BA in Fisheries and Wildlife Science

The Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences degree (B.A. or B.S.) prepares you for careers in wildlife and fisheries management with state and federal agencies and conservation organizations. Graduates are qualified for federal positions with agencies such as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service, Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Geological Survey, and others. Common conservation organizations include Ducks Unlimited, Pheasants Forever, Delta Waterfowl, and The Nature Conservancy. The degree also prepares you for higher academic degrees. The curriculum allows you to meet the certification requirements of the American Fisheries Society and The Wildlife Society. You have the choice of majoring in the Fisheries Option, Wildlife Option, or Conservation Law Enforcement Option.

Multiple field trips involving hands-on experience are taken in all fisheries and wildlife classes. Faculty strongly encourage students to get summer work experience through fisheries and wildlife internships and actively help students obtain those summer positions. Valley City State University biology faculty have connections with many area agencies such as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Wetland Management District, Fish Hatchery, United States Geological Survey (USGS) Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center, and North Dakota Game and Fish Department. Internships provide you with great practical experience and make our graduates more competitive in the job market. Guest lecturers from various agencies often visit classrooms to lecture on management issues or discuss employment opportunities.