state Department of Parks and Recreation or the National Park Service to request application materials.
Park Ranger Careers and Job Description
Park rangers are law enforcement officers, nature experts, or both. They are charged with protecting our parks, visitors and wildlife. They often work in rural and wilderness settings but can be found in city parks, historical sites, nature preserves and recreation areas. Park rangers share a wealth of knowledge with visitors. They prepare exhibits and informational material about the park, develop conservation programs, and lead tours and nature walks. Park ranger careers also involve conserving the lands they oversee, including studying wildlife behavior and monitoring air and water quality to determine if an ecosystem is in working order.
In larger parks, rangers may search for lost hikers, rescue stranded mountain climbers, supervise fire-fighting crews and tend to injured park visitors. Rangers are also responsible for enforcing park regulations. Park ranger jobs often require adapting to various situations, some of which are urgent or emergencies. The ability to work independently and in groups is especially important. Leadership skills are also very important, as park rangers often have to manage staff and coordinate groups of people.
Park Ranger Salary
The outlook for park ranger jobs depends on economic conditions but is expected to be steady over the next decade. According to indeed.com, full-time U.S. national park rangers earned an average salary of $41,000 in 2011. Park ranger salaries vary depending on the position, and increase with experience. Benefits sometimes include housing, and always require you to work in the great outdoors. Some park ranger positions require a bachelor's degree, and a master's degree is very helpful for advancing to supervisory positions. Recommended courses include business or public administration, law enforcement, park and recreation management, and the natural sciences.
If you want to become a park ranger, request free information from the fully accredited schools below. It only takes a few minutes to fill out a request for information. Good luck in your future career!
Degrees that Will Help You Become a Park Ranger
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Liberty University Online: Liberty University is regionally accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). The Online Education Database has ranked Liberty University among the top 10 online colleges in the nation for two years in a row.
Associate's in Criminal Justice
Bachelor's in Criminal Justice
University of Phoenix: University of Phoenix can help prepare you for careers in the field of criminal justice. University of Phoenix is the largest private university in the country and is dedicated to their students.
Associate of Arts in Criminal Justice
BS in Criminal Justice
MS in Administration of Justice and Security
Information Systems Security Certificate
BA in Biology
BA in Environmental Sciences
BA in Social Science - Criminal Justice
American InterContinental University:
Associates in Criminal Justice Administration
BSCJ - Law Enforcement
BSCJ - Forensic Science
BSCJ - Special Populations
AAS - Criminal Justice
AASCJ - Corrections, Law Enforcement, Private Security
BS - Criminal Justice
BSCJ - Law Enforcement, Computer Crime, Corrections, Homeland Security...
Associate's - Law Enforcement
Bachelor's - Investigation/Law Enforcement
Associate's - Criminal Justice
Associate's - Corrections
Associate's - Crime Scene Evidence
Bachelor's - Criminal Justice
South University: Online Learning
Bachelor's in Criminal Justice - Law Enforcement
Bachelor's in Criminal Justice
Bachelor's in Criminal Justice - Crime Scene Investigation
Bachelor's in Criminal Justice - Cyber Crime
Bachelor's in Criminal Justice - Homeland Security
Bachelor's in Criminal Justice - Juvenile Justice
Ivy Bridge College Online: Ivy Bridge College is affiliated with Tiffin University and is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools Commission.
Associate's of Criminal Justice in Law Enforcement
Baker College Online: Baker College is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association, which is an accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education.
Bachelor's in Criminal Justice
Capella University: The FBI considers Capella University to be a preferred provider of higher education for the FBI National Academy Associates (FBINAA). There are only a handful of schools that hold this distinction.
BS in Public Safety - Criminal Justice
BS in Public Safety - Emergency Management
BS in Public Safety - Homeland Security
BS in Public Safety - Security Management
Request free information from Capella University to learn more.
Colorado Technical University Online:
AS in Criminal Justice - Stonecliffe College Online
AS in Paralegal Studies
BS in Criminal Justice
Keiser University: E-Campus
AA in Criminal Justice
Associate's in Homeland Security
Bachelor's in Criminal Justice
Bachelor's in Homeland Security
Master's in Criminal Justice
Request information to learn more about these as well as other programs at Keiser University.
Strayer University: Accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, which is an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education.
B.S. in Criminal Justice: Criminal Justice Administration
B.S. in Criminal Justice: Homeland Security and Emergency Management
B.S. in Criminal Justice: Homeland Security Technology
B.S. in IS: Homeland Security and Information Systems
Bachelor's - Cybercrime Investigations and Security
Bachelor's - Cybersecurity- Information Assurance
Bachelor's - Economic Crime Investigation
AA in Criminal Justice
Associate's in Paralegal Studies
Bachelor's in Criminal Justice
Request information to learn more about these as well as other programs at Virginia College.
Walden University Online: Walden University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association. The Higher Learning Commission is one of six regional accrediting bodies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
BS in Criminal Justice - Homeland Security
BS in Criminal Justice - Management & Administration
BS in Criminal Justice - Computer Info Syst & Security
BS in Criminal Justice - Crime & Criminals
BS in Criminal Justice - Human Services for CJ
Request information about a Walden University degree program.
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Program outcomes vary according to each institution's specific curriculum and employment opportunities are not guaranteed.