How to Become a Park Ranger

1) Start by earning an Associate's or Bachelor's Degree. The most commonly held degrees by park rangers are Business or Public Administration, Law Enforcement, Criminal Justice, Biology or a B.S. in Environmental Sciences. Most departments want their park rangers to have at least an associate's degree.
2) Read more about the requirements for becoming a national or state park ranger below
3) Contact the Department of Parks and Recreation for your state and request application materials

Park Ranger Career & Job Description

Park rangers are charged with protecting our parks 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 offer a wealth of knowledge to 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 the 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 guests. Rangers are also responsible for enforcing park regulations. Park ranger jobs often require adapting to various situations, some of them urgent and emergency related.  The ability to work independently and with a group is especially important, as is leadership skills, as ranger often have to manage 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. Full-time U.S. national park rangers earn about $24,000 to $37,000 annually, depending on experience and responsibilities. Park ranger salaries vary with position and increase with experience.  Benefits sometimes include housing and working 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.

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Degrees that Will Help You Become a Park Ranger

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starLiberty 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.

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Associate's in Criminal Justice
Bachelor's in Criminal Justice

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University of Phoenix Online: 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.

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Associate of Arts in Criminal Justice
BS in Criminal Justice
MS in Administration of Justice and Security
Information Systems Security Certificate

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starAshford University:

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BA in Biology
BA in Environmental Sciences
BA in Social Science - Criminal Justice

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American InterContinental University:

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Associates in Criminal Justice Administration
BSCJ - Law Enforcement
BSCJ - Forensic Science
BSCJ - Special Populations

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Kaplan University:

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AAS - Criminal Justice
AASCJ - Corrections, Law Enforcement, Private Security
BS - Criminal Justice
BSCJ - Law Enforcement, Computer Crime, Corrections, Homeland Security...

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Rasmussen College Online:

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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

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South University: Online Learning

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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

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Bryant & Stratton College : Bryant & Stratton College Online is accredited by the Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, one of the six regional accreditation agencies recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Commission on Recognition of Postsecondary Accreditation.

Associate's in Criminal Justice
Bachelor's in Criminal Justice

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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.

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BS in Public Safety - Criminal Justice
BS in Public Safety - Emergency Management
BS in Public Safety - Homeland Security
BS in Public Safety - Security Management

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Colorado Technical University Online:

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AS in Criminal Justice - Stonecliffe College Online
AS in Paralegal Studies
BS in Criminal Justice

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Everest University Online :

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Associate's | Bachelor's - Criminal Investigations
Associate's | Bachelor's - Criminal Justice
Associate's | Bachelor's - Homeland Security
Associate's | Bachelor's - Paralegal

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Florida Tech University Online:

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Associate's CriminalJustice
Bachelor's - Criminal Justice

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ITT Technical Institute: Online Criminal Justice and Information Technology Degree programs. ITT is accreditated by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS). ACICS is recognized as an independent accrediting agency by the U.S. Department of Education and Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

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AA - Computer Forensics
AA - Criminal Justice
BS - Information Systems Security
BS - Cyber Security
BS - Criminal Justice

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Keiser University: E-Campus

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AA in Criminal Justice
Associate's in Homeland Security
Bachelor's in Criminal Justice
Bachelor's in Homeland Security
Master's in Criminal Justice

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Strayer University: Accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, which is an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education.

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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

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Upper Iowa University: The University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association. UIU offers open enrollment for their Independent Study Programs (distance learning), which means students can enroll and start taking classes anytime.

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BS in Public Administration - Fire Science
BS in Public Administration - Law Enforcement
BS in Public Administration
BS in Criminal Justice

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Utica College Online:

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Bachelor's - Cybercrime Investigations and Security
Bachelor's - Cybersecurity- Information Assurance
Bachelor's - Economic Crime Investigation

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Virginia College:

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AA in Criminal Justice
Associate's in Paralegal Studies
Bachelor's in Criminal Justice

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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.

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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

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