P.S.M. Conservation Biology

Help preserve the species, habitats, and ecosystems of our world.
Degree Type Professional Science Masters
Careers & Salaries Career Outcomes
Delivery Online

UW-Stout's 100% online Professional Science Master's (P.S.M.) in Conservation Biology degree combines flexible coursework and a diverse research focus to address the human impact on threatened and endangered species, habitats and ecosystems around the world.

Our nationally recognized faculty will train you to evaluate and understand conservation practices in ecology, biodiversity, fisheries, watershed management, native species and habitats, global climate change, environmental laws and regulations and natural resource management.

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100% Online: Complete Your Degree at Your Own Pace and Schedule.

Career-Defining Curriculum

Our graduates work as professionals in conservation biology, environmental science, cellular and molecular biology, aquatic and marine science for public and private businesses, government agencies and nonprofit organizations.

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Program Overview

View program plans, credit requirements and course descriptions.

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The unique 18-month distance-learning program prepares you to:

  • Articulate the causes and consequences of anthropogenic disturbances on biodiversity
  • Research and critically interpret scientific literature to formulate hypotheses
  • Develop scientific foundational knowledge of current issues and problems
  • Apply contemporary analytical and experimental design techniques
  • Analyze and predict responses of biological communities to past and future disturbances
  • Assess the potential of conservation strategies to help protect biodiversity
  • Organize and work with diverse stakeholders to address environmental concerns

Use the Request Information form to receive a program summary and learn more about the Professional Science Masters (PSM) degree in Conservation Biology.

Request Information








Customized Tuition & Fees

UW-Stout degree programs using the customized instruction model are designed with the adult learner in mind. If you're comparing UW-Stout's online degree customized instruction (CI) tuition to our competitors, keep in mind:

  • Customized instruction tuition rate includes the textbook rental fee.
  • There are no additional or hidden university-based semester or technology fees.
  • Students in customized instruction programs pay the same rate of tuition regardless of where you live--Wisconsin, California, Texas, or in a foreign country.

More Value for Your Money

Customized Instruction also provides:

  • Program Director/Coordinator: Faculty with academic and industry expertise.
  • Student Services Advisor: One point of contact, providing dedicated support throughout your degree program.
  • Course Sequences & Matrices: Plan ahead with clear program outlines so you know what courses are offered when.
  • Stackable Courses & Programs: Many of our courses and certificates can be applied to our degree programs.
  • Flexibility: Courses are designed to offer the flexibility and convenience working professionals need to get ahead in their careers without sacrificing their current income and responsibilities.

Other universities will present costs and value differently, so make sure you're comparing apples to apples.

Admission Requirements

General UW-Stout Graduate School Application

All prospective graduate students at UW-Stout must follow a standard application process through our Graduate School. Beyond that, each graduate program has specific requirements that must be met to be successfully admitted to the program:

Program-Specific Application Requirements

Eligibility

To be admitted to the P.S.M. Conservation Biology program, you must:

  • Hold a bachelor’s degree in biology, environmental science or a science-related field from an accredited institution.
  • Have earned a GPA of at least 3.0.

Those with a non-science related degree may be admitted if one of the three following conditions are met:

  • Completion of minimum competency course(s) with a grade of B or better,
  • Evidence of equivalent courses,
    or
  • Evidence of professional knowledge in this area. 
Objectives & Outcomes

Program Objectives

A key distinction of the Professional Science Master's degree program is the combination of rigorous scientific theory and skill with training and experience in management and communication skills necessary for a successful professional career. Graduates of the program will have advanced scientific skills and will be able to work effectively with business and industry.

The program combines a rigorous science curriculum with other opportunities to prepare graduates who will demonstrate:

  • strong communication skills in writing and oral presentation,
  • project management skills,
  • a multi/interdisciplinary understanding of organizational goals (e.g., profits, missions),
  • a familiarity with the commercialization profession,
  • the transfer of knowledge into process or process innovation, and
  • a deep understanding and application of ethical considerations.

Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the program will be able to:

  • Explain the importance of biodiversity conservation
  • Articulate (via written and oral means) the causes and consequences of anthropogenic disturbances on biodiversity
  • Contrast different viewpoints from diverse stakeholders, including industry stakeholders, as they relate to conservation issues
  • Research and critically interpret scientific literature to formulate hypotheses and develop a strong working scientific foundational knowledge of current issues and problems
  • Apply contemporary analytical and experimental design techniques
  • Analyze responses of biological communities to past disturbances
  • Predict responses of biological communities to future disturbances
  • Assess the potential of conservation strategies to help protect biodiversity
  • Recommend possible mitigation strategies
  • Organize and work with diverse stakeholders to address environmental concerns
Program Advisory Committee

Advisory Committee Members

SaraAngerCareer Development Manager, Career ServicesUW-Stout
ChristinaBaschNoxious Weed Eradication SpecialistMinnesota Department of Agriculture
Michael BessertProfessor; Program DirectorUW-Stout
Julie BestonAssistant ProfessorUW-Stout
DanielFreedmanDean, CSTEMMUW-Stout
KeithGillandAssistant ProfessorUW-Stout
SarahHagedornAnimal Facility Manager, Department of BiologyUW-Oshkosh
Bill JamesDistinguished Scientist, Center for Limnology Research & RehabilitationUW-Stout
InnisfreeMcKinnonAssociate ProfessorUW-Stout
LindsayOlsonWater Quality SpecialistDunn County Division of Land and Water Conservation
Buzz SorgeLake Management Planner (Ret.)Wisconsin DNR
Rob StrandForesterWisconsin DNR
Ka YingVangSoil ConservationistUSDA - Dunn County
AnnaVarianEnvironmental ScientistStantec
Jay WalkerExecutive DirectorGreat Lakes Aquarium

Conservation Biology

All Conservation Biology News
PHOTO ESSAY: An Un-Belize-able Venture into the Neotropics Featured Image

PHOTO ESSAY: An Un-Belize-able Venture into the Neotropics

Discover what Environmental & Conservation Science students do on location in Belize in our Natural History of the Neotropics class.
University’s energy conservation project approved Featured Image

University’s energy conservation project approved

New array of solar panels part of UW-Stout’s commitment to be carbon-neutral by 2050
Winter science course takes students on eye-opening tour of Belize Featured Image

Winter science course takes students on eye-opening tour of Belize

For Brianna O’Brien, it wasn’t just when class members hiked four miles up a mountain, guided by a naturalist, to breathtaking views of a double waterfall.