About this Program

This interdisciplinary certificate in Conservation Leadership was developed, and is implement by Â鶹´«Ã½, in collaboration with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) as a part of a long-term, sustainable program of conservation-related service-learning, internships, and leadership programs. The certificate will facilitate the development of the next generation of professionals who can address the challenges for conservation posed by a changing climate and sea level rise.

Program Highlights

  • One of the core courses is a mentored internship, preferably at a USFWS or related facility

  • One course (3 credit hours) is designated as a service-learning course in which the student will be engaged in a project at a USFWS (or related) facility

  • All four mandatory courses are built on learning by experience in research of real-world problems

  • Open to students from all programs, as we aim for a highly diverse set of academic disciplines within the student population

AT A GLANCE
Degree Level
Graduate
Degree Earned
Certificate
Delivery Modes
On-Campus

Careers

Check out these ideas from Â鶹´«Ã½'s Center for Career & Leadership Development and the . A median salary is a midpoint of what people typically earn—half of those surveyed earned above the median salary, and half earned below.

Sustainability Specialists

$75,740 Median Salary

Address organizational sustainability issues, such as waste stream management, green building practices, and green procurement plans.

Environmental Economists

$112,650 Median Salary

Conduct economic analysis related to environmental protection and use of the natural environment, such as water, air, land, and renewable energy resources. Evaluate and quantify benefits, costs, incentives, and impacts of alternative options using economic principles and statistical techniques.

Conservation Scientists

$64,850 Median Salary

Manage, improve, and protect natural resources to maximize their use without damaging the environment. May conduct soil surveys and develop plans to eliminate soil erosion or to protect rangelands. May instruct farmers, agricultural production managers, or ranchers in best ways to use crop rotation, contour plowing, or terracing to conserve soil and water; in the number and kind of livestock and forage plants best suited to particular ranges; and in range and farm improvements, such as fencing and reservoirs for stock watering.

Chief Sustainability Officers

$196,050 Median Salary

Communicate and coordinate with management, shareholders, customers, and employees to address sustainability issues. Enact or oversee a corporate sustainability strategy.

Requirements

What are the requirements to apply for Conservation Leadership at Â鶹´«Ã½?
Students entering the Certificate program in Conservation Leadership should meet the minimum university admission requirements Graduate Admission.
  • All degree-seeking applicants admitted to the certificate program must meet Â鶹´«Ã½ requirements for graduate admission: an earned baccalaureate degree from a regionally-accredited institution or an equivalent degree from a foreign institution. Those whose native language is not English must submit a minimum score of 230 on the computer-based TOEFL or 80 on the TOEFL iBT.

  • Non-degree seeking students are required to have these same credentials, though documentation is not required. Ultimately, students must apply to the program in order to obtain the certificate.

  • The certificate requires four core courses (3 credit hours each) and one elective (3 credit hours).

Cost of Attendance

We believe in providing students with transparent and accessible information about the cost of attendance. 

Review the estimated tuition rates for the 2024-25 academic year (subject to change). Non-resident rates are charged for anyone who is not a current Virginia resident, including international students.

Virginia Resident
Cost Per-Credit $620
Technology Delivered Courses Outside Virginia and/or the United States
Cost Per-Credit $642
Non-Resident
Cost Per-Credit $1,486

Ways to Fund Your Degree

There are a few ways for you to save on the cost of attending Â鶹´«Ã½, including scholarships, assistantships, and student loans. For more details about financial aid at Old Dominion, visit the Financial Aid Office page.

Financial Aid

Financial aid is available to graduate students at Â鶹´«Ã½. Financial aid may be available in the form of University fellowships, tuition grants, and research assistantships. In addition to the financial aid offered by the University, graduate students may be eligible for aid and student loans administered by other agencies. For information about part-time employment, scholarships, and student loans, contact the Office of Student Financial Aid.

Contact

Professor

INNOVATION RESEARCH BLDG, RM 3211 4111 MONARCH WAY
NORFOLK, 23529